January 13-15 Brass & Percussion Rehearsal And Audition Weekend Details
January 3, 2017
Attend our January Brass & Percussion weekend at the beautiful Five Flags Center in Dubuque! Lots of information for students auditioning, members, and parents. New students welcome!
The January Brass & Percussion rehearsal and audition for the 2017 Colts will be held January 13-15, at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa. For first time 2017 season camp attendees, the cost of this rehearsal is $175, ($125 for returning members). If this is your second or third rehearsal weekend of the 2017 season, 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 6:30 pm., and rehearsal begins at 8:00 pm Friday. The weekend will conclude around 4:00 pm on Sunday. There will be a performance around 2:00 pm* Sunday afternoon to recap the weekend (*time subject to change! Check back the week of camp for the specific performance time).
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 before leaving for Dubuque for any last-minute updates! Please RSVP now with your plans!
Guard students should contact Colts Color Guard Caption Head, Brandon Smith, at coltscolorguard1963@gmail.com, with interest in a video audition. Color guard will be expected to be at the April camp, April 28-30, along with the rest of the drum corps.
Drum Corps Medical Project
6:30 - 8:00 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.
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 towed.
RSVP, APPLICATION, AND MEDICAL FORM
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. Returning your application in
advance will save you a great deal of time when you check in. For first time attendees, please print, fill out, and have the
Colts Medical History Form signed in advance of your arrival. You will turn this in
when you check in for camp. The Medical Form also provides permission to participate
in our activities. Students 18 or older may sign their own Medical Form. Any student
17 or younger will need a parent or guardian signature to participate. Please email colts@colts.org if you
have any questions regarding any of our forms. The application and medical forms only need to be submitted once per year unless information
changes. The RSVP should be submitted each month by interested students.
Paying in advance can also speed up your check in process. First time attendees get a $25 discount by paying at least 48 hours before camp begins. You can pay your camp fees in advance through the Colts Mall. Returning students can save a great deal of time at check in by also paying this fee in advance.
WHAT TO BRING
Students stay overnight in the arena on the floor, as you will all summer. Bring changes of clothes, shower supplies, towel, sleeping bag and
pillow, comfortable clothes for rehearsal (no jeans please), and tennis shoes (no high tops, please). Many students will bring an inflatable
mattress with a battery-powered air pump. Please bring a binder with plastic sleeves for your music and any hand-outs. Returning students should
bring their Colts camp t-shirt to wear all weekend! We will have t-shirts available for sale for $8.00 if you do not have your's.
New auditioning students will receive the audition t-shirt at check in. The shirt with your name will be worn for all rehearsal segments of the weekend. If this is your first camp, please email a picture of yourself to jason@colts.org. Include your name (first and last) and section in the email. This picture is printed on your audition form so our instructional team can quickly learn your name and face.
Brass: Please bring your own mouthpiece, marching instrument, music stand, binder for music, 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. You may also demonstrate your abilities with any piece, etude or excerpt you feel comfortable with. For the Sunday afternoon performance, please wear the audition t-shirt.
Percussion: Please bring your own sticks or mallets, practice pad, and a binder for music. Prospective members should be familiar with the exercise packet that best fits your area of interest: Battery, Cymbals, or Front Ensemble. Front ensemble students may, but are not required to, perform a short segment from a personal selection. Cymbal students should prepare a short musical and visual phrase of your choice. We will provide all instruments for camps. We will evaluate you individually, and as a part of the group. Please wear the audition t-shirt for the Sunday afternoon performance.
TRAVEL PLANS
We provide ground transportation anytime to and from the Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) for Dubuque camps. We can also accommodate flights into
surrounding airports (Quad Cities, Madison, Rockford, or Cedar Rapids).
You MUST notify the office prior to booking a flight into anywhere other than Dubuque or Kansas City. MLI (Moline) and CID (Cedar Rapids)
are very close to Dubuque and reasonable in fare. ORD (O'Hare) travel MUST land prior to 3:30 pm. on Friday and depart no earlier than 7:30 pm on
Sunday. MDW (Midway) travel MUST land prior to 2:30 pm on Friday and depart no earlier than 8:30 pm on Sunday. If you plan on using either of
these airports, please let colts@colts.org know prior to booking flights.
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. All flight details should also be listed 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 or third 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.
PARENTS
An informational meeting for parents will be held Friday evening at 8:45 pm in a location to be announced at check in. Bring all of your
questions!
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the weekend. Parental support is what makes the Colts successful, and you are needed to give the kids the incredible Colts experience we are known for. Also, this is the best way for you to find out about our program, meet the 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 assist with some repair work. We always have things 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 call the hotel directly at (563)-690-2005 and 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 Colts Boosters! Plan on joining us Saturday morning, before or after breakfast (approximately 9 am), to divide for Saturday projects. If you arrive at a random time, the kitchen and check in tables are good places to start with questions about where you can help.
SOUVENIR SALES
Throughout the weekend, all items in the Colts Mall will be available for sale! Anyone is
able to purchase souvenirs - students, parents, friends, family, etc. The souvenir racks will be set up by the check-in table, and you can
purchase your items there. There will even be a few new items available for purchase!
REMAINING REHEARSALS
February 17-19, 2017 Brass Only, Five Flags Center, Dubuque, Iowa
March 17-19, 2017 Brass Only, Maquoketa High School, Maquoketa, Iowa
April 28-30, 2017 Full Corps, Hempstead High School, Dubuque, Iowa
May 21, 2017: Pre-season Move In for Guard and Percussion, Dubuque Armory
May 26, 2017: Move In For Summer, Roosevelt Middle School, Dubuque
May 29, 2017: Parade and Summer debut concert in Dubuque, Iowa
EMAIL AND WEBSITE
Please make sure you have received audition information in your area of interest! These materials are emailed to you after requesting information
for the current season. Join our Facebook groups for your area of interest! These pages will help you meet other members prior to auditions and
clarify questions you may have. We will also be distributing music through the Facebook pages.
General Interest Group
Brass Interest Group
Percussion Interest Group
Guard Interest Group
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, Van Drivers, and/or Those Who Sew email colts.cooks@comcast.net Other 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
Your time on tour with us!
8-12 Board room chairs
Medium weight plastic silverware
Gift certificates for fuel and office supply
An RV
Coffee - definitely caffeinated!
Paper towels
Fresh Fruits or Vegetables
Did we mention, a week on tour with us!
For a detailed list, CLICK HERE
Welcome! We would love to have you as part of the Red Team family!
COLTS OFFICE - We've Moved!
2300 Twin Valley Drive
Dubuque, IA 52003
phone 563-482-4872
fax 1-844-347-5323
Vicki MacFarlane, Director vicki@colts.org Cell 563-564-9016
Jason Schubert, Tour Director jason@colts.org Cell 630-666-7489
David Alford, Colt Cadets Director david@colts.org Cell 773-308-6710
Jeff MacFarlane, Executive Director jeff@colts.org Cell 563-599-8553
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