April Rehearsal Camp Details

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY AS DETAILS CHANGE FROM MONTH TO MONTH.

The Colts April camp rehearsal is scheduled for April 25-27 at Oskaloosa Senior High School in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The address is 1816 North 3rd Street, Oskaloosa, IA 52577. Click here for a Google map to the facility.

All 2025 Colts members are expected to attend. New guard students are welcome to participate and audition. Percussion students on recall should attend this event. Any new percussion students interested in membership should first submit a video audition for consideration. Enroll in the Red Zone to audition here.

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 Friday to register and unload equipment. Always check our website within a few hours of leaving for camp for any last-minute updates!

Auditions & Callbacks

There are still spots remaining in some sections of the drum corps — color guard, snare, tenor, and front ensemble — and auditions will be taking place in conjunction with our April rehearsal plans. Our staff will plan to assess any students individually who are here attending their first camp. 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 IN ORDER TO GET THE AUDITION MATERIALS FOR YOUR INSTRUMENT. You can pay the fees online for both the April camp and the Red Zone (if you have not already enrolled). These fees do not apply toward your summer tuition.

Camp Paperwork

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

Registration \ Please register in advance so we can prepare for your attendance. 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 (if you have not done so already). 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. No sunglasses or Snapchat filters, please.

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

Colts Medical History \ 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!

Travel Plans

Use the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) for April camp. The airport is approximately 75 minutes from the school. Please land by 5:00 PM or earlier on Friday; Depart at 4:00 PM or later on Sunday. If you need a ride from the airport, please indicate such when you submit your registration.

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. 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 And School Entrance

Parking will be available at the school. See map for reference. Drop off personal items and enter at the red triangle on the map. Park on the north side of the school.

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, music stand, binder for music, and gloves. Instruments will be provided. 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.

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

HINTS FOR APRIL REHEARSAL

• If this is your second or more camp, do not forget to bring your audition t-shirt! Replacement t-shirts can be purchased at check-in for $10.00. If this is your first camp, you will receive an audition t-shirt at check in to write your name on that you will wear for all rehearsal segments of the weekend.
• Bring clothes for any weather (snow, rain or heat wave). You may be outside for much of the weekend, working on drill and music. Don’t forget cold weather gear. You just never know. Iowa weather can change at the last minute.
• Two pairs of comfortable tennis shoes (no high tops). One pair is for wet and mud that will be taken off before entering the school if it rains or is wet outdoors.
• Athletic braces for any previous injuries or weaknesses. You will be on your feet a lot this weekend, so protect yourself against injury.
• Other helpful items: extra socks, sunscreen, lip protection (DCT) with sunscreen, hat or bandanna, sunglasses, a smile, backpack (field bag) and water bottle or jug.

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 recommendation to consider Colt Cadets to gain a year of drum corps experience, or 3) a suggestion to come back again next year. 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 would like to remain in consideration for membership, 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. 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 trailer or registration table are great places to start with questions 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 potential construction projects. 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. If parents are interested in hotel accommodations, there are a number of options only a few minutes away from the school. 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 if you intend to volunteer over the weekend.

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

Souvenirs

Throughout the weekend, items from the Colts Mall (unless out of stock) will be available for sale! Anyone is able to purchase souvenirs — students, parents, friends, family and alumni. The souvenir racks will be set up near the check in area, and you can purchase your items there.

Sunday Afternoon Performance

A performance including all participants from throughout the weekend will be held Sunday afternoon in the Main Gym 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 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 2025 season will bring!