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30 Additional Testimonials
John M. Meehan
Brass Caption Head
The Blue Devils
bpm and just sound, well, not good. Dont do this. Even if you CAN
play the exercises faster, thats not what we are interested in. Were When I auditioned for The Blue Devils
interested in your tone and true abilities. I couldnt have been more nervous. Of
course I was worried that I might not play
As far as volume goes, its important that you dont underplay during well, but mainly I just didnt know what to
your audition. Play like you would in your practice room when no one expect. But as soon as I began my music
audition, my nerves were immediately
is listening. Also, dont face directly at the staff. Face slightly off center
calmed. I could tell that John Meehan want-
so the staff can hear your true sound, but also have a good view of ed me to play as well as I possibly could.
your embouchure and finger dexterity. Once I had calmed down a bit, I was able to
play confidently and remember all of the
For the selected excerpts, we suggest you familiarize yourself with work I had done in the practice room. This
these by searching YouTube and listening to several recordings. This is all an auditionee can ask for, and it helped
will help you with style interpretation and tempo. me secure my spot in the 2008 horn line.
If you have any doubts about your ability
After your playing audition, we will also have you do the short to the corps, at least come out to audition.
marching and playing exercise while doing a simple box drill. It never hurts to try, and you may end up
having the best summer of your life, just like
I did. Trey
VISUAL MEDIA AUDITION For your visual media audition, please demonstrate the
Create an unlisted (not public or private) YouTube following:
video (or multiple videos) for us to review. This video T
empo changes: Set a metronome to 180 BPM, then
(or videos) should include all of the required material march forward at 8 to 5, switching foot speed every
listed below. Please feel free to contact Todd Ryan with 8 counts (8 @ 180 BPM, 8 @ 90 BPM, and so on for 4
any visual questiotns. reps). Do this a second time, moving backwards.
Once you have your visual media audition video S
tep size changes: Set a metronome to 180 BPM,
prepared and uploaded, please send an e-mail to then march forward 12 steps at 12 to 5, then 6 steps
Todd Ryan (jack2pack@aol.com) and John Meehan at 6 to 5. Do this 4 times, the 1st and 3rd time at 180
(jmeehan@bluedevils.org) with the following BPM, the 2nd and 4th time at 90 BPM.
information:
D
irection Changes: Do 4 reps of a zig zag drill
Link to your visual audition video(s) (forward 8, left slide 8, forward 8, right slide 8). First
Your full name rep - 90 BPM, all front slides; Second rep - 180 BPM,
all front slides; Third rep - 90 BPM, all backslides;
Birthdate and current age Fourth rep - 180 BPM all backslides.
Mailing address E
ffort changes: Moving only at 180 BPM, move
Phone number forward 8 to 5 for 8 counts, then jazz run 4 to 5 for 8
counts, then 8 to 5 for 8 counts, then jazz run 4 to 5
Active e-mail address for 8 counts.
Section for which you are auditioning for Backward motion: Run backwards for 20 yards.
Previous drum corps and/or marching band
experience
If you have ANY questions about the music or visual
aspects of a media audition, please read the FAQ
section of this packet, or contact John Meehan
(john@jksmusic.com).
Two things:
VisualKeep your feet in time, and stay tall! 2017 Trumpet Audition Exercises
Q: What kinds of things are you looking for with my Q: Can I audition even though I may audition for another
audition? corps?
A: We look for all of the basic things.. tone quality, flexibility, A: YES! We understand you need to keep your options open.
finger dexterity and range, but also your ability to control Feel free to audition for as many corps as you please. Just
articulation, intervallic control, overall awareness of your remember, if we or any of the other corps offer you a spot (or
horn and MANY other things. Outside of your musical talents, a call back opportunity), you WILL need to make a decision.
we also look at your personality, work ethic and ability to
Q: Are there any scholarships or sponsorships I can get
respond to corrective criticism (like you would have to during
to help with my tour fees?
the season) as these are just as important when push comes
to shove in the heat of the battle! A: Once you are accepted into The Blue Devils, you will
receive a handbook with information regarding these oppor-
Q: What are your age requirements? tunities.
A: The average age for The Blue Devil A Corps is 19 and
Q: Is there any way I can audition on more than one
ages range from 15 to 22. While we have no age limit, when
instrument? Like Trumpet AND Mellophone?
you are under 17, age is a consideration. If you have the talent
to make the corps, no matter what the age, we will of course A: We prefer you audition on one instrument only. If you are
consider accepting you. If you happen to be under 17, we a Trumpet player but wouldnt mind playing Mellophone if it
would need to talk with your parents just to make sure they were to help you get a spot, please put that on your audition
understand the activity and what the commitment would be form the day of the audition. You could also mention this
for joining The Blue Devils. We have had members as young during your music audition. Audition on the instrument you
as 15. are most comfortable with.
Q: Do you have any inside information to help me Q: Will I find out my status by the end of the audition
prepare for my audition? weekend?
A: The most important piece of information I can give A: One of three things will happen at the end of the audition
ANYONE auditioning for The Blue Devils is to come prepared! day/weekend. #1) We will congratulate you and accept you
Take the audition as seriously as you would a final exam (or into the 2017 Concord Blue Devil brass section. #2) We will
at least the way you SHOULD prepare for a final), otherwise inform you that you have passed the first step and will be
well never know your true talent. Remember, you are audi- invited to our first full corps camp in January, 2017. It will
tioning for one of the best brass sections in the marching be at this camp that we begin learning the 2017 technique
activity, and although you dont have to be the best player in program and show music with the entire brass section. We
the world to be a part of our organization, you DO need to will also make ALL final decisions on your acceptance at this
have pride and dedication to your instrument. This is a huge camp. In other words, you will know if you are accepted or
event in most peoples lives, take full advantage of it! not by the end of the January camp. #3) We will inform you
that unfortunately we cannot offer you a spot in the 2017
Q: Can I audition even if I have no intention of marching? Blue Devil brass section. This is always the most difficult
A: YES! Many people each year audition just for the expe- thing for us to do as we wish we could accept everyone that
rience. The more you do one on one auditions, the more auditions. For most, there will be more audition years left
comfortable you will get. and this one can be looked at as a learning experience to
better prepare for the 2018 auditions.
Q: How long would I have to live in California? Scenario #2 Move to Concord, get a local job and attend
A: This answer varies person to person. We have some classes at a local college. Some members CHOOSE to take
members that move to Northern California in January so a semester off of school and live in California for 6 months.
they can not only attend all rehearsals, but also work and go Most (if not all) of these members move into an apartment
to school for the semester, kind of a change of pace. Beyond with other BD members in similar situations to save on the
that, we have some members that commute to camps costs of living.
January through May (either by car or plane) and move to Q: Since I dont live in California, does that mean I need
Northern California once school is out for the year (usually to take a semester off of school?
sometime during the month of May). For more information,
A: No, refer to the Q&A above with scenarios 1 & 2. You CAN
continue reading in the following question.
take a semester off of school, but that would be YOUR choice.
Q: Do I have to move to the Concord area if accepted? We try to make being a part of The Blue Devils as attainable
A: Most people think that in order to be a member of The as possible, for everyone.
Concord Blue Devils brass section you HAVE to move to Q: How many camps do I have to attend?
Concord in January and put all facets of your life on hold.
A: We have rehearsal camps once a month January through
This is NOT true! Our attendance policy has changed over
April. We also have weekend rehearsals in May and all day
the past several years and is now VERY consistent with the
rehearsals beginning mid-May. All in all, that is 6 weekend
other top drum corps in the country. Here are the 2 scenar-
rehearsals before the all day rehearsals begin. Out of those
ios that I see the majority of our members committing to
6, we expect as much participation as possible. How much
each year.
exactly is determined once you make the corps, this is more
Scenario #1 Continue going to school and work like normal of a personalized schedule. Mandatory school conflicts are
and travel to Blue Devil camps. Once accepted into the 2017 always excused. We require once you are out of school for
Blue Devil brass section, you only have to attend monthly the year, that you are at ALL rehearsals after that.
camps during January, February, March and April. During
Q: Where do I stay for camps and all day rehearsals?
that time (4 months), you would spend a total of 12 days in
Concord for mandatory rehearsals (school conflicts can be A: You are responsible for your own housing at camps and
worked out as excused absences). Once May rolls around, all days. Many new members stay at a local hotel for the first
your attendance will be determined by your school sched- camp (this hotel offers a special BD rate), then figure out
ule. Once you are out of school for the summer, you will be ways to save money with other members for the following
required to attend all rehearsals beginning in May, so it is camps. For all days, members usually share an apartment
highly suggested that you move to the Concord area then. for the 5+ weeks. There are also local members that house
out of town members as well as alumni and booster club
If you ARE still in school in May, we will create an individually members that open their homes. The Blue Devils also have a
based attendance policy based on your last day of school. housing coordinator that helps people once they have been
Once school is out, you will need to move to Concord imme- accepted into the corps.
diately as we begin all-day every-day rehearsals in mid-May.
We COMPLETELY understand that some schools end after
mid-May, so no worries. This is why I say we will create an
individually based attendance policy JUST for you.
Q: I am going to do an early May tour with my College, Q: Will there be another audition at the Bands Of
what is your policy in that regard? America Grand National Finals?
A: If you make the brass section, we will deal with this as A: No. We will NOT be holding an audition at BOA this year.
best as possible as long as it does not conflict with too much
Q: What music is BD going to play in 2017?
rehearsal. We have had members in the past who have
participated in both May school tours as well as The Blue A: This decision is usually made near the end of Novem-
Devils. ber, around Thanksgiving. Stay tuned to the BD website for
further details.
Q: If I cant make it to one of the live auditions, what do
I do? Q: If someone doesnt make the A Corps, could they
march the B Corps?
A: Use the Media Audition option.
A: Yes, but most B Corps members are from the California
Q: Im from Germany and would like to do the audition area. Unlike the A Corps, the B Corps is (almost) solely
by DVD or other media. Is this OK? made up of California members who can commute to
A: YES! We realize how expensive it can be to audition for an rehearsals via car or train. The B Corps rehearses most
American drum corps when you are from another country. weekends January through May, then begin more daily
Sending in a media audition is fully acceptable. rehearsals in June (once high schools have ended for the
year). If you dont make the A Corps and are interested in
Q: I am from a foreign country, can I get a letter from
the B Corps, let us know at the end of the audition process.
The Blue Devils to help secure a visa?
A: Yes. Upon acceptance into The Blue Devils, we could Q: What College would be easiest to attend if I were to
provide you with a letter of participation to help secure your be accepted into The Blue Devils?
travel visa. A: Diablo Valley College, Los Medanos College, University Of
California Berkeley, Hayward State University, San Francisco
Q: Im not sure if Im going to be able to afford it, should
State University and San Joe State University.
I audition?
A: YES! Audition even if you dont plan on marching until Q: Do you have a specific mouthpiece I have to play on?
2018. The experience will only help and if you DO make A: For your audition, NO. If you are accepted into the brass
it, who knows, you might just figure out how to afford it. I section, you WILL be required to play on our specially
suggest you worry about these issues AFTER youve made designed System Blue mouthpieces for the 2017 season.
the corps, not before. Every section in 2017 will be on a uniformed mouthpiece
(specifically picked by the staff to best fit the tone and range
Q: How much would it cost if I made The Blue Devils?
of each instrument/section).
A: Please check out this link for that information - http://
www.bluedevils.org/join/#fees Q: Is there any way I can try out for both Trumpet and
color guard? Would I have to attend two camps?
Q: I have heard you need previous drum corps experi-
A: Yes, you can audition for both the brass section AND the
ence to be accepted, true?
color guard, but you would have to attend both auditions.
A: NO! We have members each year in ALL sections with
no previous drum corps experience. Does it help? Yes. Is it Q: Is there a hair length standard for male members?
required? No. A: No.
TOGETHER,
ITS OUR TIME.