January 15-17 Rehearsal & Audition Weekend Details

January 6, 2016

The third rehearsal and audition for the 2016 Colts will be held January 15-17, at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa. For first time 2016 season camp attendees, the cost of this rehearsal is $175, ($125 for returning members). If this is your second or third rehearsal weekend 0f 2016, the cost is $60. This fee is collected at each camp and covers your meals, overnight accommodations, instruction, and materials. This fee does not apply to summer fees.

New students are welcome to attend! There are still openings in all sections.

CLICK HERE for a Google map to the facility.

Registration will begin at 7:30 pm, and rehearsal begins at 9:00 pm Friday. The weekend will conclude around 4:00 pm on Sunday. There will be a 2:15 pm performance Sunday afternoon to recap what weve covered over the course of the weekend.

Parents are welcome to bring a sleeping bag and sleep in a classroom at the facility. We also have arrangements for discounted rates at the Hampton Inn in Dubuque. The Hampton Inn is a great sponsor of the Colts! To take advantage of these rates, please call the Hampton Inn directly (563-690-2005) and tell them you are with the Colts.

Always check www.colts.org within a few hours of leaving for Dubuque for any last-minute updates! Please RSVP now with your plans!

PARKING
Parking is available after 6 pm on Friday in the city lot next to the Five Flags at the corner of 5th and Main Streets. Parking is also available in the Five Flags Center Ramp on the corner of 4th and Iowa Streets. As most of this parking is metered on Saturday, all drivers should be sensitive and aware of where you physically park to avoid getting ticketed or fined.

MEMBER APPLICATION AND RSVP
Please RSVP regardless of your plans for this camp, so we can keep you up to date. Please also submit a Member Application on the Colts website if you have not already done so this season. Submitting your application in advance will save you a great deal of time when you check in.

Paying in advance will also speed up your check in process. First time attendees get a $25 discount by paying a week before the camp date. You can pay your camp fees now through the Colts Store until Tuesday night prior to camp.

WHAT TO BRING
Students stay overnight in the gym on the floor, as you will all summer. Bring changes of clothes, shower supplies, towel, sleeping bag and pillow, comfortable clothes for rehearsal, and tennis shoes (no high tops, please). Many students will bring an inflatable mattress with a battery-powered air pump. Brass and battery members should wear a white shirt with black (or dark color) shorts or sweatpants that can be rolled up for visual rehearsal.

Brass: Please bring your own mouthpiece, marching instrument, music stand, and gloves. If you do not have access to an instrument and will need one provided, please contact colts@colts.org. Be prepared to play the exercises and excerpts provided in the brass packet that best fits your area of interest: Trumpet, Mellophone, Baritone/Euphonium, or Tuba. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare a personal selection on any instrument of choice. These selections may include any etude or solo, from any source, but should demonstrate your best musical and technical abilities. You are welcome to play your primary instrument for your personal selection (French horn, trombone, clarinet, etc). Please bring a black t-shirt and jeans for the Sunday afternoon performance.

Color Guard: Bring lightweight, workout clothing for rehearsals (no jeans), black pants or shorts and a black shirt for Sunday's performance, your own rifle and/or sabre (if you can), and knee pads (if you like). There is no need to purchase any special equipment for rehearsals.

Percussion: Please bring your own sticks or mallets and your practice pad. Prospective members should be familiar with the exercise packet that best fits your area of interest: Battery, Cymbals, or Front Ensemble. Snare, tenor, and front ensemble students should prepare a short solo (1-2 minutes) for your individual audition in addition to the exercises found in the technique packet. Cymbal students are asked to perform a short phrase of your own choice musically and visually, in addition to the musical excerpt included in the cymbal packet. Individual solos and selections should best demonstrate your musical and technical abilities. Please bring a black t-shirt and jeans for the Sunday afternoon performance.

TRAVEL PLANS
We can pick you up and drop you off at the airport or bus station in Dubuque at any time over the weekend. If you need assistance getting here from another airport, please call us BEFORE booking any flights. Rides from other local airports such as Moline (MLI) or Cedar Rapids (CID) can generally be accommodated.

If you need help finding a ride to camp, or to arrange rides from an airport or bus station, please notify us ASAP by email at colts@colts.org or call 563-582-4872. You can also help fellow members by offering a ride in your vehicle. You can let us know if you have extra room or if need a ride on your RSVP.

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS & CONTRACTS
There are positions available in every section of the corps. Individuals attending our first events are given priority over those who do not attend these rehearsals. Following the weekend, you will receive 1) an offer of membership, 2) a recall for a second and final audition, or 3) a suggestion that you come back again next year. Most will receive a recall to a second rehearsal, so plan accordingly so we can be sure of our commitment to each other.

If this is your second rehearsal, we are specifically looking for the growth you have made in the past month. Your audition will be very similar to the prior month, and please be prepared in the same manner as which was asked for your first audition. A decision will be made regarding your membership after this camp. If you cannot attend this camp, please make sure you are communicating with the office and your caption head about when you will be here.

Individuals offered a contract should begin making payments on your fees immediately when you submit your contract. If you cannot attend this rehearsal, you must be in touch in advance to preserve your position in the corps. Initial contract offerings are valid until noon on Saturday of this rehearsal. We must have a signed contract with initial payment by that time, or the spot will be released to someone else.

SCHEDULE CONFLICTS
Camp attendance is critical to our and your success. If you cannot attend this rehearsal but are planning to attend an upcoming audition, you must be in touch in advance with the office through the RSVP form. It is important to communicate with your caption head as well. Too much communication is better than not enough.

If you have schedule conflicts with our preseason rehearsals, talk with us. We can usually work it out with you. Attending part of the weekend is better than not attending at all. Do not lose your opportunity to perform with the Colts over a lack of communication.

EMAIL AND WEBSITE
Make sure you sign onto the email distribution list with your current email address, and check your email frequently! Encourage your parents to sign up for the membership emailings, too.

Again, please form a habit of checking the website immediately prior to departing on your travel to Dubuque. Any changes or updates relative to camp will be posted here first.

PARENTS
An informational meeting for parents will be held Friday evening at 9:45 pm in a room at the facility. Bring all of your questions! We know you have plenty of them.

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the weekend. Parental support is what makes the Colts successful, and you help provide our students the incredible Colts experience we are known for. Also, this is the best way for you to find out about our program, meet other parents and get comfortable with what this is all about. You will find a very welcoming and exciting opportunity here.

Parents will cook and serve the meals throughout the weekend, coordinate sewing projects, and occasionally assist with some repair work. We can always find something to do for anyone willing to lend a hand.

Parents are welcome to bring a sleeping bag and sleep in a classroom at the school, or you can find a discounted rate at the Hampton Inn here in Dubuque. Please ask for the Colts Drum Corps rate.

Parents are encouraged to sign onto the email mailing list to receive Colts information via email.

All parents and volunteers are automatically Colts Boosters! Plan on gathering Saturday morning at the end of breakfast (9 am) to divide for Saturday projects. If you arrive at a random time, the kitchen and check in tables are good places ask about where you can help.

Drum Corps Medical Project
7-9 pm Friday night we will have medical pre-screenings for anyone with a contract that is: 18 or older OR under the age of 18 with a parent present.

REMAINING REHEARSALS
January 15-17, 2016 Five Flags Center, Dubuque
February 19-21, 2016 Jefferson Middle School, Dubuque
March 18-20, 2016 Jefferson Middle School, Dubuque
April 29-May 1, 2016 Washington Middle School, Dubuque
May 22, 2016: Battery & Guard Early Move In Camp, Dubuque Armory
May 27, 2016: Full Corps Move In, Roosevelt Middle School, Dubuque
May 30, 2016: Parade and Summer Debut Concert in Dubuque, Iowa
Please mark these in your calendar now! These dates are firm.

SUMMER TOUR HELP!
We are scheduling summer volunteers. Check your schedules and let us know. Remember, we can be very creative in getting you in and out of tour. Cooks email colts.cooks@comcast.net Tour Drivers email colts@colts.org

Most parents purchase their own airline tickets, if necessary, to get in and out of tour, but if you volunteer two weeks or more, we can furnish your air travel upon request. Even one day helps! Come as early as you can to give us a hand (and bring fresh fruits or vegetables!).

COLTS WISH LIST FOR IN-KIND DONATIONS
8-12 Board room chairs
7 and 9 oz plastic or paper cups
9 - 10" Sturdy Paper or Styrofoam plates
Sturdy Paper or Styrofoam bowls
Medium weight plastic silverware
Gift certificates for fuel and office supply
12 oz coffee cups
An RV
Coffee - definitely caffeinated!
Paper towels
Fresh Fruits or Vegetables
A week on tour with us!

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