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 Get a head start on 2008! If you’re not sure you’re ready, or you’re not sure you should spend the money to travel to an audition camp, submit a Pre-Audition Video. Once you submit your video, our caption heads will review it and give you extensive feedback on your abilities, what you need to work on, and an honest assessment of where you would stand if you audition. The fee is $25, and you will get this back as a credit toward your camp fee if you decide to attend. Select your section and follow the instructions below for submitting your Pre-Audition Video.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT A PRE-AUDITION VIDEO TO ATTEND ONE OF THE COLTS AUDITION CAMPS. Preference for membership WILL NOT be given to those who have submitted a Pre-Audition Video. Videos are meant to give you an initial evaluation of your skills and to give you feedback on what skills you need to work on prior to attending an audition camp. Members from outside the United States could possibly receive a Colts contract based on a video evaluation. Students within the U.S. should plan to attend the December and/or January camp(s).
BRASS
PRE-AUDITION VIDEO INFORMATION
Brass performers should demonstrate the following skills and techniques on their Pre-Audition Video:
 1. Perform Bouree by J.S. Bach on the instrument of your choice. The music for this piece can be found on the Brass Audition Exercises page on the Colts website. You may play this piece on the wind instrument of your choice, even if it is not one of the instruments you will play in the corps.
2. Play examples of Clark studies, scales and arpeggios.
3. Play thirty seconds to two minutes of a solo/etude that shows your best abilities.
4. Using your current marching band or previous drum corps technique, demonstrate the following marching skills: Forward marching (16+ steps, full body in view) in playing position, backward marching (16+ steps, full body in view) in carriage position, an eight-count slide (both directions) in playing position, and full body poses standing at attention (both front and side views). For your reference, the 2007 Colts Visual Book is available on the Colts website. You may demonstrate these marching skills using the same instrument you used to play the audition exercises above, even if it is not one of the instruments you will play in the corps.
PERCUSSION
PRE-AUDITION VIDEO INFORMATION
Battery (snare, tenors, bass and cymbals) members should demonstrate the following skills and techniques on their Pre-Audition Video:
1. Perform three (3) of the 2008 Battery Audition Exercises of your choice utilizing your current marching band or previous drum corps technique. Play the exercises beginning with both right and left hands, and at various dynamic levels. Cymbal players should review the Cymbal Line Audition Packet.
 2. Play thirty seconds to two minutes of a solo or exercise that demonstrates your best abilities.
3. Using your current marching band or previous drum corps technique, demonstrate the following marching skills: Forward marching (16+ steps, full body in view), backward marching (16+ steps, full body in view), an eight-count slide (both directions) using “crab” step as described on page 34 of the 2007 Colts Visual Book, and full body poses standing at attention (both front and side views). Battery members DO NOT need to demonstrate these marching techniques while wearing equipment.
Front ensemble (marimba, vibraphone and xylophone) members should demonstrate the following skills and techniques on their Pre-Audition Video:
1. Perform three (3) of the 2008 Front Ensemble Audition Exercises of your choice. Demonstrate various dynamic levels in playing the exercises. Utilize four mallets if you are able to do so.
2. Play thirty seconds to two minutes of a solo that demonstrates your best abilities.
GUARD
PRE-AUDITION VIDEO INFORMATION
Everyone must do DANCE and FLAG. Weapon is optional. Perform all skills to music, if available.
DANCE
1. Demonstrate three (3) floor exercises. At least one of the exercises should be a “moving across the floor” type exercise. Exercises should include elements such as plies, sashays, tendus, battaments, degages, jetes, etc. Anything you do at your current color guard is acceptable. If you need a reference point, or call them by a different name, refer to American Ballet Theatre's Online Dictionary for help.
2. Perform a short dance of about 32-48 counts. This can be from a previously performed show.
EQUIPMENT
Flag (required); Rifle and/or Saber are optional. Each piece of equipment is a separate section with separate demonstrations.
1. Demonstrate two (2) basics exercises of your choice. Any one that you do at your current color guard is acceptable or a combination of several. Try and perform these to music. (For Weapon, one exercise must include BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT HAND SPINS.)
2. Demonstrate two (2) different tosses, THREE (3) TIMES EACH. For Flag, one must include at least one (1) vertical toss (peggy toss, pull toss, etc.) For Weapon, demonstrate three (3) reps of triples, quads, fives and sixes. If you are unable to do some of these, only show us those that you can.
3. Perform a short 32-48 count phrase. This can be from a previously performed show.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR SUBMITTING YOUR PRE-AUDITION VIDEO
1. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS for the section of the Colts you are interested in auditioning for. Make a video demonstrating the skills and techniques requested for that particular section.
2. UPLOAD YOUR VIDEO on YouTube. If you do not have a YouTube account, you can create one free of charge by clicking the following link: www.youtube.com/signup. For more information on creating an account or uploading your video, click on the YouTube logo to go directly to their Help page.
3. SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO LINK to the Colts. Simply go to the YouTube web page that shows your video, COPY the complete web page address as it appears in the browser Address Bar, and PASTE the link into an e-mail addressed to: colts@colts.org (Type “COLTS PRE-AUDITION VIDEO” in the Subject line.)
DO NOT ATTACH THE ACTUAL VIDEO FILE TO YOUR E-MAIL. Video file sizes will be too large to be sent via e-mail.
Videos may also be sent via the U.S. Postal Service.You can also mail a DVD or videotape cassette (8mm or VHS format) directly to the Colts office. Video materials, along with $25 payment, should be mailed to:
Pre-Audition Video
Colts Drum & Bugle Corps
1101 Central Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Colts do not accept responsibility for videos that are lost in transit. Payments will only be processed for videos that are received.
4. SUBMIT PAYMENT at the Colts Store. For proper reference, paste your YouTube web page address (URL) into the Comments box when checking out at the Colts Store. [Membership preference will not be given to those who purchase a few souvenirs at the Colts Store but, hey, you’ll sure look good at camp!] Or you can send a check for $25 directly to the Colts office at the address above.
Videos and/or website links will not be submitted to Colts caption heads for their review until the $25 payment is received.
If you decide to attend the December or January audition camp, you will receive a $25 credit toward your camp fee. Click here to RSVP for the December audition camp. For additional information on becoming a member of the 2008 Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, click here.
Questions regarding the Pre-Audition Video process should be e-mailed to: mike@colts.org
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