Attend A Colt Cadets Open House Or Weekend Camp

Colt Cadets are set to kick off their 2025 season! The DCI Open Class corps will get the season underway with a series of Open House rehearsals on Sunday afternoons beginning February 2, 2025. We will also host three-day weekend camps in February, March, and May. You can find a complete listing of Colt Cadets preseason rehearsals here.

For those within a few hours’ drive of Dubuque, WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND OUR OPEN HOUSE REHEARSALS to learn about what we do. There is no cost to attend and no obligation to join. We plan to gather at the Iowa National Guard Armory at noon to begin unloading equipment. We’ll get our meeting started at 12:30 PM followed by rehearsal in brass, percussion and color guard sections. No experience is necessary. All you need is a desire to learn!

If you are coming from a greater distance, we have three weekend rehearsal camps scheduled for February 28 - March 2, March 28-30, and May 2-4. There is a small fee to attend weekend camps. If you know you are planning to attend, you can register now for a three-day camp.

There is no audition to be in Colt Cadets but WE CANNOT ALWAYS GUARANTEE YOUR FIRST CHOICE OF INSTRUMENT — especially in the battery percussion section because we have a limited number of snare, tenor and bass instruments available. We will work with you to make sure your membership experience is successful and enjoyable. We value your participation in Colt Cadets and pledge to provide a tremendous learning and performance opportunity for you.

PARENTS, Colt Cadets are a fun, family experience and we encourage you to get involved. Traveling with the corps, helping prepare meals, uniform fitting and sewing, driving, helping at our drum corps shows, and our Annual Car Wash are all rewarding ways to help the program succeed and share time with your kids.

Prospective members are not expected to have prior musical, dance, or performance training. Yet students with experience will be provided with new challenges. We will get to know your child and make sure they are in an environment where they can grow and be successful.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT TO JOIN COLT CADETS?

Becoming a member is easy! But there is no obligation to join by attending a rehearsal.

• Attend two rehearsals to see if this experience is for you.
• After a couple rehearsals (or one weekend camp), we will discuss membership possibilities.

If you become a member and cannot make a rehearsal or performance, let us know as far in advance as possible. We do understand you may have other commitments, and we are able to work with you regarding summer schedule conflicts. We do ask that the summer, especially performances, is a priority. The entire group counts on every individual, because here every member is on the starting team!

Welcome to the Colt Cadets!