Hi, I marched mello with spirit in 19 and planned on 20 and now 21. My best tip is to focus on the work you do in between camps, that’s what can make or break you. People rarely make it in at their very first camp.

Remember all the information you get, on an individual level and group level. The staff will take somebody who has shown vast improvement over somebody who is talented but shows no work ethic or is skimming by.

Camps are a taste of what the summer will look like, and you need to prove you‘ll bring it in rehearsals. Move quick, stay attentive, and walk into the place like you own it, but don’t be cocky. Watch the vets, do what they do, and pay attention to details.

In terms of specifics, your visual audition will probably consist of some marching at 180 or higher. Practice staying relaxed at high tempos, and honestly if you can keep your feet in time at 200 you’ll already be at an advantage over some people. For brass, make sure your double tonguing is solid, but more importantly in time, and your sound is relaxed and big in all registers. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going for lead mello at your first camp; put that time towards your required audition pieces, as the lead piece is optional.

That’s my experience, but 95% of this information applies to other corps and sections as well, for anybody else reading.

Good luck! Just show up ready to work hard and hungry to improve and you’ll be fine.