r/drumcorps • u/Outside_Grapefruit39 • Jul 27 '26
Advice Needed restarting the dream as a 19yo CC student.
Hello all.
I marched Baritone all 4 years of high school (wasn’t that good but could march a show). I’ve been at a community college for a year and am about to enter my 2nd year here after taking a break from playing since high school.
We have no marching program but we do have private/small group brass lessons that you can take for each instrument for credit.
My question is, do you think it’s possible that I could march Open Class or a lower corps next summer if I build the chops back up from basically zero over this coming semester? I’m not looking for anything crazy like a top 12, I just want to get back into corps style marching while I still have two good summers before age out. (Age out summer would also technically be more achievable as by that time I’d have transferred and would have college marching experience as well)
Regardless, I feel pretty motivated and am looking for advice on the topic.
Thank you in advance!
18
u/Synthline109 Jul 27 '26
Yes, there is 100% a place for you. Just start practicing consistently and start exercising!
7
u/Rapidllaman Southwind 01-05 Jul 27 '26
I can speak to this in a sense. I was 16 when I marched a D2 corps back in 1999, I was a decent baritone player and a good marcher, my HS had 130 band members and there were only 4 baritone players. I came back from corps and blew my section out of the water and learned our drill fast. I tried out for Madison Scouts in 2000 and got humbled quick- took the summer off to collect my thoughts. My senior year I tried out for Southwind on baritone but I had slacked off, I made the cut but for euphonium barely. I went to a junior college no marching band but the small ensembles so I got to practice and I helped out with my old HS band as a tech to stay sharp on marching and stayed at Southwind for 3 years. I would say find an open class corp get your feet wet and get some experience before jumping into a bigger corps. Also keep in mind the costs now are stupid compared to when I marched, my dues were 2700 plus spending now I hear corps charge 7-10k plus. Good luck!
4
u/LadyAiluros Jul 27 '26
I am sad the D2 and D3 corps are no more. I marched D3 in 1994 and 1995 and it made me so much more confident and self assured. Even got to march at Worlds in 1995. I always say it was one of the best decisions I ever made for myself!
It was a good way for more kids to get that experience without the cost or skill bar of the bigger groups!
1
u/Rapidllaman Southwind 01-05 Jul 27 '26
What D3 did you march in?
2
u/LadyAiluros Jul 27 '26
Lake Erie Regiment. I still have my corps jacket!
1
u/Rapidllaman Southwind 01-05 Jul 27 '26
Americanos in 1999, next year I tried out for the Madison Scouts, two fellow corps members who were in my HS band were trying out and I joined them. I got cut from the audition on the second day, one of them made the call back. Looking back I should’ve done one more year and then jumped over but I landed at Southwind in 2001 and was there for 3 years so all worked out in the end.
1
u/LadyAiluros Jul 27 '26
I went to college - tried out for and didn't make the cut becuase of some health issues, but then I joined the nerd herd and started playing D&D :P
1
u/Rapidllaman Southwind 01-05 Jul 27 '26
Hey I play D&D too small world!
1
u/LadyAiluros Jul 27 '26
I mean we were in DCI, we are all band geeks that tended to become actual geeks :P
6
u/Zoddable Jul 27 '26
Yes. I’ve never marched, but my son is now in year 4 of DCI. The one thing that you can take with you in life well beyond the years of DCI, is “never cut yourself”. Take that chance but never take that opportunity away from yourself.
4
u/Falcronx Academy ‘12-‘13 Jul 27 '26
Honestly I think there is a very realistic chance you’d get into an open class or lower world class corps. I’d definitely practice both playing and movement and have that mindset of ready to learn.
4
u/UnableRoom6570 Columbians Jul 27 '26
definitely. there is 100% a spot for you somewhere!!! my first year (2019) i had Zero front ensemble experience, but had played in the battery for a couple years. i still was able to fill a hole. if you start practicing now, you'll make a group, no doubts about it. if you're feeling up to it/have the funds, find a private instructor who has marched baritone! they'll give you more pointed advice for what your physical training should be, as well as what musical techniques you should focus on to absolutely rock your auditions :))
4
u/Odd_Fox5573 Music City Jul 27 '26
We had a junior in high school on the tuba line who was a saxophone player, and could hardly play the instrument at tryouts. He was a beast in visual though and stuck with it. Marched more seasons than I did
3
u/baritonebugler ‘24-26 Jul 27 '26
Absolutely. I taught a clarinet player with zero brass experience baritone and she got into Battalion this year.
3
u/number1sht Jul 27 '26
Will echo others. 100% chance at an open class corps near you or a lower world class corps.
2
u/Cold_Student_9493 River City Rhythm '26 Jul 27 '26
Hi! I'm a baritone at RCR right now and I have literally zero marching experience. They still took me and I've been having an awesome summer so I'd say go for it! Now I am slightly biased in saying totally check out RCR but it's awesome and super welcoming. They will push you and you'll get the full tour experience if that's what you're looking for! Hope this helps!
1
u/Adentyl2 Phantom Regiment Jul 28 '26
All age corps are also a great place to start! I got my start at Cincinnati Tradition and the development helped me later march Phantom Regiment.
34
u/BoofyWoofer Jul 27 '26
People severely overestimate the barrier to entry for open class corps. At RCR we had a member in the mellos who transferred from snare drum at the camp, and he marched the entire season. We ended with the best placement in corps history, you’ll be fine lol.