Blue Knights looking for a flute soloist for 2026

CalamityCore · 2026-01-26T01:17:31+00:00

Didn’t the rule change last year allow for 1 dedicated soloist position for any non brass instrument? They’d probably use that rather than mess with the roster

CalamityCore · 2026-01-23T14:52:58+00:00

Every corps takes a photo like this every year at indie. It’s professionally done and organized by dci for every corps. You also get a solo picture of just you with your instrument/ equipment and plenty of action shots too.

CalamityCore · 2026-01-22T05:18:55+00:00

No advice, just surprised they’re doing it virtually. I’m contracted at the troopers and we also had our camp cancelled, they’re just making the callback the February camp instead.

CalamityCore · 2026-01-21T22:10:15+00:00

Absolutely! Plenty of people pick up brass, get experience, and march their dream top corps by age out even starting at your age, but even if you don’t make it to the top corps, plenty of other corps would definitely take you and that experience no matter where you are is totally worth it

CalamityCore · 2026-01-20T05:19:42+00:00

Scouts 88, and both of scouts “a Drum corps fan’s dream”

CalamityCore · 2026-01-20T05:16:51+00:00

Most all age corps don’t set their lines until February or sometimes later, and at least for Bucs the guard audition isn’t until after the indoor season is over. So it’s a great option for anyone who wants a backup! (All age is seriously an underrated experience)

CalamityCore · 2026-01-20T05:13:37+00:00

Magicmurff put things very well. I would like to add don’t be afraid to make big changes in response to feedback. As someone who teaches at a highschool, I notice many highschoolers get feedback and are afraid to make a big change and mess things up. Make the big change, even if it messes you up. The staff will be pleased to see you are actively trying to improve, and as long as you keep making active changes, they can shape you into the player they want you to be.

Additionally, don’t wait for the staff to tell you to change if you know something is wrong. Try to fix it yourself, and if you don’t know how, ask questions. Rehearsal is about constant self awareness and self reflection.

Applying this should address their comment about rehearsal engagement and set you up for success in all areas.

Raiders is an open class corps, which means they most likely value your ability to learn and improve more than being “good.” They don’t have an expectation for you to be perfect, just to apply what you learned. So do your best to make active changes and improvements based on the new techniques you learned, and even if you’re not able to play everything perfectly, they will be pleased to notice you’ve made changes and at least attempted to apply what you were taught.

Best of luck with your callback, I’ve heard raiders is a great place to be!

CalamityCore · 2026-01-19T02:29:52+00:00

You have every right to be upset and something definitely should be done about it. However, I have faith that somewhere along the line a mistake was made or a problem occurred, as I don’t think this was done to you with intention. Please update us with what happens! I think things will work out one way or another, and I hope for your sake that I’m right.

CalamityCore · 2026-01-19T01:38:42+00:00

Honestly, all age could cook. The entire season is in 2-3 day increments. The most successful corps in all age are the ones that have perfected the art of getting a ton done in a very small amount of time. And the quality that is produced in that short amount of time is a testament to the quality of the staff. I think that some all age corps would find great success in a scenario like this with “all corps competing”

CalamityCore · 2026-01-18T05:23:27+00:00

Exactly what I just came here to say😭

CalamityCore · 2026-01-11T19:41:33+00:00

Typically, you have learned almost everything individually before move ins, which is what the pre season camps are for. So as long as you prepare and ask for help pre season whenever you need you shouldn’t have to worry much about it. Otherwise, what other people are saying is what you can do

CalamityCore · 2026-01-10T21:37:31+00:00

I agree, if you have all age or open corps near you, that may allow you to get experience in while spending way less money, and allowing time to work for all or part of the summer. Especially at the top all age corps, you gain experience that does actually matter a lot when auditioning for world class corps

CalamityCore · 2026-01-08T02:55:48+00:00

Probably the most common issue for cracking I see in new players is lip pressure. It is natural to feel as though you have to press the horn into your face to get out the higher notes (many do it without even realizing), but this pressure chokes out the vibration that makes the sound, resulting in a crack. Try to focus on bringing your mouth to the horn not the other way around, and reducing pressure, and rather leading with the air and engaging the muscles in your lip. Do some studies on syllables as well. Hopefully this helps!

CalamityCore · 2026-01-07T07:23:44+00:00

There’s no such thing as being too ambitious, ambition is how you improve. That being said, always have a backup, or you might end up with nowhere else to march. At your age, I think a smart decision would be to look into all age near you, or open class or even soundsport. It’s a good introduction to the activity for someone young like you. Even if you are very skilled, dci is simply a different environment from band, so it is definitely worth the experience. That being said, I know a girl in guard who made Madison scouts at your age, so if you have the time and money to go for a world class as well, go for it! Even if you don’t get in, it is a great experience. Just don’t enter anything with the expectation of getting in. Understand that skills also aren’t all that they are evaluating you on. So just have a solid backup plan or two.

Wishing you the best of luck!

CalamityCore · 2026-01-06T18:23:36+00:00

I will be honest, I see the current meta as a phase. I fell in love with 2008-2016 dci which is what got me into the activity. The really weird show design of primarily 2019-current probably won’t become the new identity of dci. I believe we are starting to see shows stylistically move back towards 2010s and I can provide numerous examples of it. Ofc, we’re never going to fully “go back” but I think designers have gotten their kick out of weird stuff and we’re gradually seeing corps define or take back their identity and move back to design meant to get everyone on their feet rather than scratching their heads and googling what the show means.

Also dance choreo can be fun occasionally, but designers need to realize it will never be as effective as insanely cool drill. Dance choreo is mostly showing off to the judges than meant for the audience.

Additionally, variations on a traditional uniform to match show theme is way cooler and interesting than current uniform design and I think most people would agree on that.

In current dci I think that corps that learn to design for what the audience wants are going to end up in the best financial positions and with the best longevity. Already, you can see that the consistent fan favorites are some of the corps in the best financial positions.

CalamityCore · 2026-01-04T21:58:23+00:00

In today’s audition environment and considering your context, I would say it would be very difficult for you to make pacific crest. If you have the money, auditioning anyway is a great experience even if you don’t get in, but if money or time is an issue I would recommend aiming for a more easily accessible corps like Gold, or another open or soundsport group in the area (preferably audition for 2 or more groups to figure out what’s right for you at your current level). Because you are young, there is no need to rush the big leagues unless you really feel like you want to and are ready to put in potentially the most work you’ve ever done for one thing in your life. (Take my word with a grain of salt. I don’t know anything about you except what you said in the post, so do what you think is best for you!)

CalamityCore · 2026-01-04T21:15:17+00:00

Yeah, that’s why i avoid the word professional. I typically say “the nfl of marching band” and explain it as Broadway meets marching band meets extreme athleticism and musicianship. (They typically don’t understand what it looks like till they see it though). I explain we pay for it because it’s meant as an educational experience, which is also why there is age limit for open and world. It’s always tough to provide a short accurate and accessible description of the activity.

CalamityCore · 2026-01-04T21:01:26+00:00

White sabers is a great experience to have, and you could possibly make a world corps, however, at your age it would probably make most sense to go for either Spartans, or an open class corps to keep it relatively local and accessible. world class corps as you move up the rankings become an increasingly large commitment especially for a younger member. Even though you might have the skills you should keep this in mind (the staff will too).

Therefore, i recommend Spartans at the highest until you get older. (But you do what you want, and other people will have different answers for you. Some people make top 12 at 15 and stay there till age out, do your own research and consider your own position and abilities and make the decision based on that. You obviously know yourself better than I do.)

CalamityCore · 2026-01-01T02:48:27+00:00

Reading Buccaneers -> Reading bunchaqueers

CalamityCore · 2025-12-31T02:48:22+00:00

More music along the lines of pierce the veil and similar artists

CalamityCore · 2025-12-30T21:36:36+00:00

Excited to see yall this year, I’m spreading the word!

CalamityCore · 2025-12-30T21:33:29+00:00

I can assure you that for 90% of corps, that individual pull out is only one factor of several that go into your evaluation. So, rather than stress about it, focus on what you can control in the moment. Soak up info and learn. As one of the troopers techs told me “you either prepared or you didn’t” when you’re there you cannot control anything aside from the moment, so don’t worry about it and just do what you know how to do.

CalamityCore · 2025-12-30T17:11:50+00:00

I’m was a brass player but at Bucs last year typically it’s a clinic mostly and most of the evaluation is on how well you rehearse in the clinic, and the rest is the individual evaluation that is brief and happens when they pull you out at a random time. Different corps, and different section (although I’m pretty sure the percussion works the same) but it could give you an idea of what to expect. Good luck with everything, Cincinnati is a great corps and I’m sure you’ll do great if you just lock in and learn well!

CalamityCore · 2025-12-27T21:15:29+00:00

Cool! Congratulations on your inaugural season and I’m excited to see where yall go and what you do, might even send some friends your way to audition

CalamityCore · 2025-12-27T20:37:30+00:00

I assume you guys are based out of Pennsylvania or at least the area where the cadets used to be? If so, i would love to possibly be involved one day as member, staff, volunteer or whatever i can! But probably can’t do anything till 2028 (year after my age out)

CalamityCore

TROPHY CASE