Raiders Drum & Bugle Corps
The Raiders will celebrate our 35th Anniversary this season. Will you be a part of it?
We’re ready for the upcoming DCI season. And we’re ready for you to join us. Sign up today.
How to Apply for the Raiders
The steps are the same if you want to join for the season or just to give the Raiders a try for 1 weekend.
Step 1
Registration Packet
Register for the season by purchasing a Registration Packet.
Buying this packet gets you entered into our online system so you can receive updated information as well as the exercises needed for your audition.
Registration Packet OPTIONAL for Open House
Checking out Open House but not sure yet about auditioning? No sweat — all you need is an Open House ticket!
Open House attendees who are interested in audition should also purchase a registration packet.
Step 2
Purchase a Camp Ticket
The first camp you come to will serve as your audition camp.
The exercises you play at camp will be just one part of your audition.
In addition to how well you play, spin, and march, we will assess your ability to take feedback from instructors and improve yourself throughout the camp.
Step 3
Pass or Retry
If you pass the audition, you will be invited to join the Raiders.
If you do not pass the audition, you may receive an invitation to attend a future camp (callback camp) with feedback on what needs to be improved in order to pass the audition.
Alternate Step 2
If you cannot attend a camp to audition, you have the option to purchase a video audition.
This will allow you to get feedback from the staff and a successful video audition usually results in an invitation to attend a callback camp in person.
Audition for Raiders DBC
Come audition for your spot with the Raiders! Attend our audition camps and experience drum corps first-hand.
EVERYONE is welcome at our rehearsal and audition camps! — Even if you’ve never marched drum corps before.
Rehearsal & Audition Camps
Can’t make it to an in-person camp? Submit an audition video instead.
Want to talk first?
Thinking about joining?
Get on the list.
EVERYONE is welcome to audition for a spot with #RaidersDBC. That means you!
Fill out this form to get your name on our list. We’ll send you all the info you need to get started.
Use this form to get in touch with our staff, and ask us any questions you like—
We’d love to hear from you!
Hear from the Raiders
We are constantly proud of our members, and they’re proud to be #TeamRaidersDBC. Here are few who wanted to share their stories.
Thomas - Bass Drum
Joseph - Trumpet
Violet - Color Guard
Gavin - Baritone
Luke - Mellophone
Megan - Asst. Drum Major
If you want to talk to a current Raiders member about their experience, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to connect you to someone who lives the #TeamRaidersDBC life.
Why Raiders?
Enjoy a Shorter Tour
A summer with the Raiders is not as rigorous as a DCI World Class tour. Move-ins begin after most high schools have finished, and our tour begins later. We end our national tour with DCI Championships in Indianapolis.
DCI at Half the Cost
We keep tuition low while still offering a great DCI experience. The Raiders are one-half the cost of other local corps and one-quarter the cost of a travel sports team — and we offer a nearly year-round program.
Prepare for World Class
Though many Raiders choose to make the corps their home until they age out of DCI, others successfully continue their drum corps career with top World Class corps.
Common Questions
Who is eligible to be a member of the Raiders?
Members must be age 21 or younger as of May 31 of the current season. Members must also remain in good standing by adhering to our rules and policies and by meeting all membership obligations in a timely manner.
What is the rehearsal and performance schedule?
Our audition season begins in November with auditions on Sundays in various locations and continues with rehearsal weekends (Friday night through Sunday afternoon) once a month from December through June. Students can join any time until all positions are filled, however it is recommended to audition as early in the season as possible to obtain a desired spot.
Spring training commences on June 21st and will continue with rehearsals and performances until we leave for the DCI national tour around July 23. The tour will brings us through New England, Pennsylvania, and the Mid-West where we will complete the tour at DCI Championships in Indianapolis before returning home.
I'm new. What is drum corps?
Drum and bugle corps is a marching art form mixed with pageantry requiring the highest level of athleticism and performance to create complex productions. While talent is an important factor, you are ready to be a Raider if you are willing to learn and work hard.
Auditions take place during the winter and spring, where aspiring Raiders receive feedback from our world-class educational staff. The corps offers online auditions by video for anyone who lives a large distance from our rehearsal location.
The Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps provides a program in music and performance training. Leadership, personal character, and social development skills are emphasized through the challenge, excitement, and self-discipline presented by the corps through travel, competition, and pursuit of excellence.
How can I stay involved?
We maintain contact with our members’ parents. There is a Facebook group as well as a Slack channel that help us provide up-to-date information for parents.
All parents are welcome to attend any audition or rehearsal. During our Open House camps, we will have parents’ meetings where we will offer an overview of the Raiders and all details pertaining to the members’ commitment of staying with the corps through the entire season upon successful auditions.
Many parents volunteer to help the Raiders at our weekend camps or on tour. While we have an extensive staff and administration, many parents enjoy being around the group and helping out in various ways, whether for a few hours over the course of one weekend, staying with the corps for an entire weekend, or joining us for a segment of our tour.
Some of the roles parents help with include food preparation or service, driving (whether airport runs or one of our corps vehicles), building props, helping move equipment for our performances, our managing our souvenirs. Email info@raidersdbc.org if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.
What does it cost to participate?
We will not turn anyone away for financial reasons, and we offer assistance to all who need it.
We offer fundraising opportunities, scholarships, sponsorships, and other opportunities for credits to help reduce the total cost.
Limited need-based financial aid available and is allocated on a first come, first served basis for those that qualify. We recommend attending a camp in November or December for best consideration of financial aid.
The Raiders are approximately one-half the cost of other local drum corps and one-quarter the cost of a travel sports team — and we include a nearly year-round program.
Rehearsal camps are $75 each when registering in advance. Virtual camps are free.
There is a one-time registration fee of $25 for all members who participate. We recommend attending all camps to guarantee your spot in the drum corps. Special consideration for attendance will be taken for members who live over 250 miles away.
Tuition for 2025 is currently being determined based on the final travel itinerary and cost of buses and housing, and we expect to announce by end of 2024. The tuition for the 2024 season was $3,550.
Discounts for multiple-year members, fundraising credits, scholarships, and sponsorship are available to reduce that fee.
Full tuition is due within 30 days of the offer of membership or at the next camp, whichever is earlier. A payment plan is available with the deposit made by the schedule provided.
All financial obligations must be paid in full by June 15 to remain in good standing.
Ready? Let’s go.
Take the first step.
Fill out the form to get your name on our list. We’ll send you all the info you need to get started.
We’d love to hear from you!
The Raiders Drum Corps is a program of A+ Education and Performing Arts, a New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
A+ Education and Performing Arts
PO Box 8926
Trenton, NJ 08650
Phone: 855-RAIDER-1
