Every aspiring DCI/WGI member needs to watch this video. I wish I knew these details in the first couple of years that I tried out for different corps and bombed out. I practiced like a madman for my last chance in 2021, and I finally got it. So can you! Give it your all and show up mentally 100%.
thomas even after being taught by you for 2 summers, you continue to amaze me. this is legitimately the best advice i’ve ever been given for anything surrounding this activity.
Really great video :) very much agree with the packet being second-nature, I always tell people that they should be just as comfortable with the packet as any returning veteran member would be. I'm all aged out but to anyone wanting to march, every point in this video is gold!
I am auditioning for the Bluestars this year and this information changed my entire perspective on how to prepare. I am not trying out for front ensemble I am trying out for a Baritone part but wow. This video helped me understand what to do and how to prepare so well. I’ll come back in a year to tell my story when I make it💪💪💪
Thomas, As a high school senior currently working under some great instructors, namely Nick Pourcho who you may know from your time at northcoast, I have learned many great things, but this video was the thing I needed to cement the things on which I've received differing opinions on, and to propel me into my world class marching arts career. I am so excited to start this process and use this fantastic advice.
any tips for an aspiring timpani player? i played my freshman and sophomore year of hs (current junior on the snare line) and can't seem to find much information. i've reached out to the bluecoats timpani player and he's helped me a lot about his personal experience but i don't know how much to apply to other corps and organizations. i want to audition for Blue Stars this fall since they do have timpani as an option in their interest form but I don't know how obtainable that goal is with how little information there is. any input would be great.
@@azupp4059 for timpani you need to be in the know a little bit to know who is aging out, who is moving to another corps, etc. Basically every principle from this video applies directly to timpani, just learn the packet extremely well, be a great person at the camps, and be undeniable. The hard thing on timpani is you can show up and a vet timpanist is returning to play timpani so the spot isn't really available. We do have a DCI timpanists Facebook group chat that is really helpful for this though. If you message me on Facebook (Thomas Wharton) and say you wanna get in, I'll add you.
I’m currently a clarinet sophomore who really wants to be apart of bluecoats some day. My director is willing to let me sign out a marching baritone because he recommended it. What could I do to have a smooth transition to brass?
I bet finding someone to take lessons from would be a good bet! I don't know much about brass playing, but I'm sure instruction+a lot of focused practice will result in you becoming extremely competent over time
Is there advice if you have very little time to prepare. I know this goes against what you said about knowing everything, and I wish I could have done this. However, I found out about an opportunity to audition for an indoor group 4 days before the audition date 😅
@@Jeremee22 attitude/adaptability will take you a long way. It might be tempting to tell the staff that you only had 4 days to learn it, but that might come across as an excuse. I think they'll just prefer that you are very positive, apply all their comments, and do your best. Also, prepare as much as you can even in the limited time. If you can play through the packet, depending on the group you're going out for that might be more than enough to get a spot. Some groups are more competitive than others.
Hi, I plan on auditioning for DCI this fall/winter, is there anywhere I can get in contact with you to maybe speak one on one? I'd like to further speak and expand on the things you pointed out on this video.
I’m kinda of stressed out right now because I have the resources to go try out for the bluecoats in person but I don’t know if it would be best to do a virtual tryout or a in person tryout. I’ve thought about maybe doing both, or is that too much?
@@gawky5097 in person is better, having taught drum corps there are many videos sent from students who don't actually end up turning up in person even if called back, so I think staff naturally see videos as less committal than being there in person. Showing up at the camp makes a statement. And yes, you should should at least know all your major and minor scales and have a lil cheat sheet for other scales that tells you which scale degrees to alter to get that scale, like "Dorian: minor with raised 6th. Phrygian: minor with lowered 2nd." Etc just in case. You might do em, you might not. First and foremost focus on everything the packet directly says to do, because that stuff you WILL do. After that start preparing for variations
Hey, I wanted to come back and ask you a few questions because I currently don’t have an instructor at my school and percussion as a whole has been kinda neglected by our band director. What do you look for when you are hosting tryouts? Is it technique, how you move, or what. I am just worried I am going to be missing something that will be the deal breaker when it comes to making it or not. Your input will mean the world to me.
@@gawky5097 everything is taken into consideration. For battery, how you move is definitely important and there will be a visual portion of your audition. For front ensemble, they'll also consider how you move behind the keyboard while you play, but playing ability is generally weighed higher for front ensemble. If you prepare everything the packet asks you to prepare that's a good place to be. The bluecoats are still really tough to make--if you don't make it despite being really prepared, you'll make a positive impression with the staff anyways and they can likely send you to another corps if you ask them. Corps often send their list of cuts to other corps who are in need of membership, I know at the Academy we sent some of our cuts to Cascades and they still got to march.
Every aspiring DCI/WGI member needs to watch this video. I wish I knew these details in the first couple of years that I tried out for different corps and bombed out. I practiced like a madman for my last chance in 2021, and I finally got it. So can you! Give it your all and show up mentally 100%.
Fantastic video, so universal no matter what part of the activity you’re in!
thomas even after being taught by you for 2 summers, you continue to amaze me. this is legitimately the best advice i’ve ever been given for anything surrounding this activity.
@@Almondtax12 That means so much, I appreciate it!
Really great video :) very much agree with the packet being second-nature, I always tell people that they should be just as comfortable with the packet as any returning veteran member would be. I'm all aged out but to anyone wanting to march, every point in this video is gold!
These things are the key to more than just auditions - this is how to be a great member of any team.
I am auditioning for the Bluestars this year and this information changed my entire perspective on how to prepare. I am not trying out for front ensemble I am trying out for a Baritone part but wow. This video helped me understand what to do and how to prepare so well. I’ll come back in a year to tell my story when I make it💪💪💪
awesome! best of luck!
Same exact story here, best of luck man
it’s very useful to have attainable goals like this
Thomas,
As a high school senior currently working under some great instructors, namely Nick Pourcho who you may know from your time at northcoast, I have learned many great things, but this video was the thing I needed to cement the things on which I've received differing opinions on, and to propel me into my world class marching arts career. I am so excited to start this process and use this fantastic advice.
@@uncertain3121 hell yes! That's awesome to hear 🔥
Actively taking notes on this if I ever audition thank you Mr Thomas
you should audition for a lil group called Redline my dude
@@thomaswharton4078 are you back??
Awesome video! Very very helpful (even for someone who’s marched a bunch of years)
🔥🔥🔥
i was at dinner and had to tell my friends "no way guys, THE nic farris commented on my video." Lmao.
any tips for an aspiring timpani player? i played my freshman and sophomore year of hs (current junior on the snare line) and can't seem to find much information. i've reached out to the bluecoats timpani player and he's helped me a lot about his personal experience but i don't know how much to apply to other corps and organizations. i want to audition for Blue Stars this fall since they do have timpani as an option in their interest form but I don't know how obtainable that goal is with how little information there is. any input would be great.
@@azupp4059 for timpani you need to be in the know a little bit to know who is aging out, who is moving to another corps, etc. Basically every principle from this video applies directly to timpani, just learn the packet extremely well, be a great person at the camps, and be undeniable. The hard thing on timpani is you can show up and a vet timpanist is returning to play timpani so the spot isn't really available. We do have a DCI timpanists Facebook group chat that is really helpful for this though. If you message me on Facebook (Thomas Wharton) and say you wanna get in, I'll add you.
good content
@@matthewegeler finally
Thank you!!!!
Common Thomas W
Wow, thank you.
I’m currently a clarinet sophomore who really wants to be apart of bluecoats some day. My director is willing to let me sign out a marching baritone because he recommended it. What could I do to have a smooth transition to brass?
I bet finding someone to take lessons from would be a good bet! I don't know much about brass playing, but I'm sure instruction+a lot of focused practice will result in you becoming extremely competent over time
Is there advice if you have very little time to prepare. I know this goes against what you said about knowing everything, and I wish I could have done this. However, I found out about an opportunity to audition for an indoor group 4 days before the audition date 😅
And thank you for this video. Being open and very versatile will be very helpful tomorrow.
@@Jeremee22 attitude/adaptability will take you a long way. It might be tempting to tell the staff that you only had 4 days to learn it, but that might come across as an excuse. I think they'll just prefer that you are very positive, apply all their comments, and do your best. Also, prepare as much as you can even in the limited time. If you can play through the packet, depending on the group you're going out for that might be more than enough to get a spot. Some groups are more competitive than others.
@@thomaswharton4078 Thank you very much for this. I will definitely keep things points in mind throughout today! Thanks again!
Hi, I plan on auditioning for DCI this fall/winter, is there anywhere I can get in contact with you to maybe speak one on one? I'd like to further speak and expand on the things you pointed out on this video.
Sure! Do you wanna just have a phone call or something?
I’m kinda of stressed out right now because I have the resources to go try out for the bluecoats in person but I don’t know if it would be best to do a virtual tryout or a in person tryout. I’ve thought about maybe doing both, or is that too much?
I’m also very worried that they will call out a scale that I am unfamiliar with. Although I know a good chunk of them.
@@gawky5097 in person is better, having taught drum corps there are many videos sent from students who don't actually end up turning up in person even if called back, so I think staff naturally see videos as less committal than being there in person. Showing up at the camp makes a statement. And yes, you should should at least know all your major and minor scales and have a lil cheat sheet for other scales that tells you which scale degrees to alter to get that scale, like "Dorian: minor with raised 6th. Phrygian: minor with lowered 2nd." Etc just in case. You might do em, you might not. First and foremost focus on everything the packet directly says to do, because that stuff you WILL do. After that start preparing for variations
@@thomaswharton4078 Thank you so much
Hey, I wanted to come back and ask you a few questions because I currently don’t have an instructor at my school and percussion as a whole has been kinda neglected by our band director. What do you look for when you are hosting tryouts? Is it technique, how you move, or what. I am just worried I am going to be missing something that will be the deal breaker when it comes to making it or not. Your input will mean the world to me.
@@gawky5097 everything is taken into consideration. For battery, how you move is definitely important and there will be a visual portion of your audition. For front ensemble, they'll also consider how you move behind the keyboard while you play, but playing ability is generally weighed higher for front ensemble. If you prepare everything the packet asks you to prepare that's a good place to be. The bluecoats are still really tough to make--if you don't make it despite being really prepared, you'll make a positive impression with the staff anyways and they can likely send you to another corps if you ask them. Corps often send their list of cuts to other corps who are in need of membership, I know at the Academy we sent some of our cuts to Cascades and they still got to march.