The Audition Process: FAQs
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
By: Allison Watkins

Answers to your questions about upcoming auditions

When and where are the camps held?

• The first Cadets and Cadets² Audition Camp for color guard and percussion will be held during the weekend of November 16 -18 at Woodstown High School in Woodstown, NJ. This will be the only color guard camp until April. Specific details about this camp are available here. 
• The brass audition camp will be held in conjunction with the second percussion audition camp the weekend of November 30 – December 2 at Woodstown High School. Specific details are available here. 

If I come to the Nov. 16-18 combined camp, do I need to attend the Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 audition camp?
While it’s not mandatory, we do recommend it. The second camp will be the first full-ensemble camp of the season with the current members present. New material will be covered, and our staff would also get another chance to interact with you and see how well you fit into the corps. If you can’t make it, don’t worry, just come to the next one, but generally speaking, your odds do tend to improve when you attend more camps.

What should I wear?
We won’t venture outside until the weather warms up, so the only warm clothes you’ll need will be to get to and from the airport. Most people wear exercise shorts and a T-shirt or tank top to rehearsal. Tennis shoes are required, as there will be a marching block on Saturday for brass and percussion. In case the school is chilly, dressing in layers is a good idea, so you may want to bring a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie with you as well. Color guard members will dance as well as spin, so be sure to wear pants that you can move around in and tennis shoes.

Do I need to bring my own instrument?
That would depend on the instrument and your method of travel. We realize that checking bags has become an extra airline expense, but at the earlier camps, it is very possible that there will be more auditionees than instruments. Therefore, if you’re driving to camp, we kindly ask that you do bring your own instrument if at all possible. If you’re flying, it’s still a great idea to bring an instrument, especially if you play a smaller horn. In the event that there aren’t enough Cadet instruments to go around, we won’t let you go all weekend without one, but there’s a possibility that you might have to trade off with someone.

How do I reserve a place at camp?
#1 - Fill out the Information Request form to receive email updates and information from The Cadets.

#2 - Follow ensuing e-mail instructions for Membership Application through the Cadets CorpsData website. Please keep your CorpsData profile updated and accurate throughout the fall season.

#3 - Send in the Registration Fee and the Audition Camp Fee to the YEA! office in Allentown by check (payable to YEA!).

#4 - Once your Registration Fee is paid, an email invitation will be sent to RSVP travel details through the CorpsData system.

Can I look at the Audition Packet before commiting to the $100 Registration Fee?
Yes. Audition packets for your section may be downloaded separately for $15.

What if I have a conflict, and I absolutely can't make it to the Audition Camp? 
Contact Patrick Duncan at patrick@yea.org to discuss your situation. We are glad to work out an alternative, but early communication is very important to give everyone a fair opportunity.

Should I bother coming to camp if I haven’t played my instrument very long?
YES! This isn’t just about making the corps, it’s about becoming a better musician, learning from a great staff, and meeting other people just like you from all over the world. You will learn a ton and you will have a great time!
 
How do I get the audition material?
All you have to do is pay the Registration Fee and we'll send you the appropriate audition packet with your respective audition material.

What is the audition process like? 
We don't believe in the traditional "cut" system that many organizations use. You are at the audition camp for experience and feedback, and we will do our best to send you home feeling great about your weekend! At the camp, each auditionee will have the opportunity to work with a staff member in a private lesson/audition setting. At the end of the weekend, each auditionee will be assigned a rating, with specific tips for improvement and a suggested course of action:

1 - You are ready to become a Cadet...start making plans for camps and summer tour!!

2 - We see potential, but we need you to work on a few specific areas and come to the next camp!!

3 - We don't feel that you're ready to become a Cadet this year, but we will do our best to provide recommendation to other corps, private instructors, and feedback for improvement.

What is the color guard audition like?
Unlike brass and percussion auditions, the color guard audition is not a one-on-one evaluation. The caption supervisor and instructional staff will observe all auditionees throughout the weekend and give out spots at the end. Because the color guard won’t be attending any camps between November and April, our guard staff will be as clear as possible about whether or not you made the corps during audition weekend.

How often do alternates get spots?
It happens a lot for various reasons. Things come up throughout the spring semester; some people may decide not to march before the summer. Sometimes members get hurt during spring training. As an alternate, we can’t promise that you’ll get a spot, but it’s likely that you’ll end up marching if you work hard and stick it out through the camp season.

Do I need to bring a music stand?
If at all possible, this is a great thing to bring. Stands at Woodstown HS are always limited, and while you can always share with someone, your playing experience will be more comfortable with your own stand!

Do I need to bring my own mouthpiece?
Especially for the audition camp, we suggest bringing your own mouthpiece. Eventually, each section will use the same mouthpiece, but won’t happen until the line is more or less set.

Can I audition on a French horn or another non-drum corps instrument?
Since this is a drum corps audition, other instruments are rather irrelevant. We greatly appreciate your musical talent, but odds are, we won’t be marching trombones. Gino Cipriani and the brass staff simply need to make sure that you are skilled on the instrument you are auditioning to play. However, they will give you suggestions based on tendencies you may have developed on your primary instrument and address any concerns you may have about taking a summer off from your primary instrument.