Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts

Brief History
In 2001, The Academy Brass & Percussion Ensemble was formed to give some of Arizona's finest young musicians an introduction to the incredibly unique activity of drum and bugle corps.  Over the course of three summers, the young group of 52-60 performed for several local events and had taken the opportunity to perform in exhibition at its home show, the Southwest Corps Connection.  In 2004, the group added the final element of the color guard, was accepted as a DCI sanctioned unit, made the name change to The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and began competing for the first time.   In 2006, the corps had grown to 135 members and competed for the first time in Drum Corps International World Championships in Madison, Wisconsin where they earned the title of Division II World Champion.  2007 marked their first year competing in Division I, now called World Class, where they continue to compete today.  In 2009, The Academy was named the official drum and bugle corps of the City of Tempe.  The corps is well on its way to providing another amazing season to 150 young adults in 2013.

Membership
If you are a highly motivated individual, 21 or younger, who is interested in becoming a part of the drum and bugle corps activity, we invite you to audition for the The Academy's 2013 season. Membership acceptance is based on work ethic, character, ability level, and audition results.  While the average age of the membership is 18-21 years old, younger students have been accepted based on their exceptional performance quality and individual maturity.  We recommend anyone 15 years and older that is interested in some day participating in our corps, or the drum & bugle corps activity to attend the weekend clinic/audition camp.

We will be auditioning for performing positions including up to 80 brass, 32 color guard, and 35 percussion students.  Touring alternate members in the color guard and brass section will also be accepted.  There will be 1-2 openings for the Drum Major position in 2013 as well.

In addition to the 150+ members and alternates, The Academy will be accepting brass members to train with corps throughout the winter and spring who are not necessarily able or interested in engaging in the rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule during the summer.  These brass trainees selected will be able to rehearse and perform as a full corps participant throughout the pre-season until the all-day rehearsals begin in June.  The trainee membership cost is around $400, which includes admittance to all of the training camps.  It is a great option for those interested in marching with the corps in the future. In addition to improving performance skills, participants will become more familiar with of The Academy staff and their methods.  Those interested in this opportunity should register and attend the audition camp to get more information and begin their experience with the corps.

The Academy may be selecting a group of individuals to participate in a series of Trainee Drumline Masterclasses as well.  Those participants will be offered a series of masterclasses held in tandem with the monthly camp experiences in Arizona.  More information will be made available at the auditions in December.

Open House & Audition Camp
The 2013 season begins with an informational Open House on Sunday, December 1 at 10:00 am at the Desert Vista High School Auditorium (Ahwatukee/Phoenix) - Map.  The Open House is an opportunity for prospective members and parents to learn about the plans for the 2013 season, meet a few of the staff, and get a better understanding of the expectations of membership for the corps.

The Audition camp is held on the following weekend scheduled for December 7-9, 2012.  This audition weekend will be held at a school facility in the greater Phoenix area. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend the audition camp. The format of this move-in experience is intended to educate and inform all attendees while providing an opportunity for the staff to evaluate those who are vying for a position in the 2013 corps.  Students who are not necessarily able to perform with the corps in 2013, but are hoping to join sometime in the future are STRONGLY encouraged to attend this audition camp.  Understanding the physical requirements, technique programs, and work ethic required is the best way to ensure future acceptance into the corps.  The more exposure the staff has to the performers, the better the chances are to gaining a future member spot.  The cost for the Audition camp is approximately $100, which includes the cost for housing, food, audition shirt, and materials for the weekend ($25 discount if paid by November 30).

Audition Camp  (All sections)
December 7-9, 2012
Location TBD
Registration/move-in begins at 5:30pm, Orientation/Auditions begin at 7:30pm
Camp ends at 4:00pm Sunday, December 9
$100 includes the cost for housing, food, audition shirt, and materials for the weekend.  ($25 discount if paid by November 30)

Online Application
To receive detailed information about the auditions and reserve an audition spot, students should submit an on-line application form. There will be a non-refundable, one-time $40 application fee that will be charged upon registering for the auditions (waived for returning members). Once you apply online, you will be on the contact list and be given access to the audition materials as soon as they are available.  Register now here .

Satellite Pre-Audition Opportunities - Colorguard and Percussion
This fall, The Academy will be hosting informal pre-audition opportunities to work with the staff and be evaluated prior to the auditions.  These short workshops are designed for those individuals who live in the Southern California area and want to get a feel for the organization and instructional methods of the corps before making the investment to attend the audition camp in December.  The format of the workshops will include short instructional sessions as well as individual opportunities to be evaluated by the staff.  Interested students should fill out the online application form and designate which satellite experience they will be attending at that time.  There is no additional cost beyond the $40 application fee to attend those sessions. 

Percussion
Saturday, November 24
Ayala High School 9am-6pm  (Front Ensemble individual auditions 10:30am to 12:30pm)

Colorguard
Sunday, November 25
Ayala High School 9am-6pm

Video Auditions
If non-residents of Arizona would like to submit a preliminary audition video to the staff prior to booking travel arrangements for the audition camp, we encourage them to do so.  The best way to do this is to upload a video online that will demonstrate the skills required by the staff.  This process will offer our staff an opportunity to give the applicant feedback, but member spots are never offered based solely on a video audition.  We will require all applicants to audition in person for the staff at some point prior to being accepted as a member.   For more details on what to submit and how, go to the video audition guidelines page here.

Rehearsals/Camps
Your school activities take priority over Academy rehearsals. Keeping this in mind, the staff is asking that each prospective member look over the on-line calendar and predict ANY scheduling conflicts with rehearsals & performances before making a commitment. Attendance at rehearsals is paramount in attempting to achieve the highest level of excellence. Every audition applicant of the corps must turn in a preliminary attendance contract form during auditions. This form will be made available to all who submit an online application.  It is used to help determine an applicant's eligibility as a member.  Applicants will receive additional detailed rehearsal schedules as they become available.

2013 Overnight Training Camp Dates
Audition Camp - December 7-9  (Full Corps)
Training Camp #1 - January 11-13  (Brass & Percussion)
Training Camp #2 - February 1-3  (Brass & Percussion)
Training Camp #3 - March 1-3  (Brass)
Training Camp #4 - April 5-7  (Brass)
Training Camp #5 - May 3-5  (Full Corps)
Training Camp #6 - May 24-27 (Full corps) (Move-in rehearsals begin)

2013 Membership Dues
Often called tour fees, the membership dues cover most of the costs associated with the summer experience including meals (other than some travel days and free days), over 11,000 miles of touring, 30+ performances, and hundreds of hours of world class education. The comprehensive dues for 2013 that include all camps, equipment fees, membership dues, and tour fees will range around $3,300.  A minimum monthly payment schedule is required upon being accepted as a member of the corps.  Discounts are also available for early payments and returning members.  Details are available to audition applicants upon registering online as well as the membership brochure above (coming soon).

Parents, have questions about drum corps? Why is your child interested in this?  What is this all about?  Let us explain, here.

Questions? Who do I contact?
General questions about auditions or The Academy:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it