Most questions potential members have are answered here. If you have a question, chances are someone else
has asked it before and the answer is in here somewhere. If not, feel free to contact us at director@7thregiment.org
What is drum corps?
See our general info page.
Do I have to live in CT to be a member?
Nope.
How do I become a member?
First, check out our how to join page. This gives a fairly thorough description of the process. Many questions about auditions are answered within this FAQ. Beyond that, feel free to contact email us at director@7thregiment.org
What is the time commitment?
As an Open Class corps, the commitment is much less intense than a World Class summer. You'll still be able to live at home and work a part time job, take classes, or whatever else you had planned for the summer, while still taking part in a top-notch corps. Of course, that means that between camps you'll need to spend time practicing your marching and music! During the winter and early spring camps are held one weekend a month. Later April or early May, we may have a rehearsal more often on weekends to start preparing our field show. In mid June the season kicks into gear and you'll be with the corps every weekend. Depending on your section, you may also have an occasional evening rehearsal during the week. The schedule isn't complete yet, but there may also be an intensive 2 week period with a couple "band camp"-esque days of rehearsal and short tour. During this time you'll be living with the drum corps and learning what drum corps is all about!
What is a camp like?
Basically, you'll get to the rehearsal site Friday night, sleep there that night and Saturday night, and be released on Sunday afternoon. The time between will be spent in intensive rehearsal where you'll learn all the basics of marching and playing that you'll need to be able to perform the show at the highest level possible. Expect to spend a good deal of time on the fundamentals of playing and marching, 'cause that's what's going to make us look and sound clean when the summer rolls around! See the camp page for more specific info.
What if it interferes with winter guard/winter percussion/band concerts/etc.?
Our policy is that your school music program comes first. Use common sense about it though. If you have a concert Friday night, you can still come to the rest of the camp afterwards. Likewise for winter percussion competitions. Be sure to get in touch with your caption head before hand so they don't think you're just skipping rehearsal. Color guard will be slightly different. Auditions for 'Kinetic', our new winter guard, and for the drum corps will take place at the December camp. All guard members should come to the camps, while winter guard members will have additioinal rehearsals to prepare for their shows. If your school has a winter guard, it's highly recommended that you participate.
What if I'm still in school when the summer season starts/what if my college orientation takes place when I'll be with the drum corps?
We carefully build our schedule to avoid these types of conflicts, but they still sometimes occur. Don't stress about it too much, they can usually be worked out, and we do so on a case-by-case basis.
What if I need to miss a rehearsal?
Contact your caption head. They will help you figure out possible ways around the conflict or excuse you from the rehearsal if no solution can be found. Make sure to contact your caption head! Advance notice is critical for the staff to plan rehearsal. For instance, it would make no sense to work on that big low brass feature if half the baritone section is going to be missing. Your caption head will pass the message on to the appropriate parties.
How strict are you about attendance?
Absence from rehearsal seriously impedes on the groups ability to improve and get things done, not to mention that you miss any changes or additions to the show made during the rehearsal you miss. It is extremely important for you to be at rehearsal. Every effort should be made to deal with conflicts. Skipping rehearsal without reason and prior notice is unacceptable and is a good way to tick off your section, your drum major, and your staff. A drum corps thrives when all members show commitment and dedication to the corps. We expect no less.
Will the drum corps provide housing for me in the summer?
The drum corps will house you during camps and during tour. Often members that live a great distance away (Canada for instance) work out housing with families of members that live in the area. The corps will certainly help facilitate a solution like that, but we can't afford to pay for your housing outside of rehearsal weekends and tour.
How much does it cost to be a member?
See our tuition and fees page.
What if I can't afford it?
Lots of fundraising and sponsorship opportunities will be available to help offset membership fees. Sometimes scholarship situations present themselves. The bottom line is that the purpose of the organization is to provide an exciting marching music experience! If there is a financial issue of some kind it's not going to keep you from marching. We're here to help, just let us know and we can probably find a solution of some kind!
Where does that money go?
The general membership fees go towards food and facility cost at camps, transportation, uniforms, equipment, professional instruction, housing and food on tour…the list goes on and on. If you divide the cost of operating by the number of members, it costs thousands of dollars per member to keep the organization above water. We ask you to contribute a fairly small part of that (without breaking your checkbook). The rest of it comes from fundraising and sponsorships. That said, if you know a person or organization that may be willing to help a
non-profit youth organization, please check out our support page and let us know!
Do I need to prepare anything for the audition?
Brass and percussion music audition - Please prepare something short to play for the staff in your individual audition. This can be a solo, an etude, an exercise, or even just a little tune. Whatever shows off your playing. It doesn't really matter what you play, as long as we get a chance to hear you. Make sure that you stay tuned to the "members only" section of the website as your caption heads will have posted additional material for you to bring to the camp. Familiarize yourself with this material but if it seems overwhelming don't worry!
Color guard - The staff will be assessing you over the course of the weekend in rehearsal, no need to prepare anything, just be sure to wear appropriate clothing and shoes so we can see what you're doing!
Do I need to bring my own equipment to the audition?
If you would prefer to audition on your own instrument, feel free to bring it. For the majority of the camp we will be using our own equipment to give you the most authentic drum corps experience possible. Horn players please bring your own mouthpiece, and drummers should be sure to bring sticks or mallets appropriate to whichever drum you intend to audition on. Color guard; please bring a 6-foot flag pole with a silk.
Can I audition on my band instrument?
Absolutely. We want you to be as comfortable as possible with the equipment so there aren't any distractions that would affect your playing. You're welcome to audition on your concert horn. That said, please audition on a brass instrument. It'd be very difficult to get a picture of your brass playing if you audition on clarinet!
What key are your horns in?
Our horns are in the key of G. This means that the fingering system and the names of the notes are exactly the same, but the low brass and sopranos (trumpets) sound lower than you're used to and the mellophones sound a step higher than the band mellophones in F. We have qualified educators on our brass staff who have played on these instruments before while still maintaining their "concert chops," and would be happy to field any questions you might have.
What if I'm a woodwind player, but want to march corps?
The activity may not include woodwinds, but that doesn't mean there's no place for you! Many woodwind players transfer to another instrument to march. As we're primarily an educational organization, we're more than willing to teach you how to play, as long as you're willing to put in the work to learn! Whether the percussion piques your interest, the spinning flags catch your eye, or the horns are calling your name, we can find a way to make it happen. It would greatly benefit you to start learning before the audition, however. Private lessons are the best way to learn. If that's not an option, grab a friend that knows how to do it and get them to teach you a little. If you're really in a jam, give the caption head a call. They're all educators and are first and foremost interested in you learning. They will help you figure out a solution. Don't let that reed in your mouth keep you from being part of the world of drum corps!
Can guys audition for the color guard?
Of course! There is no gender barrier on ANY section.
Can I audition on more than one instrument (snare and bass drum, trumpet and mellophone, etc)?
Yes, although we'd encourage you not to do so. It will be easier for us to make an accurate assessment if you stick to the instrument that you're most comfortable with. Certainly let us know that you're capable and willing to switch, though, that's great info for us to have!
Can I audition for more than one section (pit and drum line, guard and horn line, etc)?
Yes, however we strongly advise against it. Doing so would require you to bounce back and forth between rehearsals and impede our ability to get an accurate picture of your abilities in either section. Without a good feel for your abilities, it's very difficult to make the decision to offer you a spot. Definitely let us know before the camp if you would like to try this, we'll need to make arrangements for it.
How many members are you accepting?
Up to 80 total, including the drum major who is the only person guaranteed a spot. This means there are 79 wide-open spots for motivated prospective members. We will make sure to maintain a musical balance (probably won't have 50 in the drum line if there's only 8 horns) but other than that it's an open field.
Can I audition for Drum Major?
Not at the audition camp. The staff has already selected the Drum Major for this year. We may decide to add another Drum Major later, if needed, so let the staff know you are interested.
What should I bring to the audition camp?
See the camp information page.
What if I can't make it to the camp, can I send in a video?
The playing audition is a very small part of what the staff is looking at. Far more important is your attitude and interaction with the staff and other members. Someone who works as hard as a human being can but still has trouble with the technique will probably get a spot. An amazing all-state player that can play circles around anyone, but is actively belligerent and a jerk probably won't get a spot. It's almost impossible to assess that with a video, so we highly encourage you to find a way to get to at least part of the camp. If there is absolutely no way around missing it, contact your caption head and work something out with them.
When will I find out if I have a performance spot?
You'll receive a call sometime before the January camp.
What can I do to improve my chances of getting a spot?
Have a good attitude and practice! Get in touch with the caption head of the section you'd like to audition for, they can give you much more specific info on where to focus your efforts.
What is drum corps?
See our general info page.
Do I have to live in CT to be a member?
Nope.
How do I become a member?
First, check out our how to join page. This gives a fairly thorough description of the process. Many questions about auditions are answered within this FAQ. Beyond that, feel free to contact email us at director@7thregiment.org
What is the time commitment?
As an Open Class corps, the commitment is much less intense than a World Class summer. You'll still be able to live at home and work a part time job, take classes, or whatever else you had planned for the summer, while still taking part in a top-notch corps. Of course, that means that between camps you'll need to spend time practicing your marching and music! During the winter and early spring camps are held one weekend a month. Later April or early May, we may have a rehearsal more often on weekends to start preparing our field show. In mid June the season kicks into gear and you'll be with the corps every weekend. Depending on your section, you may also have an occasional evening rehearsal during the week. The schedule isn't complete yet, but there may also be an intensive 2 week period with a couple "band camp"-esque days of rehearsal and short tour. During this time you'll be living with the drum corps and learning what drum corps is all about!
What is a camp like?
Basically, you'll get to the rehearsal site Friday night, sleep there that night and Saturday night, and be released on Sunday afternoon. The time between will be spent in intensive rehearsal where you'll learn all the basics of marching and playing that you'll need to be able to perform the show at the highest level possible. Expect to spend a good deal of time on the fundamentals of playing and marching, 'cause that's what's going to make us look and sound clean when the summer rolls around! See the camp page for more specific info.
What if it interferes with winter guard/winter percussion/band concerts/etc.?
Our policy is that your school music program comes first. Use common sense about it though. If you have a concert Friday night, you can still come to the rest of the camp afterwards. Likewise for winter percussion competitions. Be sure to get in touch with your caption head before hand so they don't think you're just skipping rehearsal. Color guard will be slightly different. Auditions for 'Kinetic', our new winter guard, and for the drum corps will take place at the December camp. All guard members should come to the camps, while winter guard members will have additioinal rehearsals to prepare for their shows. If your school has a winter guard, it's highly recommended that you participate.
What if I'm still in school when the summer season starts/what if my college orientation takes place when I'll be with the drum corps?
We carefully build our schedule to avoid these types of conflicts, but they still sometimes occur. Don't stress about it too much, they can usually be worked out, and we do so on a case-by-case basis.
What if I need to miss a rehearsal?
Contact your caption head. They will help you figure out possible ways around the conflict or excuse you from the rehearsal if no solution can be found. Make sure to contact your caption head! Advance notice is critical for the staff to plan rehearsal. For instance, it would make no sense to work on that big low brass feature if half the baritone section is going to be missing. Your caption head will pass the message on to the appropriate parties.
How strict are you about attendance?
Absence from rehearsal seriously impedes on the groups ability to improve and get things done, not to mention that you miss any changes or additions to the show made during the rehearsal you miss. It is extremely important for you to be at rehearsal. Every effort should be made to deal with conflicts. Skipping rehearsal without reason and prior notice is unacceptable and is a good way to tick off your section, your drum major, and your staff. A drum corps thrives when all members show commitment and dedication to the corps. We expect no less.
Will the drum corps provide housing for me in the summer?
The drum corps will house you during camps and during tour. Often members that live a great distance away (Canada for instance) work out housing with families of members that live in the area. The corps will certainly help facilitate a solution like that, but we can't afford to pay for your housing outside of rehearsal weekends and tour.
How much does it cost to be a member?
See our tuition and fees page.
What if I can't afford it?
Lots of fundraising and sponsorship opportunities will be available to help offset membership fees. Sometimes scholarship situations present themselves. The bottom line is that the purpose of the organization is to provide an exciting marching music experience! If there is a financial issue of some kind it's not going to keep you from marching. We're here to help, just let us know and we can probably find a solution of some kind!
Where does that money go?
The general membership fees go towards food and facility cost at camps, transportation, uniforms, equipment, professional instruction, housing and food on tour…the list goes on and on. If you divide the cost of operating by the number of members, it costs thousands of dollars per member to keep the organization above water. We ask you to contribute a fairly small part of that (without breaking your checkbook). The rest of it comes from fundraising and sponsorships. That said, if you know a person or organization that may be willing to help a
non-profit youth organization, please check out our support page and let us know!
Do I need to prepare anything for the audition?
Brass and percussion music audition - Please prepare something short to play for the staff in your individual audition. This can be a solo, an etude, an exercise, or even just a little tune. Whatever shows off your playing. It doesn't really matter what you play, as long as we get a chance to hear you. Make sure that you stay tuned to the "members only" section of the website as your caption heads will have posted additional material for you to bring to the camp. Familiarize yourself with this material but if it seems overwhelming don't worry!
Color guard - The staff will be assessing you over the course of the weekend in rehearsal, no need to prepare anything, just be sure to wear appropriate clothing and shoes so we can see what you're doing!
Do I need to bring my own equipment to the audition?
If you would prefer to audition on your own instrument, feel free to bring it. For the majority of the camp we will be using our own equipment to give you the most authentic drum corps experience possible. Horn players please bring your own mouthpiece, and drummers should be sure to bring sticks or mallets appropriate to whichever drum you intend to audition on. Color guard; please bring a 6-foot flag pole with a silk.
Can I audition on my band instrument?
Absolutely. We want you to be as comfortable as possible with the equipment so there aren't any distractions that would affect your playing. You're welcome to audition on your concert horn. That said, please audition on a brass instrument. It'd be very difficult to get a picture of your brass playing if you audition on clarinet!
What key are your horns in?
Our horns are in the key of G. This means that the fingering system and the names of the notes are exactly the same, but the low brass and sopranos (trumpets) sound lower than you're used to and the mellophones sound a step higher than the band mellophones in F. We have qualified educators on our brass staff who have played on these instruments before while still maintaining their "concert chops," and would be happy to field any questions you might have.
What if I'm a woodwind player, but want to march corps?
The activity may not include woodwinds, but that doesn't mean there's no place for you! Many woodwind players transfer to another instrument to march. As we're primarily an educational organization, we're more than willing to teach you how to play, as long as you're willing to put in the work to learn! Whether the percussion piques your interest, the spinning flags catch your eye, or the horns are calling your name, we can find a way to make it happen. It would greatly benefit you to start learning before the audition, however. Private lessons are the best way to learn. If that's not an option, grab a friend that knows how to do it and get them to teach you a little. If you're really in a jam, give the caption head a call. They're all educators and are first and foremost interested in you learning. They will help you figure out a solution. Don't let that reed in your mouth keep you from being part of the world of drum corps!
Can guys audition for the color guard?
Of course! There is no gender barrier on ANY section.
Can I audition on more than one instrument (snare and bass drum, trumpet and mellophone, etc)?
Yes, although we'd encourage you not to do so. It will be easier for us to make an accurate assessment if you stick to the instrument that you're most comfortable with. Certainly let us know that you're capable and willing to switch, though, that's great info for us to have!
Can I audition for more than one section (pit and drum line, guard and horn line, etc)?
Yes, however we strongly advise against it. Doing so would require you to bounce back and forth between rehearsals and impede our ability to get an accurate picture of your abilities in either section. Without a good feel for your abilities, it's very difficult to make the decision to offer you a spot. Definitely let us know before the camp if you would like to try this, we'll need to make arrangements for it.
How many members are you accepting?
Up to 80 total, including the drum major who is the only person guaranteed a spot. This means there are 79 wide-open spots for motivated prospective members. We will make sure to maintain a musical balance (probably won't have 50 in the drum line if there's only 8 horns) but other than that it's an open field.
Can I audition for Drum Major?
Not at the audition camp. The staff has already selected the Drum Major for this year. We may decide to add another Drum Major later, if needed, so let the staff know you are interested.
What should I bring to the audition camp?
See the camp information page.
What if I can't make it to the camp, can I send in a video?
The playing audition is a very small part of what the staff is looking at. Far more important is your attitude and interaction with the staff and other members. Someone who works as hard as a human being can but still has trouble with the technique will probably get a spot. An amazing all-state player that can play circles around anyone, but is actively belligerent and a jerk probably won't get a spot. It's almost impossible to assess that with a video, so we highly encourage you to find a way to get to at least part of the camp. If there is absolutely no way around missing it, contact your caption head and work something out with them.
When will I find out if I have a performance spot?
You'll receive a call sometime before the January camp.
What can I do to improve my chances of getting a spot?
Have a good attitude and practice! Get in touch with the caption head of the section you'd like to audition for, they can give you much more specific info on where to focus your efforts.