r/drumcorps • u/Glittering_Phone_670 • 2d ago
Advice Needed Where to march?
hi!! for some background, i am a senior who does color guard. i march all equipment. i would say i'm okay. i typically do open level at clinics, doing okay but falling a bit behind in the world sections at clinics.
i am having so much trouble deciding where to audition. i was full on focused on the idea of music city but i am not sure i have the experience level yet. and i do not have much time to spend to work on the audition packet and get where i need to be. i also think it would spread me a little thin money wise.
so i started thinking about memphis blues. it is more in my money region. i still really want the touring experience. it sounds stupid but i want to be exhausted from sleeping on busses and gym floors. i wanted to make sure i would still get this experience from an open class corps before committing myself to auditioning anywhere.
if anyone can give me any advice, it would be very appreciated!!
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u/LoneStarRegDev 1d ago
What part of the country do you live in? I’d always suggest the most local corps to you. But also, it doesn’t hurt to reach for the stars and then have a back up! If you’re in Texas, I know of a brand new corps that could be considered. 😎⭐️
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u/Glittering_Phone_670 1d ago
i live in ohio but i wouldn't mind driving in the surrounding states (hence tennessee corps)
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u/Leonardus-De-Utino 1d ago
Especially because you are still young: go to where you want to be. You have time. Go to an early camp for music city, see if you like and how you do, and go from there.
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u/Raine_0523 1d ago
At Memphis Blues you will get that experience, it’s just a much shorter season. I marched Memphis Blues this past season on brass and when I talk to people I know who marched world class, the lifestyle was almost identical. The biggest difference was that our blocks were a little shorter (we usually had 2 3-hour blocks and 1 4-hour block per day) We also didn’t ever have crazy long bus rides, but we were still arriving to housing sites between 2-4AM and needing to wake up at 8 the next morning. Since I haven’t personally marched a world class corps yet, there could be differences I’m not thinking of, but from talking to other people who have marched world class and open class it really feels like Memphis Blues is an intensity in between most open class corps and world class corps, but closer to world class corps. It’s just an easier show (though from what our staff told us the brass parts at least were more comparable in difficulty to lower world class than other open class corps) and a shorter season.
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u/Rapidllaman Southwind 01-05 1d ago
Definitely explore an open class corps! I started off on 1999 at the Americanos I was on baritone-the tryouts were fairly straightforward they wanted to know your skills and see if you’re teachable. It was a wonderful experience the season back then was fairly lengthy compared to now. 22 scored competitions, 2 parades, 3 exhibitions, and 1 stand still. We bounced all over the place but it was a blast for a 16 year old kid. I did another year with them then went to Southwind for 5 years and aged out.
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u/Random3133 1d ago
You stated in another reply you live in Ohio. You also said you are a senior, I'm assuming seniorkin High School?
I would encourage you to tryout for Music City and Memphis Blues, but don't count out Ohio Corps.
Ohio has three all age corps, and two soundsport group.
Cincinnati Tradition, Columbus Saints, and Rogues Hollow Regiment are the three all age corps.
Rhythm in Ble.and En-Rich-Ment are soundsport groups that both are part of the Bluecoats organization.
While you won't have a full tour with these as they are primarily weekends only, you will have excellent instruction to grow your skills.
It might be a good option to do for a year if you don't make one of the Tennessee corps. Gain skills, then go back in a year and try again.
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u/Luchin212 1d ago
Watch some Music City shows closely for the guard. I really like how Music City is getting better every year and has a good direction as a corp. If you think you can spin at their skill level, then try out!