April Preseason Camp
for New Applicants & Returning Members
Come play with the Raiders! Spend a weekend with us and see what it’s like.
EVERYONE is welcome at our rehearsal & audition camps! — Even if you’ve never marched drum corps before.
Come spend a few days learning from a DCI staff — even if you don’t want to audition for the full season.
When & Where?
Apr 26-28, 2024 Fri - Sun
A full weekend of DCI instruction, feedback & experience— including a performance. Check-in will run from 6-8pm on Friday. We will end on Sunday 4pm.
- Rehearsal Experience
- Member Auditions
- Recap Performance
- Meals provided
- Overnight housing provided at rehearsal site
Salem HS Salem, NJ
Salem, NJ high school has graciously offered to host our NJ Rehearsal & Audition camp — come meet us in Salem!
Salem High School
219 Walnut St
Salem, NJ 08079
Housing Not Included in Price
Overnight housing is available, but not included in the camp attendance cost.
Housing for Friday & Saturday nights can be purchased for $50.
Save Your Spot.
Want to try it?
EVERYONE is welcome to audition for a spot with Raiders DBC. 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!
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 2024 season by purchasing the Registration Packet.
This gets you entered into our online system so you can receive updated information as well as the exercises needed for your audition.
Step 2
Purchase a Camp Ticket
The first camp you come to will serve as your audition camp. The exercises you play 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.
Make a Payment
Buy Tickets, Meals & More
Need to purchase something at or for a Raiders camp? Make your payment here!
We don’t accept cash onsite at camps, so please buy tickets, meals, apparel & more using this online payment form.
Camp Purchases
Need to purchase something at or for a Raiders camp? Make your payment here!
How it Works
Two ways to enjoy our Rehearsal & Audition camps: Rehearsal Track and Audition Track. Attendees register for their preferred Track.
We designed our pre-season events to be as inclusive and accessible as possible for everyone.
Not sure if you’re ready for a drum corps season? No problem—the Rehearsal Track is perfect for you!
Audition Track
Start your DCI journey and audition for a spot with #RaidersDBC!
If you’re ready for a season of competitive, unforgettable DCI experience — we want you! Join the Audition Track and take the first step toward becoming part of #TeamRaidersDBC!
No prior drum corps experience needed!
Rehearsal Track
Spend the weekend learning from an established Open Class DCI staff.
Not ready for a whole season with a DCI corps? No problem — our Rehearsal Track is perfect for you. Register for a rehearsal and spend a weekend learning from a DCI staff and experienced members.
No experience and no audition necessary!
Ready to sign up? →
What to Expect
#RaidersDBC Rehearsal & Audition camps include a full weekend of effort, education, and experience.
The afternoon and evening sessions are broken into hour-long blocks. Each block is dedicated to a certain skill or objective.
Each track offers slightly different experiences throughout the full weekend. Here’s how the tracks compare:
Rehearsal Experience
During this block, each caption and section of the drum corps will rehearse separately. Skills & objectives may include technique and preparing for the the camp Performance Experience.
Both Tracks will participate together in this block.
Audition Track
Rehearsal Track
Performance Experience
After the Rehearsal Experience has ended, all sections of the drum corps put on performances for each other, and for any visiting friends, family, and volunteers.
Both Tracks will participate together in this block.
Audition Track
Rehearsal Track
Audition Experience
During the audition portion of the camp, each Audition Track members will have an opportunity to play/perform individually, and be evaluated their staff.
Rehearsal Track members are welcome to watch and learn how the audition process works.
Audition Track
Rehearsal Track
Open Auditions
Open Auditions refers to “extra” time for staff to evaluate more prospective members. This often includes any remaining Audition Track members and/or any Rehearsal Track members who changed their mind and wish to audition.
Audition Track
Rehearsal Track
Dinner
These camps run for a full 8 hours. All members from both Tracks will have an hour-long break to eat dinner and relax.
Dinner will be provided the corps for all Audition Track members. Rehearsal Track members must provide their own dinner, or can purchase dinner from the corps for $10.
Audition Track
Rehearsal Track
Raiders T-shirt
Uniformity is key in drum corps. So what drum corps experience would be complete without some branded gear?
A Raiders t-shirt will be provided the corps for all Audition Track members. Rehearsal Track members may choose to purchase a t-shirt for $25.
Audition Track
Rehearsal Track
Ready to sign up? →
Raiders Weekend Camps
No audition required
Not ready for a full DCI season? — No problem.
Even if you’re not ready to try out for a DCI drum corps, we STILL want you to try our Rehearsal Camps!
You’ll learn from our DCI staff, and see how a drum corps operates at the highest levels — with no pressure to audition if you’re not ready.
DCI staff rehearsal
Come learn from the full Raiders DBC staff of DCI veterans.
DCI drum corps is its own world. Come spend a few hours or a full day learning from our veteran staff.
Everyone on the #RaidersDBC teaching staff has earned their place thanks to their extensive experience.
Dinner & VIP t-shirt
Our Rehearsal Camps provide the full experience!
It’s more than breathing exercises, drop spins, and 8-on-a-hand. We want our students to feel proud of their time with #RaidersDBC — even if it’s just one weekend.
All rehearsal attendees will receive (or can purchase) a #RaidersDBC t-shirt, and share a meal with staff and other attendees.
Weekend Camp Questions
How much does it cost?
The Audition track is all-inclusive at $75 and includes all Experiences, Auditions, Dinner, and a Raiders t-shirt
The Rehearsal track is a great bargain at $25 and includes all Experiences and to watch Auditions. You would make arrangements for your own dinner.
However, dinner can be purchased for $10, and/or the Raiders t-shirt for $25.
Should I bring my own instrument?
The Raiders will have instruments available but it’s possible we will run out for certain sections.
If it’s convenient and you have the space, please bring your own instrument if you have one (except front ensemble).
Bring any brass instrument, even if it’s not normally drum-corps style (ie. trombone, Sousaphone, etc.)
Is it hard?
The Raiders Rehearsal Auditions are designed to be fun, educational, and inspiring.
You will learn many new things and they will be in an encouraging environment where you will learn to improve yourself, make new friends, and have fun while doing so.
Any Covid precautions?
The Raiders requires all participants, staff, and, volunteers to be fully vaccinated according to CDC guidelines.
Masking and vaccine protocols may be modified as required by event location, state, and school guidelines.
Make a Payment
Buy Tickets, Meals & More
Need to purchase something at or for a Raiders camp? Make your payment here!
We don’t accept cash onsite at camps, so please buy tickets, meals, apparel & more using this online payment form.
Camp Purchases
Need to purchase something at or for a Raiders camp? Make your payment here!
Save Your Spot.
Ready to sign up?
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!
