November Rehearsal Camp Details

The first callback and rehearsal weekend for the 2022 Colts will be held November 26–28, at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa. The address is: 405 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 52001. THE NOVEMBER REHEARSAL WEEKEND IS FOR BRASS AND COLOR GUARD STUDENTS. Percussion are expected to attend in December. Click here for a Google map to the facility.

Always check our website within a few hours of leaving for Dubuque for any last-minute updates! Registration and unloading will begin at 6:00 PM on Friday. Rehearsal begins at 8:00 PM, and will conclude at 3:00 PM on Sunday. Plan on arriving at 6:00 PM to register and unload equipment.

Auditions & Callbacks

Auditions have already begun with students submitting an audition video in advance. In fact, some membership contracts have already been determined. IF YOU DID NOT SUBMIT AN AUDITION VIDEO, YOU CAN — AND SHOULD — STILL ATTEND THE REHEARSAL WEEKEND. Our staff will plan to see you individually to assess your skills. All students will be evaluated within their section throughout the weekend.

The cost for the Colts rehearsal weekend is $75 which helps cover the cost of instruction, facilities, and food. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET JOINED THE RED ZONE, YOU WILL NEED TO PAY $125 TO GET YOUR AUDITION MATERIALS IN ADDITION TO THE $75 REHEARSAL FEE ($200 TOTAL). You can pay the fees online for both the November camp and the Red Zone (if you have not already enrolled). This fee covers the cost of your audition and the event and does not apply toward your summer tuition.

Camp Paperwork

Prior to camp, you will be expected to turn in:

RSVP \ Even if you are not planning to attend, please submit an RSVP so we can keep you up-to-date for future events and so our staff knows you are still “in play” to earn a position. If attending, be sure to include all necessary flight and travel information in the RSVP. If you need a ride from the airport, you will be notified by the Thursday immediately before the camp who will be picking you up. An RSVP should be submitted each month by all students who plan to march in 2022.

Member Application \ Submit your application in advance to save time at check in. All auditioning students must submit a member application. The application only needs to be submitted once per year, unless your information changes. Email a headshot of yourself to colts@colts.org. Include your name (first and last), section, and which audition camp you are attending. This picture is added to your audition file so our instructional team can quickly learn your name and face. This picture should be submitted before the camp starts and is required of all attending. Make sure the image is clear, well lit, and contains your whole face. And as awesome as your sunglasses or Snapchat filters may look, they should not be included in your headshot.

When you arrive to check in on Friday, bring with you:

Colts Medical History & COVID Release Form \ This form is required in order to audition. 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 must have a parent or guardian signature to participate. Medical forms only need to be submitted once per year, unless your information changes. Be sure to complete both sides!

ALL PARTICIPANTS (STUDENTS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS) ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE HAD THE COVID-19 VACCINE. We encourage all attending to take a COVID test within 72 hours prior to arrival.

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, Cedar Rapids, Madison, or Rockford) but you MUST notify us prior to booking. MLI (Moline) and CID (Cedar Rapids) are very close to Dubuque and reasonable in fare. Please note that the Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and Moline airports close overnight. Do not plan on spending the night before or after camp at these airports.

Chicago Shuttle \ We will run one shuttle on Friday and Sunday to Chicago’s two major airports. The shuttle (bus or van depending on the number traveling) will depart Midway at 2:30 PM and O’Hare at 3:30 PM on Friday. The shuttle will be scheduled to arrive at O’Hare on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM and Midway at 7:00 PM. ORD (Chicago O'Hare) travel MUST land prior to 3:00 PM on Friday and depart no earlier than 7:30 PM on Sunday. MDW (Chicago Midway) travel MUST land prior to 2:00 PM on Friday and depart no earlier than 8:30 PM on Sunday. If you plan on using either of these airports, please let Vicki (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. You can also help fellow members by offering a ride in your vehicle. On your RSVP, please let us know if you have extra room or if you cannot find a ride. All flight details should also be listed on your RSVP.

Parking

Parking is available after 6:00 PM on Friday in the city lot next to (north of) the Five Flags Center at the corner of 5th and Main Streets. Parking is also available behind the Holiday Inn (for guests only), as well as in the Five Flags Center Ramp on the corner of 4th and Iowa Streets. As most of the downtown parking is metered on Saturday, all should be sensitive and aware of where you park to avoid getting ticketed.

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), and tennis shoes (no high tops). Many students will bring an inflatable mattress with a battery-powered air pump. Bring a binder with plastic sleeves for your music and any handouts. You will receive an audition t-shirt at check in to write your name on that you will wear for all rehearsal segments throughout the weekend. Don't forget to bring a water bottle!

Brass: Bring your own mouthpiece, marching instrument, music stand, binder for music, and gloves. If you have absolutely no access to an instrument and need one provided, contact colts@colts.org. Be prepared to play the exercises and excerpts provided in the brass packet that best fits your area of interest. We will evaluate you individually, and as a part of the ensemble.

Color Guard: Bring black 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 would like), and knee pads (recommended). There is no need to purchase any special equipment for rehearsals. You will wear your audition t-shirt for most rehearsal segments throughout the weekend.

Membership Contracts

All positions in the corps were open to begin the audition season. As mentioned previously, a small number of contracts have already been determined based on audition videos. Following the weekend, you will receive 1) an offer of membership, 2) a callback for a second event, 3) a recommendation to consider Colt Cadets to gain a year of drum corps experience, or 4) a suggestion to come back again next year. Most will receive a callback to a second rehearsal, so please plan accordingly. Attend early and attend often for your best chance at a position in the 2022 Colts.

Schedule Conflicts

Camp attendance is critical to our mutual success. If you cannot attend this rehearsal but are planning to attend an upcoming audition, you must communicate in advance through the RSVP. It is important to communicate with your caption head as well. Too much communication is ALWAYS better than not enough. If you have schedule conflicts with our preseason rehearsals, talk with us. Attending part of the weekend is better than not attending at all. Do not lose your opportunity to earn a position with the Colts over a lack of communication.

COVID-19 Protocols

The Colts expect all who participate in our in-person events (camp and summer tour) to have been vaccinated for COVID-19. Anyone with special circumstances should reach out to Vicki (colts@colts.org) in advance. While the Dubuque County Health Department does not currently require masking, their policy states, "Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated.” The Colts will not require masking while indoors at the Five Flags Center. However, we support anyone’s preference to wear a mask. We also have masks, bell covers, and rapid antigen tests available in the event they are needed at any point throughout the weekend. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own face covering with them. THIS GUIDANCE COULD CHANGE AT ANY POINT AND ATTENDEES SHOULD BE PREPARED TO FOLLOW UPDATED INFORMATION AS DIRECTED.

Parents

An informational meeting for parents will be held Friday evening at 8:45 PM. Bring all your questions you may have about auditions or summer tour! Schedules will be available at the check in table with locations for everything going on throughout the weekend. If you arrive at a random time throughout the weekend, the kitchen or registration table are great places to start with questions anytime you visit or to find out where you can help.

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 other parents, and get comfortable with what drum corps 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 or construction projects at the corps warehouse. We always have things to do for anyone willing to lend a hand!

Parents are welcome to stay overnight in designated rooms at the Five Flags Center with sleeping bags and air mattresses. If parents are interested in hotel accommodations, we recommend the Holiday Inn for this rehearsal, as it is attached to the arena in which we are rehearsing. The rate is $95.00 per night. You can call 563.556.2000 and ask for the Colts Drum Corps rate. You can also book online if you prefer. We also suggest the Hampton Inn for your stay in Dubuque. Please call the hotel directly at 563.690.2005, select the front desk, and ask for the Colts Drum Corps rate. Auditioning students are expected to stay with the group overnight in the arena. As always, email or call us with any questions you may have.

Parents should fill out the Adult Medical Release Form prior to arrival. ALL PARTICIPANTS (STUDENTS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS) ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE HAD THE COVID-19 VACCINE. We encourage all attending to take a COVID test within 72 hours prior to arrival.

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

Souvenirs

Throughout the weekend, all items in the Colts Mall (unless out of stock) will be available for sale! The holidays are coming up soon, and the weekend will be a great time to purchase a present for your special someone! Anyone is able to purchase souvenirs — students, parents, friends, family and alumni. The souvenir racks will be set up by the check in table, and you can purchase your items there.

Sunday Afternoon Performance

A performance including all participants of the weekend is held Sunday afternoon at the Five Flags Center at 1:00 PM. You will be amazed at the progress we make in just one short weekend. Specific time and details about Sunday's performance will be posted prior to camp and will be available on the schedules at the registration table.

Email And Facebook

All students will need to enroll in the Red Zone to receive audition information in their area of interest! These materials are emailed to you after enrolling online. 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.

General Interest Group

Colts Cooks, Parents & Volunteers (for parents)

Make sure you have signed onto the email distribution list with your current email address, and check your email frequently! Parents are also encouraged to sign up for the membership email list.

Welcome! We are excited to have you as a part of the Colts family!