February Brass Rehearsal Camp Details

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY AS DETAILS CHANGE FROM MONTH TO MONTH.

The Colts continue their auditions and rehearsal for the 2022 season on February 18-20, at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. The address for Liedman Hall (the parking and sleeping area) is: 422 N. 9th Street, Monmouth, IL. New students are welcome and encouraged to attend! THE FEBRUARY REHEARSAL WEEKEND IS FOR BRASS STUDENTS. Click here for a Google map to the facility.

Always check our website within a few hours of leaving for camp 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 2:00 PM on Sunday. Plan on arriving at 6:00 PM Friday to register and unload equipment.

COVID-19 Update: The Colts expect all who participate in our in-person events (camp and summer tour) to have been vaccinated for COVID-19. We strongly encourage everyone to get the booster as soon as you are able. Anyone with special circumstances should reach out to Vicki (colts@colts.org). All attending must take a COVID test within 72 hours of arrival. Due to college requirements, MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES INDOORS DURING THE FEBRUARY REHEARSAL WEEKEND. We believe we can demonstrate how to successfully host an in-person event during these times but we need 100% cooperation from everyone. Thank you in advance for your consideration and respect for those around you.

The Colts are excited to partner with Monmouth College for this event! All parking will be at Liedman Hall, with sleeping and eating in common areas of the residence hall. Rehearsals will be based out of Dahl Auditorium and the Fieldhouse in Huff Recreation Center.

Auditions & Callbacks

Auditions have already begun and positions are filling fast but there are still openings in all sections of the drum corps. If you are a contracted member, invite a friend who you think would love the drum corps experience offered at the Colts. 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 DO SO TO GET YOUR AUDITION MATERIALS IN ADDITION TO THE $75 REHEARSAL FEE. You can pay the fees online for both the February camp and the Red Zone. (The Red Zone fee is currently waived if you have not already enrolled). The camp 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. The medical form only needs 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. All attending must take a COVID test within 72 hours of arrival. If you are symptomatic, please stay home. You will not lose your place in the drum corps if you cannot attend because of illness.

Travel Plans

MLI (Moline) and ORD (Chicago) are convenient to this event and reasonable in fare. Please note that the Dubuque (DBQ), Cedar Rapids (CID), 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 O’Hare at 3:00 PM on Friday. The shuttle will be scheduled to arrive at O’Hare on Sunday evening at 5:00 PM. ORD (Chicago O'Hare) travel MUST land prior to 2:00 PM on Friday and depart no earlier than 6:30 PM on Sunday. MDW (Chicago Midway) travel MUST land prior to 2:00 PM on Friday and depart no earlier than 7:30 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 and all weekend in the Liebman Hall parking lot.

What To Bring

Students stay overnight in the residence hall commons areas 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. No cots, please, as they can scratch floor surfaces. Bring a binder with plastic sleeves for your music and any handouts. First-time attendees 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. If you already have an audition shirt, bring it with you or purchase an additional shirt after you check in. 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.

Membership Contracts

All positions in the corps were open to begin the audition season. A number of contracts have already been determined based on audition videos and previous camps. 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. We strongly encourage everyone to get the booster as soon as you are able. Anyone with special circumstances should reach out to Vicki (colts@colts.org). Due to college requirements, MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES INDOORS DURING THE FEBRUARY REHEARSAL WEEKEND. We believe we can demonstrate how to successfully host an in-person event during these times but we need 100% cooperation from everyone. Thank you in advance for your consideration and respect for those around you. 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

There is not a scheduled parent meeting at this camp, but Vicki MacFarlane, Colts Director, will be available to answer all questions throughout the weekend. 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, and coordinate sewing projects. (There will also be some construction projects based out of the corps warehouse in Dubuque, IA. Please email jeff@colts.org for details.). We always have things to do for anyone willing to lend a hand!

Parents are welcome to stay overnight in designated rooms at the school with sleeping bags and air mattresses. Those interested in hotel accommodations in Monmouth, IL might consider the city’s Super 8 or AmericInn. The corps does not have direct discounts with these hotels. Auditioning students are expected to stay with the group overnight at the school. 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. All attending must take a COVID test within 72 hours prior to arrival. Due to college requirements, MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES DURING THE FEBRUARY REHEARSAL WEEKEND. We believe we can demonstrate how to successfully host an in-person event during these times but we need 100% cooperation from everyone. Thank you in advance for your consideration and respect for those around you.

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

Sunday Afternoon Performance

We will have a brief musical recap of the weekend at Noon on Sunday in Dahl Auditorium. The rehearsal will conclude around 12:30 PM and students will be released once the facility has been cleaned (approx. 2:00 PM). Students with airport shuttles may be directed to depart at specific times.

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.

We are excited for what the 2022 season will bring!