Recently got contracted to the Santa Clara Vanguard and frankly I've been terrified the past week lol. This is gonna be my first season and I can't tell you how much your videos have helped me calm down. So thanks!
This one is more specifically for guys and girls on the Contra line, but forego the performance gloves for rehearsal. Contras are heavy and they tear up your gloves. Get a pair or two of Mechanix gloves. They're heavy duty, save your hands and will help. Obviously check with your caption head/section leader to see if that's okay but most Contra lines use Mechanix gloves.
I was watching this at Christmas because I have been dreaming of marching DCI but I got a call back and I have auditions this weekend so it might actually happen.
Almost! I was the last quad player cut from watchmen. They said I am the back up though so if someone gets hurt I will replace them. Also the director from impulse wanted me to go audition but I can't afford it. There is always next year.
Not hoping someone gets injured but I hope you get to march haha. I guarantee you get a contract next year though. I'm only on this video because Legends move-ins are tomorrow and I'm finishing packing totally last minute 😓
Mello! And yeah I feel ya. One of the other current mellophones was actually an alternate up until a couple camps ago when someone stepped down. I'm really glad he gets to march (he's my seat partner actually) but at the same time it sucks that it had to be in place of another wonderful person. At least no one got hurt though. So yeah, anything could happen!
Bandana's especially for the guard, the bill on caps and visors can often get in the way, and you'll want to definitely want to protect your scalp a sunburn there is no fun at all. Sunglasses to protect your eyes, a third pair of nasty but still somewhat good sneakers that you won't mind throwing away, these you wear in like Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, etc when your practice field is mud 2ins deep, and as you leave the field you dump them in the first garbage can you see.. Small can of bug spray, hair spray, literally hundreds of bobby pins, aloe vera in case you do burn, regular lotion for after shower or on the bus to re-hydrate your skin. For packing i pack things in sets for each day, underclothes, tank, shorts, socks all rolled up as one, do this also for after show and free day clothes, this way you can just grab a bundle and all you need is there afterwards it goes in the sealed laundry bag. And ladies if you're on the pill for whatever reason, I had bad acne, talk to your doctor about putting you on the 3month plan, this way that time won't come while on tour :) Good Luck to everyone marching this season, it's my 9th and final season I reached that hated age 21 :P
I was able to pack 14 sets of clothes, a set of free-day clothes, an extra pair of sneakers, a dirty laundry bag, and my air mattress all in my suitcase, which is about the size of his suitcase there. =D What I did, is I used a space bag for my dirty laundry, and just used my air mattress pump to take all of the air out of it, or I rolled the air out. I also rolled a pair of shorts inside my tank tops and tied it together with my sports bra as small as I could and was able to put two outfits into one Gallon-sized Ziploc bag where I could squeeze the air out and set the small roll aside in my suitcase. So no carrying dirty laundry around, or your sleeping stuff- cause if you squeeze all of the air out of it, there's less air you're packing, thus more space to pack.
I recently finished my rookie season with Atlanta CV, I've been watching your videos for a long time and they really helped me in preparing. Especially the video about hitting your wall. I wanted to thank you for all of your videos.
Good luck, man. If you've never marched corps before, don't be afraid to try for DCI Open or DCA if there's one close. It's tough to make top 12 without any previous corps experience.
That's when I age out. Right now I'm marching with an open class corps but we work as hard as any other top 12 world class corps. Don't be afraid to audition for one. And I might try out for Crown next year too 🙂
Like your video's! I'll probably try and find you during tour and say hi. I'm a 3rd year Mello player with the Madison Scouts. Good luck preparing for spring training!
Some pre 1972 Drum Corps. Music;Suggest Blue Rock,Blessed Sacraments Golden Knights,St. Rita's Brassmen,Des Plains Vanguard,Kilties,Mighty St. Joe's of Batavia,St Lucy's Cadets,27,and The Hubmen for starters,and a winning attitude,best to ya,good luck,Jay (former Brassmen 50+yr. fan).
Hey, you mentioned bringing DCT. I used that last summer but they recently added camphor to their formula making it actually harmful in the drum corps setting. I use Burt's Bees which is great and Coppertone chapstick for sun protection.
i got contracted into impulse dbc and somehting id absolutely recommend is pepper spray/gel in case you have to defend yourself and others (ask staff first)
Some corps do not use them because they are harder on the Instruments (especially with Jupiter = thinner lacquer) and do not mimic the feel of show gloves. You probably won't need that many, though. I'd say a pair every four to five days. But batting gloves or something similar are usually pretty much required if you're marching contra.
I have a idea for a video! How to make a Dot Book for Drum Corps. Most people know how to but some would like to know more like how to do it more quick in between rehearsals and stuff.
I talked about that with one of my music directors once ( he is a Bluecoat alumni) and he recommends DCT instead because chop saver is mostly marketing stuff. Hope this helps
I think Lysol is very important! The plain stuff is the best. It makes anything smell good and it kills bacteria. But DON'T get the scented kind or it makes things smell worse
Can you make a video about instruments like do we need to bring ours or not for practice during off season and any other time?? This will be appreciated!!
Truman Maffett You should try starting now man, i'm 15 too and I plan to tryout for the 2015 season. IMO it's better to start early, in the end you'll have more memories and a lot more experience.
Why is it a bad idea to bring a Laptop? I keep hearing that but I don't see why it's a bad idea if it's cheap and you take good care of it on the road.
Anybody have any tips for Drum Majors and what to pack? I haven't auditioned yet (Music City ftw) and I might not make it but still. I like to be prepared.
for drummers I would recommend hand moisturizer. your hands will get lots of blisters if you don't use it daily
As someone who wants to try out for snare this next season, this really helps and it's not something I would have ever thought of. Thanks bro.
Recently got contracted to the Santa Clara Vanguard and frankly I've been terrified the past week lol. This is gonna be my first season and I can't tell you how much your videos have helped me calm down. So thanks!
How'd it go?
This one is more specifically for guys and girls on the Contra line, but forego the performance gloves for rehearsal. Contras are heavy and they tear up your gloves. Get a pair or two of Mechanix gloves. They're heavy duty, save your hands and will help. Obviously check with your caption head/section leader to see if that's okay but most Contra lines use Mechanix gloves.
Wow...Things have really changed since my day in DCI!!!! Of course that was before u were born....man I feel old.
I was watching this at Christmas because I have been dreaming of marching DCI but I got a call back and I have auditions this weekend so it might actually happen.
Did you end up getting a spot? And where?
Almost! I was the last quad player cut from watchmen. They said I am the back up though so if someone gets hurt I will replace them. Also the director from impulse wanted me to go audition but I can't afford it. There is always next year.
Not hoping someone gets injured but I hope you get to march haha. I guarantee you get a contract next year though.
I'm only on this video because Legends move-ins are tomorrow and I'm finishing packing totally last minute 😓
BlooHornet Yeah. I want to march but at the same time I don't want anyone to get hurt. Hey congrats on making legends though. What do you play?
Mello! And yeah I feel ya. One of the other current mellophones was actually an alternate up until a couple camps ago when someone stepped down. I'm really glad he gets to march (he's my seat partner actually) but at the same time it sucks that it had to be in place of another wonderful person. At least no one got hurt though. So yeah, anything could happen!
Bandana's especially for the guard, the bill on caps and visors can often get in the way, and you'll want to definitely want to protect your scalp a sunburn there is no fun at all. Sunglasses to protect your eyes, a third pair of nasty but still somewhat good sneakers that you won't mind throwing away, these you wear in like Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, etc when your practice field is mud 2ins deep, and as you leave the field you dump them in the first garbage can you see.. Small can of bug spray, hair spray, literally hundreds of bobby pins, aloe vera in case you do burn, regular lotion for after shower or on the bus to re-hydrate your skin.
For packing i pack things in sets for each day, underclothes, tank, shorts, socks all rolled up as one, do this also for after show and free day clothes, this way you can just grab a bundle and all you need is there afterwards it goes in the sealed laundry bag.
And ladies if you're on the pill for whatever reason, I had bad acne, talk to your doctor about putting you on the 3month plan, this way that time won't come while on tour :)
Good Luck to everyone marching this season, it's my 9th and final season I reached that hated age 21 :P
I got contracted to Guardians recently, info like this is surprisingly hard to find. Thanks, your videos help a rookie like me a lot.
Ryan Sorge heyyyy guardians
Waddup
heeeeeyyyyy Guardians!
Grayson Lane Waddup again
Definitely a big help since I'll be marching my rookie season with Music City this year!
Ian Fullen are you marching 2018?
I was able to pack 14 sets of clothes, a set of free-day clothes, an extra pair of sneakers, a dirty laundry bag, and my air mattress all in my suitcase, which is about the size of his suitcase there. =D What I did, is I used a space bag for my dirty laundry, and just used my air mattress pump to take all of the air out of it, or I rolled the air out. I also rolled a pair of shorts inside my tank tops and tied it together with my sports bra as small as I could and was able to put two outfits into one Gallon-sized Ziploc bag where I could squeeze the air out and set the small roll aside in my suitcase. So no carrying dirty laundry around, or your sleeping stuff- cause if you squeeze all of the air out of it, there's less air you're packing, thus more space to pack.
GOLDBOND IS THE GREATEST THING TO HAPPEN TO CORPS SINCE HORNS THEMSELVES
my band dosent allow blankets because seniors "get frisky" under it
that sucks
What corp?
it says seniors..so this tells me it's highs chool
My high school director said it like "one to a blanket and that counts for boys too!"
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Yo my band says no blankets either
Hey can your next video be about tour relationships, like one at home and one in dci
I recently finished my rookie season with Atlanta CV, I've been watching your videos for a long time and they really helped me in preparing. Especially the video about hitting your wall. I wanted to thank you for all of your videos.
I'm auditioning for Crown 2017, and this will help a lot, considering I will age out on DCI's 50th anniversary.
How old are you?
I will be 15 when I audition. I have a birthday before June, so I'll be 16 during tour.
Good luck, man. If you've never marched corps before, don't be afraid to try for DCI Open or DCA if there's one close. It's tough to make top 12 without any previous corps experience.
That's when I age out. Right now I'm marching with an open class corps but we work as hard as any other top 12 world class corps. Don't be afraid to audition for one. And I might try out for Crown next year too 🙂
I watch all of your videos at the start of every marching season. But I’m only in a high school drumline
Shower baskets! The one's with the suction cups that you stick in your shower are SWEET for holding things on your bus window!
Like your video's! I'll probably try and find you during tour and say hi. I'm a 3rd year Mello player with the Madison Scouts. Good luck preparing for spring training!
those rags that you put water on and they become cold it's a fabulous idea and when you're in practice you want to cool down
Tiger Balm ! Life Saver for Back, Quads, and Shoulders !
This is going to be my 4th Summer marching but I always come back to this video to make sure I’m not forgetting anything.
Year three of going on tour and I still always watch this video for help
I brought a small portable mirror with me on tour. It was convenient for doing makeup/hair on the bus or in the gym if the bathrooms were taken.
2 pairs sunglasses, zip ties are great emergency fixits when duct tape won't do it, the AXE hair cream with SPF if you have a buzz cut.
Some pre 1972 Drum Corps. Music;Suggest Blue Rock,Blessed Sacraments Golden Knights,St. Rita's Brassmen,Des Plains Vanguard,Kilties,Mighty St. Joe's of Batavia,St Lucy's Cadets,27,and The Hubmen for starters,and a winning attitude,best to ya,good luck,Jay (former Brassmen 50+yr. fan).
Thanks for being considerate of the ladies!
For guard: A tennis ball to roll out sore arches
thats not just for guard thats everyone
I've heard lacrosse balls work a lot better
You forgot anxiety and depression
This is a great list. I personally can get by on alot less, but you never know when you'll lose something
I would not mind the first few bars of the Rite of Spring... but maybe not the middle "pagan dance" protion
I love all your comments. my son is with the blue devils. keep up the good work.
Command strip hooks are good for hanging stuff on the bus as well!
Hey, you mentioned bringing DCT. I used that last summer but they recently added camphor to their formula making it actually harmful in the drum corps setting. I use Burt's Bees which is great and Coppertone chapstick for sun protection.
i got contracted into impulse dbc and somehting id absolutely recommend is pepper spray/gel in case you have to defend yourself and others (ask staff first)
Some corps do not use them because they are harder on the Instruments (especially with Jupiter = thinner lacquer) and do not mimic the feel of show gloves. You probably won't need that many, though. I'd say a pair every four to five days. But batting gloves or something similar are usually pretty much required if you're marching contra.
Window suction mirror!!! Saved my life for doing show hair. :)
I have a idea for a video! How to make a Dot Book for Drum Corps. Most people know how to but some would like to know more like how to do it more quick in between rehearsals and stuff.
I appreciate you didn’t just cover your instrument! Thanks a lot:)
I talked about that with one of my music directors once ( he is a Bluecoat alumni) and he recommends DCT instead because chop saver is mostly marketing stuff. Hope this helps
If anything comes in a box, put it in a bag. Saves so much space!
For horn players, vasoline is great!
Aaaagh, the 2013 music is bringing me baack!
I think you may have forgotten a large, insulated water container. I'm watching these drum corp advice videos just for fun, but, yeah. :D
Baby wipes are good for the bus for after shows. :p
I think Lysol is very important! The plain stuff is the best. It makes anything smell good and it kills bacteria. But DON'T get the scented kind or it makes things smell worse
I'll join you! But a half-step higher!
Can you make a video about instruments like do we need to bring ours or not for practice during off season and any other time?? This will be appreciated!!
Just about all corps will let contracted members check out instruments to practice on during the camp season.
ok thanks because im a 15 year old im thinking of trying out for a corp when I'm done with high school
Truman Maffett You should try starting now man, i'm 15 too and I plan to tryout for the 2015 season. IMO it's better to start early, in the end you'll have more memories and a lot more experience.
***** Yes! Start now! I'm 15 and just got contracted into the Pacific Crest front ensemble! Work reaaally hard and you'll go places!
That Michigan hat makes me sad 😔
I use chop saver, it works really good 👌👌
litewinds2 DCT works way better than chop saver in my opinion
Love your vids dude! Thanks
how many cans of sunscreen and gold bond should i pack at first
i heard rolling a drum stick on shin splints makes them feel better
hey are you gonna do a recap of 2013 wgi shows?
The "teehee" at 2:55 hahaha
dang this video is old but it helps a lot!! i think you forgot water jugs :p
Are the 30-40 just for rehearsal? If so can you use batting gloves instead?
Are you positive no one wants to wake up to my bassoon concerto?
I'm packing for tour as I'm watching this lol
same
You should make a video about Rule #9
Are you marching spirit again this summer?
Why is it a bad idea to bring a Laptop?
I keep hearing that but I don't see why it's a bad idea if it's cheap and you take good care of it on the road.
What size water jug do you recommend?
fatmanvidz One gallon.
As big as you can
OMG I NEEEDED THIS!!!!
I always bought some tennis balls so that I could roll them on the bottoms of my feet.
If you could make a file or something of this list, I would love you...forever.
what are the jdfuncorps wristbands?
Anybody have any tips for Drum Majors and what to pack? I haven't auditioned yet (Music City ftw) and I might not make it but still. I like to be prepared.
When it's your rookie season and move ins are in 2 days
GO BLUE!
Would you recommend chop saver for lips?
Has anyone ever thought of using a Camelback for rehearsals and stuff during the season?
I've used one for rehearsals with my high school marching band but I'm gonna try it out if I get a contract with either Bloo or Cavaliers
What about a towel?!
Brass should use Bert's Bees it's the best
How long have you been on/in DCI?
I thought he said a fleshlight not flashlight
A show bag
I prefer ChopSaver since DCT has Camphor which dry out your lips...XD
What if your flying to the place?
SUNGLASSES!!!!!!
Can somebody let me know where to buy the rehearsal gloves online?
Stars Mello.
I can't afford a Smartphone, or I would.
I already have a laptop though.
what does one you dot books for?
I'm going to phantom guard auditions for the 2017 season. Would my 2 gauge ears affect my chances of getting contracted?
my teacher has gauges and he's in dci you will prob have to get clear ones
Look at Landon from the Bluecoats snare line, you're probably good
I would think a shitload of Purell..'
What do you play?
is it viable to share toothpaste/shampoo and other (acceptably) shareable items with a friend?
flighthawx Definitely! Just don't be a moocher ;)
If only Legends let me go shirtless 😭
I’m 14 soo $200-$300 it’s gonna be hard
DCT! or chap stick. Cameras!!!
What's a dot book? I'm trying out for crossmen this year .-.
It's a pack of binded index cards that you put your dots or your placement on the field incase you loose your dot sheet
+ToyStory2419 thank you!
baby wipes and a fanny pack
how do corps handle meals on tour?
+Sam Clark you'll be fed, but probably not on free days.
pajamas?
How old are you?
What about condoms jk not gonna bring those
Definitely bring those !!!
nice michigan hat nerd
why is gold bond such a necessity? (im a noob)
Injuries
+Johnny Brannon It absorbs moisture and prevents chafing, which can be an issue for many when you're sweating as much as you do in drum corps.
aka swamp ass
large wheeled duffle
back pack
bus box
binder
bunch of pencils
buttload of sunblock
bug spray
rain jacket
plastic trash bag
2 or 3 dot books
2 hats
gloves
hornline shit
diddle shit
2 pillow cases
pillow
sleeping pad/airmattress
snuggie
sleepmaskearplugs
laundry shit
20 dolla quarters
shoes
plain white ts
sports bras
sockkkks
section shorts
underwear
(roll thaty shit)
compression shit
underarmourrrrrrr
show socks
show gloves
FREEE DAYYYY clothes
slippers
tolittries
towels
deo
shower shoes
bond
if you are going to be in front ensemble, do u really need dot books
Yes. 100% necessary.
r u being sarcastic
Dude
Cavies 2014?
Why do we need gold bond?
Because chafing. EVERYONE needs gold bond.
It is for before or after a rehearsal. Gold bond helps with chaffing it reduces the moisture when you sweat. It's a really big necessity.
Who’s here from 2022?