Try Raiders
in 2024
The Raiders are planning the most ambitious season we’ve ever had.
Try a different DCI drum corps in 2024.
2024 Raiders Camps
EVERYONE is welcome at our clinic & audition camps! — Even if you’ve never marched drum corps before.
Come spend a few hours learning from a DCI staff — even if you don’t want to audition for the full season.
Can’t make it to an in-person camp? Submit an audition video instead.
Want to talk first?
Tell us about yourself
We’re glad to hear from you, and we’d love to talk more about starting your DCI journey.
To get started, we’ll need to know a bit more about you. Please complete this form so we can send you more info on getting started: a welcome packet, audition camp info— all the good stuff!
We’re excited 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?
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.
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.
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?
Members can join any time throughout the year until all performance and alternate spots are full. Our rehearsal season begins in November with auditions on Sundays in various locations and continues with rehearsal weekends (Friday night through Sunday afternoon) once a month through April. Rehearsals increase frequency in May and June, and our move-ins begin in June.
Move-ins 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.
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 $150 for all members who participate after February 1. 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.
For example, full tuition for the 2022 season was $2,500.
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!
Follow #TeamRaidersDBC
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
