Camp questions:

Can I still audition for the 2012 season?

Open auditions for brass & percussion are now closed but an audition may be granted by a section’s caption head based on any needs in their respective section.  To inquire about auditioning for the 2012 Bluecoats, please contact the following people:

Dave Mackinnon (Brass):                 dmackinnon@blueoats.com

Mike Jackson (Battery Percussion):  mjackson@bluecoats.com

Brad Palmer (Front Ensemble):         bpalmer@bluecoats.com

Andy Mroczek (Color Guard):           amroczek@bluecoats.com

I was invited to send an audition video.  How do I do that?

To send us an audition video, please mail us a DVD or flash drive containing a QuickTime video file demonstrating your skills to the best of your ability. Please also include your contact information, birth date, and a check or money order for the $75 audition fee (made out to Bluecoats).

Ship your video to the following address:
Bluecoats Video Audition
PO Box 2733
North Canton, OH 44720

Once received, your video will be directed to the appropriate staff person, and we will do our best to get back to you within one week of receipt.   Submitting an audition video does not guarantee you a position with the Bluecoats.  If we like what we see on the video, we will most likely invite you to attend the January camp in Ohio to audition in person before we offer you a position with the corps.
You can also email us a link to a video posted to an online video site, or email your QuickTime video directly to us at bluecoats@bluecoats.com.   However, we will not respond with feedback until we receive payment of the $75 audition fee via check, money order, or via a Video Audition Purchase through our online store.
If you have any further questions regarding video auditions, please contact us at bluecoats@bluecoats.com

What should I expect at my first camp?

1. The opportunity to experience and learn the skills necessary to perform at the highest levels of the drum & bugle corps activity. You will spend two full days (or one day in California and Georgia) learning from the corps' world-class instructional staff and rehearsing side by side with returning members of the Bluecoats.

2. A complete orientation session with the Bluecoats Management Team. You will learn all about what it takes to be part of DCI and the Bluecoats: the time commitment, costs, tour schedule, and your participation will be fully explained. Ample time will be allotted throughout the weekend for you to ask any questions.

3. A complete orientation by the Bluecoats primary instructional staff.  Staff specifically directed to your position (guard, brass, or percussion) will give you all the technical information about performing as a Bluecoat. You will have one on one time with your primary instructor, so any questions can be answered at that time.

4. The entire weekend is part of your audition. There will be ample opportunities for you to perform for the instructional staff in both a group and one on one setting.

5. A relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere surrounded by dedicated professional educators who love drum corps and the Bluecoats!

6. At the conclusion of camp, you will be informed of one of these results from your audition:

• A. You will be offered a position.
• B. You will be given a tentative offer based upon your improvement in certain areas.
• C. You will be given exact and detailed information concerning how you may improve for an audition next year.

Do I have to attend all of the camps?

We understand that conflicts arise and those are dealt with on an individual basis. However, your best chance of making the corps will depend on your attendance at the camps. Please talk with your caption head to inform the corps of any anticipated camp absences. When you fail to attend a camp and haven't told us why in advance, we assume that you do not wish to be a part of the corps.

Who do I contact with attendance conflicts?

To discuss any extraordinary attendance issues involving the first few camps, please contact our Corps Manager Bill Hamilton at bhamilton@bluecoats.com  Further details regarding attendance will be explained at your first audition camp.

How much does membership in the Bluecoats cost?

The operation of a world-class drum corps is a very expensive project. The equipment (horns, drums and guard) and the fleet of vehicles are just a few of the most expensive items. The cost of housing, instruction, touring and uniforms also increase costs.

Our 2012 Membership fees will be announced at each November camp.
The amount that the Bluecoats charge its members covers a very small portion of the actual cost— it is also among the least expensive drum corps in the country.

Are there opportunities for me to earn money towards my financial obligations?

YES!!! The corps offers several fundraisers and provides all necessary sponsorship materials for the member to do the work. However, the member is the one who ultimately has to put forth the effort to raise the funds.
If you feel you may have difficulty meeting your financial obligations to the corps, please talk in confidence with a member of the administrative staff. The corps can only help you if we know about your situation.

Time-commitment questions:

The Bluecoats are looking for a full-time commitment from late May to mid-August.

Can I join the Bluecoats if I'm in my high school or college band?

Yes, but check your schedule with your band director. If your band camp is in early August, it may conflict with DCI Championship Week, and if you're "signed" with the Bluecoats, we won't be able to spare you during that week, so you may need to arrive late at band camp.   It is important that High School students know the date of graduation or your last day of school before you attend your first audition camp. If there are any conflicts with our move-in date, this information will help us assess each situation on a case-by-case basis.

Can I join the Bluecoats if I'm in a Winterguard?

Yes. The Bluecoats support the indoor colorguard activity and do not require colorguard members to attend certain winter camps.

Can I join the Bluecoats if I'm in an Indoor Percussion Ensemble?

Yes.  The Bluecoats support the Indoor Percussion Activity, and we have planned our winter camps around WGI Percussion Regionals that are close to the Canton, OH area.

Can I still do band camp? Will I be back in time for school?

Yes, but only if your band camp begins after DCI Championships. As a member of a world class drum and bugle corps, you are asked to make a financial and personal commitment to the corps. As the corps tours, so will you. High school band directors usually have a policy on this and it's best if you check with your director before committing. Most schools do not start until after DCI World Championships and you will have time to make it back to your respective school. However, please check with your school.

Other questions:

What instruments are in the corps?

Brass
All of our brass instruments are bell-front, three-valve brass instruments—trumpets, mellophones, baritones, euphoniums, and tubas—keyed in B-flat (mellophones are keyed in F.)

All brass music is written in treble clef, although bass clef music is available for baritones, euphoniums, and tubas.

Percussion

Battery (marching percussion) consists of snares, quads (tenors,) and bass drums.

The front ensemble generally consists of, but is not limited to: wooden keyboards (xylophones, marimba), metallic keyboards (vibraphones, bells, etc), timpani, Afro-Cuban drums (congas, timbales), cymbals, gongs, and various concert percussion instruments.   We will also have a position available for a synthesizer player.

Color Guard

The Bluecoats color guard will audition both male and female candidates for 2012. The color guard utilizes flags, rifles, sabres, and dance in their routines.

Can my parents get involved?

Definitely! The Bluecoats have a volunteer organization very similar to a band booster organization. These volunteers help with cooking, travel arrangements, sewing, uniforms, and other sundry needs. The Bluecoats tour with anywhere from 10-20 volunteers. Volunteers are also needed during the winter camps to prepare meals, service vehicles, sew uniforms, repair instruments, etc.

I didn't see my question here. Who can I ask?

We have a section of our forum dedicated to prospective member questions.  Ask your question there and someone might answer; but bear in mind that all official information will be posted to this page first.

If that doesn't help, you can send your question via our contact form!
If your questions were still not answered, please don't hesitate to call the Bluecoats Office at (330) 433-9115 or email us at bluecoats@bluecoats.com.