Brass
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Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the Troopers Hornline! The Troopers are a family and pride ourselves on our storied history and tradition of brass excellence. We hope that one day, you too, can be part of our Long Blue Line. Honor, Loyalty, and Dedication!
Required Steps
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Register for the Troopers HERE.
Submit your Registration Fee HERE.
Download audition material HERE. (lets put a link here to our audition materials – not the brass manual)
Attend one of our Auditions or send us a video of your playing and marching. Details on what we are looking for in a video audition are listed in Audition Materials above. Download your materials and read through the information. If invited to continue with the corps you must be able to attend all subsequent camps - Dates are listed below.
Video Auditions: We are willing to look at your video and offer feedback on your video. Contracts ARE NOT offered through video audition. In order to receive a contract you must attend a camp and audition in person. WE ARE LOOKING FOR PERFORMERS UNTIL WE CLOSE AUDITIONS. For further information regarding video auditions, please refer to your audition materials and contact your tech.
Audition Dates & Locations
All brass players must be prepared to attend all camps:
| Date | Location | City |
|---|---|---|
| January 17-19th, 2014 | Storey Gym | Cheyenne, WY |
| February 21-23rd, 2014 | TBA | Cheyenne, WY |
| March 21-23rd, 2014 | Storey Gym | Cheyenne, WY |
| April 25-27th, 2014 | TBA | Laramie, WY |
| May 3-4th, 2014 (Guard Only) | Boone County Fairgrounds (Lebanon, IN) | Indianapolis, IN |
| May 20th, 2014 | Boone County Fairgrounds (Lebanon, IN) | Indianapolis, IN |
Our policy as a drum corps is that ALL school music functions on your instrument are priorities in life. This does not include volunteer positions or other chosen activities. However, if you are given a contract for a spot in the Troopers hornline, your attendance at all camps is critical to our success as a horn line. Missing any, and or all of a camp is only permitted on a case by case basis and must be approved by the Corps Director and your Caption Head. It is an expectation that you will make every reasonable effort to attend any part of a rehearsal that does not conflict with an approved event.
Any camp absences, whether excused or unexcused, may be grounds for contract removal.
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What should I bring to camp?
Tuner: All members of the Troopers brass team must own a tuner. (We recommend the Korg CA-30)
Metronome: All members of the Troopers brass team must own a metronome.
Breathing Tubes: All members of the Troopers brass team must have a 1/2” PVC coupler – breathing tube – with them at every brass rehearsal.
B.E.R.P.: The Buzzing Extension Resistance Piece (B.E.R.P.) will be used extensively by the Troopers brass team. Every member of the brass team must own one and have it with them at every camp, at move-in, and on tour.
Music Stand: Please bring your own folding music stand (with your name clearly labeled) to all brass rehearsals.
Three-ring Binder: (with clear sheet protectors): all music handouts (exercises, show music, and non-show music) must be kept in your three-ring binder. Any document you would need as a quick reference should be kept in your three-ring binder.
Pencil: It is extremely important that every brass ensemble member have a pencil at all times. Notes should be taken at every rehearsal, especially when rehearsing with the arrangers. Write EVERYTHING down! The more details you document, the more details you will remember.
Gloves (white): Gloves must be worn when handling a Troopers brass instrument. You will go through many gloves during the season. It is important that your gloves remain in good condition and are replaced as necessary. Gloves that are dirty or that have acquired holes are NEVER acceptable.
Black Towel: The black towel is used to protect your instrument when placed on hard surfaces, especially outdoors.
Baseball Cap: Your cap must cover the top of your head and must shade your face, your eyes and your chops. When rehearsing inside, hats are optional and at the discretion of the caption head or section tech.
Tennis Shoes/Trainers: You will be moving at all rehearsals. Thus, tennis shoes are required at all times. Sandals, shower shoes, flip-flops, bare feet, etc. are never acceptable.
Clothing: You must wear clothing that will allow you to perform excessive movement such as sweats, shorts, t-shirts, etc. NO JEANS!!! Again, you will be moving at all rehearsals.
Water Bottles: Each brass team member is required to have their own personal water jug (no smaller than 1 gallon). These jugs must be present and filled with water at all rehearsals. The approved water jug is a Coleman 1-Gallon Jug (Blue)
Audition Process
Auditioning for the Troopers is pretty simple. Follow the required steps above, download your audition materials and prepare your audition. Then you must attend an audition camp or submit a video audition.
To audition for the Troopers, you have two choices: attend a one-day audition close to you or you can audition for us via video, which you post on the Internet; Youtube, Facebook, etc.
During the audition process, each person, regardless of status, veteran or first timer will be pulled out for individual audition. In this audition you will be required to march and play at the same time. You are responsible for anything listed in your audition materials. In addition to your individual audition, you will be evaluated on your attitude, willingness to accept instruction, adaptability, work ethic, financial situation and performance throughout the camp weekend(s) will be taken into account as part of your audition.
You will be notified before you leave camp whether you will be offered a spot with the Troopers, Called Back or let go to pursue other options.
**CALLBACKS – If you are not offered a contract, but offered a call back, this means we believe you have the skill to march with the Troopers, however, you aren’t quite ready to be offered a contract. We have a standing policy that you will be offered a 2nd chance to audition at the next camp. We do not offer call backs after the second camp. You will know where you stand after the 2nd camp you will either earn your contract or be let go. We don’t string people along at the Troopers.
Please note, that no contracts will be offered via video auditions. We work hard to give you helpful feedback that will help you earn your spot in the Troopers. If you are invited to camp via your video audition, we believe that you may have the skills we are looking for in our members. However, a contract is not guaranteed until you are offered a contract when you arrive at a camp.
It is important to know that your membership status is a continuous process. If you maintain your attendance, preparation and financial commitments, you will have no problem retaining your contract. If you do not keep up with any one of these criteria, you could lose your contract, regardless of the time of year.
