Colts January Camp In Indianapolis

Our next audition and rehearsal weekend for the 2025 Colts will be held January 24-26, 2025, at Taylor High School in Kokomo, Indiana (approx. 50 miles north of Indianapolis). The address is: 3794 E 300 S, Kokomo, IN 46902. THE JANUARY REHEARSAL WEEKEND IS FOR BRASS, PERCUSSION AND CONDUCTORS. NEW STUDENTS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. 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 6:30 PM on Friday. Rehearsal begins at 8:00 PM, and will conclude by 3:00 PM on Sunday. Plan on arriving at 6:30 PM to register and unload equipment. THERE ARE OPENINGS IN EVERY SECTION OF THE DRUM CORPS. IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GET STARTED TO EARN YOUR SPOT IN THE 2025 COLTS. Enroll in the Red Zone today!

Auditions & Callbacks

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SEND AN AUDITION VIDEO PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE CAMP WEEKEND. Videos provide an opportunity to get feedback from our staff prior to attending but they are not required. All students will be evaluated within their section throughout the weekend.

The cost for the Colts rehearsal weekend is $100 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 THE AUDITION MATERIALS SPECIFIC TO YOUR INSTRUMENT. You can pay the fees online for both the January camp and the Red Zone (if you have not already enrolled). These fees cover the cost of your audition and the event but do not apply toward your summer tuition.

Camp Paperwork

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

Registration \ Please register. Be sure to include all applicable flight and travel information in the RSVP. If you need a ride from the airport, you will be notified by the Wednesday immediately before the camp with shuttle information.

Member Application \ All auditioning students must submit a 2025 member application. Email a headshot of yourself to camp@colts.org. Include your name (first and last), section, and which audition camp you are attending. Make sure the image is clear, well lit, and contains your whole face. No sunglasses or Snapchat filters, please.

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

Colts Medical History 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.

Travel Plans

We provide ground transportation for flights into the Indianapolis airport (IND) but you MUST notify us (email kathleen@colts.org) prior to booking. Please land by 5:30 PM or earlier on Friday; and depart at 3:30 PM or later on Sunday.

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 kathleen@colts.org. You can also help fellow members by offering a ride in your vehicle. All flight details should also be listed on your RSVP.

Parking

Parking will be available at the school. More information will be sent via email to registered students the week of the event.

What To Bring

Students stay overnight on the gym floor, as you will all summer. Bring changes of clothes, shower supplies, towel, sleeping bag and pillow, comfortable clothes for rehearsal (no jeans), tennis shoes (no high tops), and a water bottle. Many students will bring an inflatable mattress with a battery-powered air pump. COTS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT CAMP OR ON TOUR DURING THE SUMMER. Bring a binder for your music and any handouts. If this is your first camp, you will receive an audition t-shirt at check in that you will wear for all rehearsal segments throughout the weekend. If you already have an audition shirt, bring it with you. Additional shirts may be purchased for $10.

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.

Percussion: Bring your own sticks and/or mallets and a practice pad. A stand for your pad is beneficial if you have one available. We will provide all other instruments for camps. Prospective members should be familiar with the exercise packet that best fits your area of interest. Front ensemble students are expected to perform a short segment of a personal selection for the individual audition. We will evaluate all percussion students individually, and as a part of the group. 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, some contracts have already been determined based on audition videos and November/December camp attendance. 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 2025 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, please communicate in advance by emailing colts@colts.org. 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.

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 area 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, or assist with occasional repair work or construction projects. We always have things to do for anyone willing to lend a hand!

Parents are welcome to stay overnight at the school in a designated classroom with sleeping bags and air mattresses. 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. Parents are encouraged to sign onto the email distribution list to receive Colts information via email.

Souvenirs

Throughout the weekend, most items in the Colts Mall will be available for sale! 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 from throughout the weekend will be held Sunday afternoon at 12:00 PM. You will be amazed at the progress we make in just one short weekend.

Email And Facebook

All students will need to enroll in the Red Zone to receive audition information and exercises. 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

Discord Channel

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 continue our preparations for the 2025 season!