Across the drum corps activity, it’s audition season.
Over the next several months, thousands of performers will take the leap and try their hand at joining a drum corps. Whether it’s a World Class, Open Class, All-Age or SoundSport ensemble, opportunities of all shapes and sizes exist for performers to take the field in the summer of 2025.
As recruitment season ramps up with the completion of most fall marching band circuits, Phantom Regiment director of programs Todd Snead and corps director Dwight Emmert sat down with Tim Hinton of the Marching Roundtable Podcast to share information on the audition process.
Snead and Emmert's perspectives not only reflect some of the specific audition requirements of Phantom Regiment, but also offer valuable insights into the drum corps experience as a whole. We've keyed in on a handful of notable things for prospective corps members to take away from their nearly hour-long conversation.
1. Attitude is everything
Snead notes that talent isn’t the only thing being measured as part of the audition process. In fact, according to many it’s not even one of the highest things on the priority list.
“Remember, the audition starts the minute you walk through the door,” Snead said. “We focus so much on the notes and the rhythms and the movement … but how you carry yourself, how you introduce yourself … all that says a lot about your character and your maturity.”
Ultimately, one of the biggest things corps will look for — according to Snead — is a student’s work ethic and eagerness to learn.
“We're looking for people who will be willing to go on this journey with us,” he said. “I think it's really important to keep in mind that you have to demonstrate talent, desire and maturity in your audition.
Snead noted that the ability to recover quickly from mistakes and adapt to correction and critique is also a key characteristic to display in auditions.
“Can you just dust it off and pick back up?” He said. “That's a really important quality that we look for at all drum corps.”
2. Don’t overlook the small stuff
As one of many keys to successfully joining a corps, Snead noted the importance of holistic, advance preparation. And the first, often-overlooked step in the process happens even before equipment is picked up or a note of music is played.
“The first step is just to look and find out where things are happening, when they're happening, and how to get registered,” Snead says.
Every DCI ensemble tackles their recruitment and auditions with a slightly different approach, so it’s important to make sure that you do your homework ahead of time. Make sure to express your interest in auditioning, and ensure you're properly signed up and registered. This will allow you to receive and review all the necessary information about joining the corps before you even step through the door.
“Can you read the instructions?” Snead says. “Which sounds silly, but it’s really important. One thing that we teach in drum corps is autonomy. Members across every organization learn about personal autonomy, how to take care of themselves and take care of their own stuff. The ability to follow basic instructions is an indicator to us.”
Once you have received the audition materials from a corps, Snead added that there’s no day like today to get started.
“There are a lot of people who take that first step, and they've downloaded the audition packet, but then they say, ‘Oh, I'll just wait until November,’” he said. “No, start practicing now … A lot of drum corps have a visual or movement component. So unlike a region band audition where you're just playing your excerpts or your etudes, we might ask you to also play on the move … Do that early so you can do it comfortably later on when it's asked of you.”
3. Facing your fears
Auditioning for drum corps doesn’t have to be a daunting task, and there’s data to prove that your chances of making a corps are much higher than you’d think.
According to Emmert, two-thirds of auditionees make a World Class corps on their first try, with another 25 percent able to earn a spot on their second try.
“You won’t know if you're good enough unless you take that first step,” he said. “Everyone faces those fears to some degree.”
It’s also important to understand that one unsuccessful audition doesn’t have to be the end of your drum corps journey. If you still want to get involved in Drum Corps International there are many other corps out there who are ready, willing and able to help you get your start, many who are ready to teach those with little to no marching music experience from the ground up.
READ: How drum corps cater to all experience levels
4. Grappling with costs
While drum corps can be an expensive proposition, Emmert noted the importance of understanding the costs involved, and also understanding the intangible benefits that come with drum corps participation.
“It's worth every dollar you spend and more,” he said. “If doing drum corps costs $5,000, know that you're getting at least a $10,000 experience. The skills that you learn with us aren't just good in the marching arts. Being in the Phantom Regiment changed my life and what I thought was possible. It's worth committing to that (kind of experience).”
Emmert also talked about a wide array of opportunities to fundraise for your summer experience. For example, Drum Corps International and many of its participating corps offer scholarships to performing members.
“We have a lot of ways to help you,” Emmert said. “It starts with an understanding how important it is to raise that kind of money … It’s about having a mindset that, ‘this is important to me, and every dollar that I put in comes back to me in many, many ways across my life.’”
Listen to the Marching Roundtable’s “Dues and Don’ts of Paying for Drum Corps”
5. Find your perfect fit
As Snead noted, there are many different levels of drum corps experience, each offering different benefits in terms of performance, difficulty level, financial and time commitments, and other important factors.
When beginning your drum corps journey, it’s important to find the atmosphere that’s right for your experience level, interests, and resources.
WHICH DRUM CORPS EXPERIENCE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
“What I tell students who are trying to find their way into the drum corps community is to first try to determine what classification is best for them,” Snead said. “Do you not want to spend a full summer commitment? Maybe Open Class is better for you. Are you a weekend-only person? Then maybe an All-Age corps is a good place to start.”
Other resources at your fingertips
The fall issue of Drum Corps International Magazine offers an in-depth look at audition season, featuring a comprehensive guide and resources for anyone interested in joining a drum corps in 2025.
Read the November issue of DCI Magazine
Also be sure to stay updated on the latest audition news, tips, information and links to each corps’ respective audition process at DCI.org/audition or by registering at dci.fan/MarchDrumCorps or by texting MARCH to 866.866.5009.
