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October 20, 2009 — It's not too early to set your sights on summer 2010. As the fall season for high school and college marching bands nears the end, drum and bugle corps are already looking ahead to next year. Units that compete on the Drum Corps International summer tour will hold auditions for prospective members in November and December.

Approximately 50 competitive DCI corps are located throughout North America, representing more than 20 states and several Canadian provinces (see the corps links below). The geographic spread from coast to coast means there is almost certainly a corps based in your region.

Plan Ahead
For a solid start to your drum corps experience, Marching.com offers three suggestions:

Check It Out – If you're not sure whether marching in a DCI corps is for you, attend an audition camp to experience corps life first-hand. At the very least you'll learn some new techniques and meet a lot of people who share your passion for marching.

Location, Location, Location – Corps typically rehearse at least once per month throughout the winter. Before committing to a corps far across the country, consider whether you can afford plane tickets to attend rehearsals. You may want to choose a corps that's within a reasonable driving distance. Consider carpooling with a friend so you can share expenses.

Start Saving Now – Every corps relies on membership fees to operate the organization and cover the costs of equipment, instruction, buses and food. Develop a plan to save money so you can pay your dues promptly. If you fall behind on payments you could lose your spot in the corps.

Eligibility
DCI's competitive rules allow performers to march until they reach age 22. To march during the 2010 season, you must have been born on or after June 1, 1988. (You can still compete if you turn 22 in the midst of the summer season.) If you're over the DCI age limit, consider marching in an all-age corps affiliated with Drum Corps Associates.

2010 Corps News Highlights
DCI frequently publishes corps news and announcements on its website at DCI.org. Each year there are several new corps that join the tour, as well as several groups that unfortunately take the year off. Some highlights of news for the 2010 season:

• The Spartans (Nashua, New Hampshire) plan to return to Open Class after taking last season off. The corps has been the DCI champion in its division five times.

• The Citations (Burlington, Massachusetts) announced that they will be inactive for 2010 but plan to return to the field in 2011. The corps earned the 2009 Open Class bronze medal and best color guard award.

• Spokane Thunder (Spokane, Washington) plans to return as a separate Open Class unit. For the 2009 season the corps combined forces with the Seattle Cascades and performed as the World Class unit Cascades.

• Teal Sound (Jacksonville, Florida) seeks to compete in World Class after rising the ranks in Open Class for the past several years.

• Forte (Grand Prairie, Texas) is a new unit with a new hometown, based on the legacy of Memphis Sound (which is taking the year off to reorganize and possibly emerge as an all-age corps). "Forte is planning on joining the DCI Open Class Tour for 2010, as well as participating in the Texas Drum Corps Preview and local DCA shows as our schedule allows," said Forte Director Chris Green.

• The Troopers (Casper, Wyoming) are re-energized after a successful 2009 season when the corps advanced to World Class Finals for the first time since 1986. "For 2010 we are raising the bar once again with our programing and expectations of our members and staff," said Troopers Director Fred Morris. "We already have our first tune done and it will be performed at the first camp, something that has not been done here before!"

• Music City (Nashville, Tennessee) plans to continue the crowd-appealing programming that impressed audiences during the corps' first season in 2009. The corps scored a season-high 80.4 at semi-finals and was just a fraction of a point out of finals. "We heard repeatedly that fans in the crowd were humming along and that our music really stuck in their mind," said Music City Executive Director Keith Hall. "We will always strive to be one of those corps that fans just can't wait to see again."

• The Madison Scouts (Madison, Wisconsin) announced that Jim Mason will serve as artistic director and operations consultant. Mason achieved great success through his involvement with Blast! and Star of Indiana. "Jim has already helped rethink some of the processes we use," said Corps Director Dann Petersen. "One example is an entirely video audition process which increases accessibility and saves time and money for applicants. If I had to choose words to define the Madison Scouts, they would be 'tradition' and 'power.' For the products of Mason Entertainment Group, they would be 'innovation' and 'entertainment.' Expect to see all four represented in the 2010 Madison Scouts program."

• Spirit (Atlanta, Georgia) is moving its operations from Jacksonville, Alabama back to Atlanta where the corps was originally founded. The move is part of a long-range plan for the corps. "Our relationship with the city of Jacksonville (Alabama) and Jacksonville State University will continue to be an integral part of the corps' plan," said Spirit Executive Director Joel Vincent in the announcement.

• Carolina Crown (Fort Mill, South Carolina) seeks to maintain its strong momentum after earning a silver medal in 2009, the first time DCI has seen a new medalist corps in 20 years. (Star of Indiana entered the top 3 for the first time in 1990.) "We expect record numbers of both returning and new students to audition for the corps over the next couple of months," said Executive Director Kevin Smith. "The entire design team and senior faculty is returning for 2010 and we expect that they will put together another great show for our fans throughout the country."

Audition for a Corps Near You
Below are website links for DCI World Class and Open Class corps, organized by region. Check the individual sites for audition details and to register.


Photos by Marching.com.

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