DRUM & bugle CORPS
ABOUT FAQ STAFF CALENDAR PARENTS JOBS AUDITION CAMPS VIRTUAL AUDITIONS MOVE-INS
Auditions
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Our audition process is designed to give you a genuine experience of what it’s like to be part of our corps. Throughout the audition day, you’ll follow a schedule that closely mirrors a typical rehearsal, immersing you in the routines, expectations, and intensity of life at River City Rhythm.
Auditions begin with performers breaking into their respective sections (brass, percussion, guard, and conductors) for focused practice on music and movement drills. These sectionals allow you to work closely with others in your discipline, developing teamwork skills while showcasing your individual talents.
During your sectional time, you’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a one-on-one session with a member of our educational team. This session is more than just an evaluation—it’s a chance for you to connect with our instructors, receive personalized insights, and ask questions about the season ahead. We see this part of the audition as a two-way street: not only do we evaluate your skills and potential, but you also get to know our team and how we work together.
Our goal is to foster a supportive, encouraging environment where you feel empowered to perform at your best. You’ll receive constructive feedback on your audition, highlighting both your strengths and areas to refine. We believe that every performer deserves an experience that is both challenging and affirming, setting the stage for growth as you move through the audition and training process.
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Camp fees are generally $100 to cover housing, staff, food, and other needs during the weekend. Virtual auditions require a $50 fee to receive staff feedback.
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Satellite/One-Day Camps:
These camps usually run from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please arrive at least 45 mins to an hour early for all camps to ensure you can get checked in and find your way to your section location.
Full Weekend Camps:
Doors open at 5:00 PM, and check-in begins at 7:00 PM on Friday. Camps typically conclude on Sunday at 2:00 PM, following our show and tell performance which usually starts at 12:00 PM (times are subject to change: check the corps social media sites for specific times).
Itineraries for all camps are emailed by the Wednesday prior to each camp.
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We understand that prior commitments with school/band may arise, and you might not be able to attend all portions of an audition camp. If a schedule conflict comes up, please email our corps director at jordon@rivercityrhythm.org as well as CC your caption head to notify them so they can help make accommodations:
Brass
Percussion
Color Guard
Conductors
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Battery: We provide drums, but bringing your own equipment is encouraged. Bring a practice pad for times when you are not on a drum.
Front Ensemble: Instruments and mallets will be provided. You are welcome to bring and play with your own mallets.
Brass: You are encouraged to bring your own instrument and mouthpiece as horns will be in limited supply.
Color Guard: Flags are provided. For those wanting to audition for a weapon spot, we offer limited options, so feel free to bring your own.
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Sportswear and athletic shoes are recommended for optimum mobility during stretching and visual exercises. For color guard auditions, wear comfortable attire.
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If you are flying to an RCR camp, transportation will be provided to and from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). You will need to communicate your flight information ahead of time so we can arrange a shuttle to pick you up. Be sure to communicate with us as soon as possible.
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Yes - we have conductor positions open! Please purchase an audition packet to prepare for the auditions
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Camp fees play a vital role in supporting the essential operations that make each River City Rhythm camp experience possible. These fees help cover the cost of facility rentals, allowing us to secure safe, comfortable spaces for rehearsals and instruction. They also contribute to providing nutritious meals for members throughout each camp, ensuring that everyone stays energized and focused.
In addition, camp fees support our ability to bring in top-tier instructional staff who are dedicated to providing members with the highest quality training and mentorship. These professionals bring valuable expertise and guidance that are essential to the growth and development of our performers.
More detailed information about camp fees and tuition, including any potential payment plans or scholarships, is released in the lead up to the first audition camp. We strive to make these experiences accessible while maintaining the excellence in instruction and support that our members deserve.
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Yes. The best way to find out if you are ready or not is to audition. Show us what you’ve got, get the contract and then make your decision. The first step is to walk through the door!
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Yes, we offer virtual auditions but we strongly recommend auditioning in person when possible as it provides a much more accurate assessment - both for the staff evaluating the student, and for the student deciding if this corps is a good fit. We very rarely offer contracts based on a video audition alone.
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Better than you think, especially if you have marching experience in a parade band or a field band. Our staff is very experienced in teaching students on their respective instrument and would be glad to have the opportunity to train you this summer!
We strongly recommend coming to an audition camp to find out. The worst that happens is that you get a lot of experience to prepare for the next season. But you may be surprised at how well you do!
Tour
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Our dues vary each year; they are largely based on projected costs for that respective season (transportation costs, food costs, etc). For the 2025 season, our members paid $3,400.
We work very hard to keep our dues among the lowest in all of DCI. We’re also proud of the fact that:
The fee includes everything - housing, meals, transportation, uniform, and more
Our veterans receive a discount
Any money paid for winter audition camps is applied to that fee
It is not all due up front, we provide payment plans to spread the cost out across the season
We offer a number of optional scholarship and fundraising opportunities to contracted members to help offset these costs. We work with each individual who asks because we don’t want the cost to prohibit anyone from joining if they want to do it!
Learn more about strategies for paying for drum corps here.
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Our 2026 Spring Training and Tour will span approximately 60 days. Prospective members should plan to move into Spring Training in mid-June. We understand that some students may still have school commitments during this period—please coordinate with our corps director to arrange joining the corps as soon as your school term concludes. The season will wrap up on August 9, 2026 in Indianapolis at the Drum Corps International World Championships.
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The summer experience is broken up in two parts
Pre-tour: This is our version of band camp. Full day rehearsals putting together the summer production. We spend almost the entire day out on the field (weather permitting), whether it’s within sub sectionals during the day, or in full ensemble in the evening
Tour: Once we hit the road we either have a travel/rehearsal day or a show day. This summer we are planning on 19 or more performances over the tour.
Every day will always consist of four meal breaks. We also take days off on occasion, and at least every 14 days we’ll have a laundry day.
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No. Once you move in we try to restrict members coming and going. Of course, family emergencies can be handled on a case by case basis, and if there's a prior-communicated school event (orientation, final exam, etc.) we can work on a game plan together. Again, drum corps is a large time commitment.
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DCI rules allow us to take members who are no older than 21 as of June 1st.
There is no age minimum; it largely depends on the individual, and whether the family is comfortable with their student participating. We have had a few members as young as 14.
The average age of the corps is around 18.
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Absolutely! When you register for camps, and again when you sign a contract, we collect this information so we know how to accommodate you.
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While at any audition camp or during the summer, the members almost always stay as a group in a gym (bringing their own sleeping bags/air mattresses). We do take care to separate areas in the gym so minors are not mixed in with adults, and the staff stays in a separate room in the building.
If you have further questions, please feel free to email them to jordon@rivercityrhythm.org.
