DCI Magazine Fall, 2015

DrumCorps

Fall 2015 | Vol. 10 No. 1

The Magazine of Marching Music’s Major League™

International Stepping Up To

MARCHING MUSIC’S MAJOR LEAGUE ™

Everything you need to know about auditioning for a DCI drum corps

Be a Part of the Action in DrumLine Battle & SoundSport DCI’S RECORD-SETTING SEASON AN EXHIBITION IN INSPIRATION NOW HEAR THIS…(SAFELY)

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FAll 2015

DrumCorps International The Official Magazine of Marching Music’s Major League Volume 10 Issue 1

Dan Acheson Executive Director/CEO Bob Jacobs Director, Marketing John DeNovi Director, Sales & Business Development Chris Weber Sr. Manager, Communications

Custom Published By: In Tune Partners, LLC Irwin Kornfeld CEO

All about auditions: Page 14.

Will Edwards President Emile Menasché Editor-in-Chief

Features

Jackie Jordan Creative Director

You Can March with the Best!

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Michael R. Vella Production Manager

By dianne Spoto Ackerman

Barbara Boughton Business Manager Photography Johnny Gilbert, Jessica Skogh, Linda and Sid Unser Contributors Debbie Galante Block, Michael Boo, Kate Koenig, Danny Miles, Dianne Spoto-Ackerman Drum Corps International is the leader in producing events for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching ensembles for student musicians and performers. Editorial and business contact is 110 W. Washington St., Suite C, Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone: 317-275-1212, fax: 317-713-0690.

Drum Corps International Magazine is published twice a year. Nonprofit organization U.S. postage paid at Long Prairie, MN permit #710. Copyright ©2015 Drum Corps International. All rights reserved.

Each season, thousands of performers take their first steps with a Drum Corps International group. Here’s how you can be one of them.

21 Beyond the Boundaries

With flexible and inclusive rules, SoundSport and DrumLine Battle are bringing new people to the marching arts. By Michael Boo

Departments 5 Sidelines Record-setting attendence... The Blue Devils

In the thick of DrumLine Battle: Page 21.

can’t miss with the Swiss... Intercontinental acclaim for SoundSport and DrumLine Battle... Super ticket packages for 2016... and more!

10 Gear Guide

Protect your hearing with these musician-friendly earplugs.

26 Commitment to Excellence

FREE Players gave fans and DCI members an exhibition in inspiration with a special Allentown performance.

30 Stepping Off

Video audition do’s and don’ts. www.dci.org

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NEWS AND NOTES FROM DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL

2016 SUPER 3 TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE NOW Judging by the record-breaking attendance in Indianapolis this past summer, good seats for next season’s Drum Corps International World Championships at Lucas Oil Stadium may be in higher demand than ever before.

You can insure your place in front of the action with one of DCI’s Super 3 ticket packages, which include reserved tickets to the 2016 DCI World Championship Prelims (Thursday, Aug. 11), Semifinals (Friday, Aug. 12) and Finals (Saturday, Aug. 13). The packages are available at four pricing/ seating levels and will be offered only until the end of October.

Because tickets are processed through the mail, Drum Corps International encourages fans to make their plans as early as possible.

Go to DCI.org/ super3 for pricing, ordering details, and a seat locator that shows the on-field view.

Record Crowds Punctuate DCI’s New Indy Deal T

hey say, “home is where the heart is.” And for Drum Corps International, home, heart—and the World Championships—will remain in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future after mayor Greg Ballard, Visit Indy president & CEO Leonard Hoops, and DCI executive director & CEO Dan Acheson announced an agreement to keep DCI’s headquarters and World Championships in the Circle City until at least 2028.

“We are pleased to extend our commitment to Indianapolis and continue the many mutually beneficial relationships we enjoy here,” Acheson said. “Since our founding in 1972, Drum Corps International has been furthering our mission to provide a lifechanging experience for young people through the art of marching music performance. The City of Indianapolis provides the perfect environment.”

“The City of Indianapolis is proud to be home to Drum Corps International’s headquarters and annual World Championships,” Ballard added. “We are especially appreciative of the strong partnership that has developed since moving DCI here, and we are excited to continue building on that relationship over the next 10 years.”

The August 6 announcement put an exclamation point on a record-breaking season for DCI. Attendance was higher throughout the tour, but especially in Indy, where the three-day World Championships topped 2014 figures by 16.3 percent overall and a whopping 18.7 percent at Saturday night’s Finals. That, in addition to SoundSport and DrumLine Battle events outside the stadium, has made the partnership valuable for both the organization and the city.

“The future is bright for Drum Corps International,” Acheson concluded. “We a r e h o n o r e d t o c o nt i nu e t o c a l l Indianapolis home as DCI grows.” www.dci.org

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Sidelines SoundSport and DrumLine Battle Expand Their Foothold Overseas

Back in the Sunshine State

Talk about your international relations! DCI’s SoundSport and DrumLine Battle are enjoying a big growth spurt in the U.S. (see page 21), but these two highenergy music competitions are also on the rise overseas. During halftime of the Aug. 30 All-Ireland Football Semifinal, more than 80,000 fans at Dublin’s Croake Park watched a DrumLine Battle between teams from Dublin and County Mayo. The following

Blue Devils Go On “Secret” Mission Basel, Switzerland, was rocking in July when the city’s own Top Secret Drum Corps met up with Blue Devils International for a shared performance to celebrate the 10th annual Basel Military Tattoo—an event that grew out of Top Secret’s status as one of Europe’s most entertaining drum lines. According to Blue Devils executive director David Gibbs, the meeting was one of the prime motivators for BDI’s European tour this July. “We know how popular Top Secret is in Europe and throughout the world,” he says. ”The members were thrilled—both groups had a high mutual respect.

Coming together to perform on this kind of stage was a once in a lifetime experience [for] both fans and performers.” View the performance at tinyurl.com/BDTopSecret.

week, the two ensembles were in action in Northern Ireland to mark SoundSport’s debut at the Belfast Tattoo, an event where Ulster marching tradition meets modern performance. In mid-September, DrumLine Battle spanned climates and continents with events in England (at the Drum Corps United Kingdom Championships) and Guatemala, where Patria Drum & Bugle Corps was crowned Best of Show. As we went to press, both formats were getting ready for their debut in Lithuania. Learn more at soundsport.com and drumlinebattle.com.

Audition Season is upon us: November marks the start of audition

camps for many DCI groups. Learn more at DCI.org/audition.

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(florida) shutterstock; (Top Secret) courtesy of the Blue Devils

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hile the official schedule for Drum Corps International’s 2016 Summer Tour won’t be unveiled until November 18, we do have some hot news involving one of the hottest states in the union: Next season, DCI will return to Florida for the first time since 2012. Venues have yet to be confirmed, but as of this writing, events are planned 1983 Garfield Cadets for the Jacksonville area, along with the central and southern parts of the state. The Sunshine State has a rich DCI legacy: The Garfield Cadets began a historic run of three straight World Championships in 1983 at Miami’s Orange Bowl, while Orlando has hosted the World Championships four times. You can expect things to be muy caliente. Stay posted to DCI.org/schedule throughout the off-season for the latest schedule, tickets, lineups, and more.

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Gear Guide

By Kate Koenig

Gear for Your Ears A Plug for Hearing Safety

Drum corps members are becoming more aware of the need to protect their ears on and off the field, where prolonged exposure to noise can lead to hearing loss. In the past, musicians often shied away from ear protection because it affected the sound, but many of today’s models, like these from Etymotic, Vic Firth, Earasers, and DUBS, protect ears and preserve musical clarity.

EARASERS MUSICIANS HIFI EARPLUGS

VIC FIRTH HIGH-FIDELITY EARPLUGS

Filtering approximately 19dB, the “V” variable filter in Earasers is designed to target the most damaging range of frequencies (at around 3150Hz), while reducing higher and lower ends less heavily. The filter is placed closer to the eardrum, allowing sound to travel further naturally to better achieve sound clarity.

Vic Firth High-Fidelity Earplugs evenly reduce sound by 20dB across the frequency spectrum. While noise intensity is decreased, higher frequencies remain clear—leaving ears protected without the loss of musical or vocal nuances. The reusable, ready-fit plugs come with a small carrying case and black neck cord.

ETYMOTIC MP•9-15 MUSIC•PRO ELECTRONIC EARPLUGS Constant noise reduction can be inconvenient for switching between high volume performance and low volume conversation. The electronics of the MP 9-15s automatically reduce noise by 9 or 15dB when levels are unsafe—otherwise, users hear naturally. Reduction can also be adjusted manually, or used to enhance soft sounds.

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DUBS ACOUSTIC FILTERS DUBS’s combination of high- and low-pass filters match the ear’s unique response curve to both loudness and frequency. With a reported noise reduction rating of 12dB, DUBS increase reduction to 24 dB when the ears are most at risk, and are designed for a fashionable look.

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STAND OUT!

You Can

MARCH WITH THE BEST

DCI corps directors explain how to ace your audition and step into Marching Music’s Major League League.

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by Dianne Spoto Ackerman

Every June, thousands of high school and college students embark on the Drum Corps International Tour. By the time it ends in August, many will describe their DCI summer as the most intense—and fun—experience they’ve ever had. And each fall and winter, DCI groups start looking for members for the following season. Each year, over 50 percent of DCI performers are first-year corps members.

You can be one of them. You’ll train harder than you ever have before—and show thousands of fans what it means to be among the world’s best marching musicians and color guard performers. Most important you’ll reach a level of artistry and athleticism you never thought possible.

So, how do you get involved? Start by visiting DCI.org/audition, where you’ll find audition dates and locations and contact information for more than 40 units from across the U.S. and Canada.

DCI corps compete in two classes. World Class ensembles are large groups that tour extensively across the country. Open Class groups can be slightly smaller and typically follow an abbreviated tour schedule. Visit the corps’ homepages and connect with them on social media to learn about their style, repertoire, and touring schedule. If you find a fit, you’re ready for step two—the audition.

DCI auditions aren’t just “tryouts.” They’re designed to give prospective members a feel for drum corps life—along with a chance to learn from top instructors. So what do you need to know before going in—and how can you make the most of your opportunity? We asked a panel of corps directors for the answers.

Who is eligible?

Auditions are open to brass players, percussionists, color guard performer, drum majors, and front ensemble or “pit” musicians. (Today’s DCI front ensembles can include stationary and keyboard percussion, electronic instruments, and more.)

DCI’s age limit is 21, though members who turn 22 on or after June 1 are eligible to march during that year. “The age range most appropriate would be 17 to 21,” says Jim Coates, executive director of Carolina Crown. That’s not to say you can’t get in if you’re under 17; but to do so, you need to show maturity to match your talent. “We want to be sure they can handle being on tour for eight weeks, says Pacific Crest executive director Stuart Pompel. “The schedule is grueling, and the days are demanding.”

When Can I audition?

While specific dates vary from corps to corps, most auditions are held between November and January. Many audition camps happen over a single weekend, but some groups require multiple auditions. “Crown auditions are held over a three-month time frame,” Coates says. “It is recommended that applicants attend at least two camps to show skills and development over time.”

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What are corps looking for in members?

“Talent, believe it or not, is not the top thing we are seeking,” says Pompel. “We want the right balance of talent, desire, and maturity. We need to be sure that a student, especially a younger one, can handle being on the road, away from home, the rigors of practice, and handling critique. We also want students who have an inner drive—who want to be involved in, and have a passion for the marching arts.” Sodawalla adds that “being able to adapt is important, as various techniques will be used.” He also advises auditioners to “be in shape, as this is an athletic activity, as well. Brass and battery percussionists should be prepared to play and move. Most importantly, be teachable, show progress, and have a drive to work hard and perform.”

Where are auditions held?

Auditions are usually for one corps at a time, and are held near each

What should I practice and how can I learn it ahead of time?

Well...it depends. “Audition requirements will vary for each corps,” says Legends executive director Ibe Sodawalla. “Most [groups] will have materials and a packet that will be worked on during the audition camps. Some may ask for individual auditions as part of the process, with something to be prepared that best demonstrates the performer’s ability.”

How good do you have to be to get in?

Again—it depends. Some (though not all) Open Class and even some World Class groups are willing to train beginners.

“Brass and percussion students should have ample training on their instruments,” Pompel says. “It’s recommended that color guard members have experience with performance through indoor guard or marching band, along with advanced dance skills.” To help you prepare for your audition, most DCI groups will provide a set of detailed guidelines and resources.

These can include “exercises, music, and recommended skills,” Coates says.

“Musicians should make sure to rehearse marching and playing at the same time.

Guard members will receive a detailed explanation of exercises and should be prepared to perform at a high level.”

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organization’s headquarters. Groups that recruit members from outside their home area may also set up in-person auditions around the country and/or accept video auditions. Two California-based World Class groups, the Blue Devils and Pacific Crest, recently launched an innovative program called the December Experience Camp. The camp includes “combined auditions for Pacific Crest and Blue Devils, all in one camp weekend,” Pompel says. “So let’s say you are auditioning for brass. If you don’t get into the Blue Devils you may be able to come into the Pacific Crest.”

THOUGH SOME MEMBERS may be chosen after

WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

67% of members make a World Class corps on their first audition.

25% make it after two attempts.

AUDITION COSTS are typically around $100-$125. For in-person auditions at corps camps, the fee covers training by professional instructors, all materials, food, and lodging (usually at the local high school or location of corps rehearsals).

Video auditions may also require a fee.

HOW MANY CHANCES DO I GET? one audition, those who show promise but don’t make the cut the first time can also get a second chance. “We rate and rank the students,” Pomel says. “We accept 60-70 percent into the corps right away [by December]. But we also give a second group an opportunity to grow. We know that being at camp for the first time can be scary and that a good performer can have a bad weekend. So we call some back in January to see what they can do, and what they accomplished over Christmas break.”

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ASIDE FROM A CHANCE TO GET INTO A DRUM CORPS, WHAT WILL I GET OUT OF THE EXPERIENCE? THE ANSWER, for many, is a sense of belonging. “Students are at an event where every single person cares as much as they do,” says Pompel. “No one is there to get PE credit! Many create lasting friendships, and walk away

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thinking ‘Great, I am not weird! There are others like me!’ The only reason they are there is because they share a common passion for performance excellence.” Camaraderie is not the only perk of auditioning for the corps. “Being

surrounded by high quality instructors who really understand the pedagogy of their instrument is a [deeply meaningful] experience,” says Pompel. “[They] are getting a level of instruction that is top notch.”

YEAR AFTER YEAR

THE BEST PLAY THE BEST

World Class Finalists: Blue Devils - Gold Medalist Carolina Crown - Silver Medalist Bluecoats - Bronze Medalist The Cadets Santa Clara Vanguard Blue Knights Phantom Regiment Madison Scouts The Cavaliers Boston Crusaders Blue Stars Crossmen High Percussion Caption: Blue Devils - World Class Vangaurd Cadets - Open Class

Other World Class Zildjian Corps: Troopers The Academy Spirit of Atlanta Oregon Crusaders Mandarins Cascades Jersey Surf Pioneer

Open Class Gold Medalist: Vangaurd Cadets

Š2015 Avedis Zildjian Company

Zildjian would like to congratulate the Blue Devils - Gold Medalist and Best Percussion, World Class along with the other finalists.

Calgary Stampede Showband (Calgary, Alberta)

Beyond the

BOUNDRIES Caption

SoundSport and DrumLine Battle are bringing new people into the world of marching music.

Are you ready to join? by Michael Boo hen Drum Corps International launched its SoundSport and DrumLine Battle initiatives in 2013, one of the goals was to encourage more people to get involved in musical competition, regardless of instrument, style, age, location, or budget.

And if the growth of both activities is any indication, that goal is being met—and then some. Before the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis this past summer, 32 ensembles—and more than 1,000 performers—took part in the pre-Finals SoundSport and DrumLine Battle showdown. Combined, 47 groups (and more than www.dci.org

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Diplomats (Windsor, Ontario) Chien Kuo HS Marching Band (Taipei City, Taiwan)

1,500 people) performed in at least one SoundSport or DrumLine Battle event. That’s a 50 percent increase over 2014, and the number is expected to grow with several additional units already announcing plans to join in 2016 What’s behind the growth? “SoundSport is a fun and easy way to start the competitive process while building a program, and it’s a motivational tool for young kids as well,” says Bob Thwaites of the Diplomats, a SoundSport group based in Windsor, Ontario. “Rules and guidelines are easy and flexible and instrumentation is open to any and all. From novice to pros, SoundSport offers a slot for any group.”

Thwaites, a veteran of Canadian drum corps, says he formed the Diplomats because he wanted to pass on the enjoyment he got from marching while growing up. Only one of the group’s 31 members knew how to play an instrument before joining; the others learned from scratch from Diplomats staff. Yet they were able to participate in both competitions in 2015 (SoundSport for the second time; DrumLine Battle for the first).

“Ever y member, no matter “The members found it exciting their age, has an important

to go head-tohead with other ensembles.”

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Xili Primary School (Shenzhen, China)

role to play,” he says. “We have kids who are too small to carry a drum, so they play cymbals or perform on stationary equipment until they grow strong enough to march. We’ve got two trumpet players, ages 6 and 8, who can already play close to two octaves, and we have a 14-year-old snare drummer who accepted my challenge to perform at the DCI Performers Showcase.”

Mixing It Up

While they’re a great entrée for newcomers, both formats are also attracting experienced marching performers. Among the competitors at Indy’s 2015 DrumLine Battle were several ensembles connected to DCI corps and a contingent from the Calgary Stampede Showband—an ensemble that has performed exhibitions at a number of high-profile marching music events in the past. “The members found it exciting to go head-to-head with other ensembles from Canada, then compete with groups from DCI corps,” says assistant director Ryan Hancock. “[DCI groups] are the corps that our members look up to and aspire to be a part of one day.”

According to Le Ron J. Carlton, assistant director of the Columbus (Ohio) Saints Drum & Bugle Corps, such aspirations can be a powerful motivator, especially for younger performers. He describes one 11-year-old Saints member who only began play i ng last fall, but was so i nspired by SoundSport that he began taking after-school lessons with Saints staff at the local Boys & Girls Club. He says that taking part in SoundSport is helping his organization “provide low cost music education and an affordable experience that’s accessible to anyone who wants to work hard.”

One of those hard-working members is Kim White, a 21-year-old baritone player and a student at Ohio State University. “The best thing about SoundSport is its accessibility,” she says.

“You don’t have to be within a narrow age window and you don’t need a lot of money backing your group.”

Sonus Brass Theater (Woodbridge, Virginia)

Oregon Crusaders (Portland, Oregon)

GET INVOLVED “It’s an activity that will welcome you with open arms,” adds 26-year-old Saints guard member Cayse Stepp, who appreciates the ability to train and perform while working at her regular job. “If someone claims they don’t have time to be involved, they are just making excuses!”

Whether you’re interested in the face-to-face percussion competition of DrumLine Battle or the “anything goes” (as far as instruments) approach of SoundSport, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Learn more at soundsport.com and drumlinebattle.com.

we’re in competition with. At the end of the Battle, win or lose, everybody has a big smile on their face and embraces their competitors as brothers and sisters—or as best friends Fitting the Schedule would do after a neighborhood game of touch football.”

Teams that enter SoundSport and DrumLine Battle compePerhaps that’s because both SoundSport and DrumLine tition don’t have to commit for an entire summer. They can Battle focus as much on entertaining fans as they do on scorappear regionally as their budget allows. The Scorpions—a ing with judges. “It creates a unique performance opportu37-member outf it from Desert Edge High School in nity,” Mulvanny says. “The audience is so close you can pracGoodyear, Arizona—performed in their home state and tically reach out and touch them—something we don’t get on California. At some events, the Scorpions shared the field the football field.” with several of the top drum corps in DCI, an experience “Playing to a crowd that is only a few short feet from us— 17-year-old marimbist Lily Whitler describes as “surreal.” and having them get involved with our performance—is both When their season ended in June, Whitler and four fellow intimidating and exhilarating,” adds Saints’ 20-year-old bariScorpions were able to jump right into DCI by joining the tone player Adam Martini. “I loved every second of it.”

Open Class Blue Saints. “Because SoundSport is open to all And if you’re thinking of joining an existing group or ages and all instruments, it gives anyone the chance to join,” forming one of your own, Saints’ director Carlton has some she says. “No matter what the group is, SoundSport is an advice: Just do it. “It’s designed to be low impact and scaleincredible marching arts experience.” able, meaning you can go on the field with ten people and And while the formats have brought new groups into the perform a standstill show of popular music, or you can be arena, it’s also giving estaban alumni powerhouse like lished DCI organizations Star United. You can be an some addit ional perforup-and-com ing Open mance options. Colt Cadets Class corps like Guardians, have part icipated in or you can use SoundSport DrumLine Battle events to reclaim lost history, like (including the one in Indy) Southwind.” since it started in 2013. “We The key, Carlton says, is enjoy Dr u m Li ne Bat t le to embrace t he creat ive because it is a break from freedom. “SoundSport is the regimented and strictly what you make it. Some adjudicated activity we’ve may have difficult y with done a l l su m mer,” say s the concept due to its open Gold director Matt Mulvanny. format, to which I respond, (San Diego, California) “It’s an opportunity to loos‘Take off the reins, create en the reins and just have your own experience, and “Take off the reins, create your own some fun with the groups entertain the crowd.’”

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experience, and entertain the crowd.”

Commitment to Excellence

By Debbie Galante Block

instruments, and began to perform in public.

A 2013 show at Disney World in Orlando brought nat iona l ex posu re a nd paved t he way for an appearance at t he 2014 Winter Guard International Percussion World Championships in Dayton, Ohio— eventually leading to this summer’s show at the Eastern Classic.

The FREE Players’ program in Allentown, “The Ice Kingdom,” reflected the group’s ongoing creative growth. “It was the first time we stepped out and told a story on the football field,” Calhoun says of the show, which was inspired by the Disney film Frozen. “We told the tale of the forbidden romance between the ice princess and her one true love.” With instrumentation that included percussion, guitar, bass guitar, and keyboards, “it was [also] the first time we were able to [use] melody in addition to percussion and rhythm.”

For Calhoun, one of A llentown’s most memorable moments happened off the field, when DCI members volunteered to help the FREE Players move their gear. “It was very difficult for some of our members to go up the hill with of their equipment,” he says. “DCI put the word out, and Musicians with special needs wow fans all the Mandarins sent their entire 150-member corps to help and corps members in their DCI debut us. We were really embraced like family at DCI. It was like n late July, 65 performers took the field at the DCI we were brothers and sisters.”

Eastern Classic in Allentown, Pa., and put on a show that With the Eastern Classic fresh in their memories, the few in the audience will ever forget. It was also a historic FREE Players started preparing for appearances at the moment for the FREE Players Drum Corps—the Roxbu r y M a rc h i ng Ba nd C l a s sic i n first special needs unit to ever perform as part of the “We were really Succasunna, N.J. and the Newsday Marching embraced like Drum Corps International Tour.

Band Festival in Uniondale, N.Y. this fall. In “We have been building a relationship with DCI family at DCI. It the future, Calhoun hopes to return to the for some time,” says group director Brian Calhoun, was like we WGI World Championships, march in the who started the ensemble as part of the theater prowere brothers Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and cong r a m at Fa m i l y R e s ide nc e s a nd E s s e nt i a l tinue the connection with DCI. and sisters. ” Enterprises, Inc. (FREE) in Old Bethpage, N.Y., a And for Calhoun, that connection is deepnot-for-profit for people with autism, Down syner than performances themselves. “The musidrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and cianship, production, theater, athleticism...It’s other disabilities. “All the members are diehard fans wonderful for these men and women to be of DCI. They have their favorite corps and were able to come together to showcase all of those real excited to be on the same bill [with them]. different talents and skills, which help them in They were especially honored to have the opportuevery different part of life,” he says. “Being a nity to follow the Blue Devils.” part of drum corps has helped them grow so With a drum line, color guard, and front ensemmuch. The main component our members ble, the unit in Allentown was a far cry from the share with these World Class corps is the five-member group Calhoun founded in 2010 when unwavering passion, heart, and determination their only instruments were drum sticks and pads. to achieve excellence; especially at an event Brian Calhoun with members of the FREE But things grew steadily from there; the group like the DCI Eastern Classic. No boundaries Players Drum Corps added members and staff, raised funds for real between the corps exist.”

Members of the Mandarins with the FREE Players this past August in Allentown

FREE Players Shine at the Eastern Classic

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Photos courtesy of Brian Calhoun

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Stepping Off

Video Auditions

Five ways to improve your chances for passing your screen test.

More and more Drum Corps International groups are accepting video auditions, giving people who may not be able to attend an audition camp the opportunity to try out for their favorite groups. A video alone won’t get you in— corps directors still prefer live auditions. But it can be a great way to get feedback from the group and may get you an invitation to try out in person. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a budding Quentin Tarantino to get your message across. Here are some tested and true ways to help your video shoot give you a shot in the spotlight.

Make It Simple Remember, you’re auditioning as a drum corps performer, not as a filmmaker. Elaborate production, effects, and camera work are not only a waste of time, they can actually work against you because they can distract the viewer from the most important thing—your performance. A single camera on a tripod will work well. If possible, have a friend help you frame the shot and operate the recorder so that you can focus on your performance.

Always do a test run before doing your master take.

You (Probably) Have What It Takes A good video audition needs clear sound and a clean, focused image, but it doesn’t need to look like a Hollywood blockbuster. You could hire a professional, but consumer-level cameras (including smartphones and mobile devices) can work just as well. For many, the DIY approach also means less pressure because you can keep trying until you’re happy with your take.

Keep It Real There are plenty of digital audio and video editing tools available these days, but for the purposes of your audition, forget that they exist. Of course you should chop away excess footage from before and after your performance, but edits that correct mistakes or combine several performances into one good take are clearly out of bounds. Drum corps evaluators want to see and hear an accurate representation of your ability as a performer, and they have enough experience to notice when a recording has been edited or when a performance has been corrected.

Stay In the Frame At in-person auditions, staff members don’t just get to hear you play, they get to see you too. The video should be clear, in focus, and should show your technique and posture. This can be particularly challenging for percussionists because a straight ahead angle can hide the drummer. So here’s where you might try to get a little fancy by using an overhead camera pointing down at the drums.

Take a Sound Approach As with the visuals, the audio quality doesn’t have to be professional, but it should be clear. If possible, use an external microphone instead of the camera’s built-in mic. You can place it near the instrument, which reducing room ambience gives you more control over the sound. Set the recorder’s audio inputs for a healthy signal, but don’t push the levels so high that the recording distorts on your loudest passages. Do a test run and listen carefully. If the overall levels are good but some notes sound boomy or weak, try moving the mic. A few inches is often all it takes to improve the sound.

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