Dear Audition Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps. Enclosed in this email are many details, reminders, and new information that will keep you up to speed as the audition mini-camps approach. Please take a few minutes to read it so that you will have all of the latest information. While most of you will be attending the auditions with the intention of earning a position in the corps, those of you who will be attending to just receive the instruction will be interested in this information as well.

Application Statistics
To date, we have seen the largest level of interest in our auditions we have ever seen. Over 500 applicants have already registered for 2008 from 30 states including: Alabama (5), Arkansas (3), Arizona (270), California (71), Colorado (6), Florida (10), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (5), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (9), Mississippi (1), North Carolina (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (21), Nevada (8), Oklahoma (16), Oregon (1), Tennessee (4), Texas (49), Utah (5), Virginia (1), Washington (6), West Virginia (1). 82 of these are Academy veterans who are interest in auditioning for 2008 as well. It is a clear sign that we are in for one spectacular season.

The 2008 Tour
This year, the corps will be traveling further than it has ever gone. While the DCI tour calendar has not been sealed in stone, it looks as if we will be on the road for about 37 days and competing in 20 shows outside of championships week in Indianapolis. It also looks as if we may be appearing in all but one major event weekend throughout the summer. Exposure to the country will be great as we will perform in places no Arizona corps has ever been.

2008 Membership
Creating a successful team starts with gathering the right teammates. Selecting the correct membership for The Academy could possibly be the staff's most important job of the entire season. Each year, our organization increases the level of expectation on its staff and membership. 2008 is certainly no exception. It is our intention to select members that are in the image of what a perfect member for The Academy is. We seek members that are willing to challenge their bodies to reach their peak athletic performance. We look for individuals that demonstrate a strong understanding of their craft, and are eager to learn from our staff and anxious to work on their skills through daily practice in and out of scheduled rehearsals. We ask our members to continue to develop their character in and out of rehearsals. We look for members that avoid activities of smoking, drugs, and alcohol consumption as a part of their character building experience. The members we seek are looking to join a corps that believes in its pedagogy and how we are attempting to develop not only strong performers, but future teachers.

There are up to 150 open positions in the corps. These positions will be filled with confident, prepared, honest, driven young adults who desire to be around a group of like-minded people that believe The Academy can be one of the best in the world.

Clinic/Audition Mini-Camps
December 8-9 10AM-6PM Brass, Percussion, and Color Guard
December 15-16 10AM-6PM Brass and Percussion only
(Color Guard auditions continue on the first full camp, January 4,5,6)
See note below on location change for the auditions

Applicant Site
Don't forget to check in on the applicant site every few days for updates. Remember that the access codes are:
(access codes are available to applicants only)

Informational Open House - Sunday, December 2nd 3:00 PM - Arizona State University
Just as discussed in the recently updated Audition Information Letter on the applicant site, the Open House is an opportunity to learn more about the corps plans for 2008. Remember that it is not a mandatory part of the audition experience. For a map to the Education Lecture Hall, refer to this letter. Also remember that parking will be a problem on that day with performances going on at Gammage Auditorium. If Gammage parking lot is not available you can try Structure 1 off of Apache Blvd, Structure 3 off of 10th street east of Mill Ave., or one of the lots north of the Nelson Fine Arts Center. Plan on carpooling if possible.

Audition Location Change
Important! Please note that the auditions have been moved to the campus of Arizona State University at the Band Practice Fields. See the Audition Information Letter on the applicant site for a map. This location is in the heart of Tempe and even closer to the airport than the Tempe Sports Complex.

Housing for out of town applicants
Below is a list of hotels that are very close to the auditions at Arizona State University. Remember that it is the applicants responsibility to secure housing for their stay during auditions. If help is needed, there are a limited number individuals within the veteran membership that are willing to house and help with airport transportation. Contact me if you would like to be put on the list of those in need of help.

Springhill Suites by Marriott Phoenix Tempe Airport - from $84.00
Country Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport - from $92.00
Econo Lodge At Az State University - from $59.99
Ramada Limited Tempe University - from $66.49
Tempe Days Inn - from $62.99
Comfort Inn & Suites At Asu - from $85.49
Super 8 Motel Tempe Az - from $79.20
Americas Best Value Inn Tempe Asu - from $55.20
Twin Palms Hotel - from $89.00
Quality Inn At Asu-airport - from $98.99
Courtyard by Marriott Tempe Downtown - from $123.00
Best Western Inn of Tempe - from $76.49
Tempe Mission Palms Hotel - from $159.00

2008 Member Handbook
In the next couple of days the 2008 Member Handbook will be posted on the applicant site. Please print it off and take some time to go over the expectations of membership in the corps.

Forms and Paperwork
Remember that when you come to auditions, you need bring with you these filled out forms available on the applicant site:
Medical Form
Attendance Contract
If you are only attending the mini-camps for the clinic experience, you do not need to bring either of these forms.

Audition Fee
Remember that there is a one-time clinic/audition fee of $35 that is due when you check in at the auditions. This fee gives you access to both weekends of auditions.

Clinic/Audition Cancellation
Please let us know immediately if your plans have changed and you will no longer be joining us for the clinic/audition mini-camp.


Thanks in advance for all of your hard work in preparing for the auditions. I look forward to meeting you in person in December.
Sincerely,
Mark Richardson
mark@arizonaacademy.org
Executive Director
Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts, Inc.