Dear Audition Applicant,

The Clinic/Auditions begin in just under a week! We look forward to seeing all of you there. Below are some important reminders and new updates for you to think about before you get here. Also included are some exciting details about 2008 that were revealed at the Open House yesterday. Take a look to keep up to speed.

In General
Keep checking in at the website for any last minute details and changes regarding the upcoming events. Please review the member handbook and audition letters from staff before you attend the two weekends. They are available for download at the applicant site. It will make sure you are well prepared.

Clinic/Audition Fee and Audition Paperwork
Be prepared to pay the $35 fee upon check-in. Audition applicants should also have completed their Medical Form and Attendance Contract prior to arriving. Those forms can also be downloaded at the applicant site.

The Weather This Weekend
Be prepared for the potential of rain this weekend. We will do our best to work around the weather, but there may be moments that we’ll be running the clinic with some light sprinkling. The current forecast shows a chance of rain with high temperatures of 65-70 degrees. Layered clothing for any situation is a good way to be prepared.

Brass & Percussionists
If you own a music stand of any kind, bring it. We will not have access to music stands but need to have the ability to read music. Put your name on it to make sure it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. It would be a good idea to bring a 3 ring binder with plastic protector sheets and some clothes pins to help with your music in whatever weather.

Clinic/Audition Location
Important! Please remember that the auditions will be located at 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 applicant’s responsibility to secure housing for their stay during auditions. If help is needed, you should have already contacted us for assistance. There are a limited number of 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 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)

Applicant Site
Don't forget to check in on the applicant site every few days for updates.

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.


Notes from the Informational Open House


1. The Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts Mission – “Building Great People Through Great Performances”. Vision – “ To grow The Academy into Arizona’s leader in providing unique and excellent youth performing arts education opportunities, and resources.”
2. The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps Goals – A. To Offer a quality educational and character building experiences to our members. B. To Improve the skill and motivational level of our members in hopes of helping to enhance music programs across the state of Arizona.
3. Last Year’s Corps in Review.
4. The Corps in 2008
A. Academy will compete in World Class
B. DCI allows up to 150 in the corps
C. Pre-season performances – Kuske/Quiet Wedding, A Night at the Gallery, Academy Benefit Dinner, Music Under the Stars, 6th Annual Memorial Day Concert, Indoor Theater Performances, Summer Marching Academy,
D. Academy sponsored by Jupiter Band Instruments in 2008. As a part of the Quantum Marching Project, The Academy will be sponsored by Jupiter to premier the latest instruments produced by Jupiter under the names Jupiter Brass, Mapex Marching Percussion, and Majestic Field Percussion. See more at www.quantummarching.com. Other Endorsements include: Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets
5. The Tour – 37 days on the road, Participate in 5 of the 7 Major Event Weekends, Longest stretch of touring ever, Compete in 20 shows outside of championships.
6. The Cost – Corps budget is $447,690
7. Rehearsal Locations – Mostly at Tempe Sports Complex, Possibly at ASU
8. Recruitment Progress – 549 total applicants, 58 guard, 23 cymbals, 37 pit, 111 snare, 61 tenor, 55 bass, 74 trumpet, 25 mellophone, 61 baritone/euphonium, 43 tuba, 92 veteran applications
9. Administrative Staff – Mark Richardson- Executive Director, Ian Templin, Chris Kotterman – Tour Directors, Carol Balk – Business Manager, Chris Coyoli, Carlos Soria, Clayton Ledford – Website.
10. Design Team – Mark Richardson, Sam Pilafian, Pat Sheridan, Glen Crosby, Chris Retschulte, Rob Jett, Brandy Dubose
11. Brass Staff – Sam Pilafian, Patrick Sheridan, Mark Richardson, Christian Carichner, Will Plenk, Others TBA
12. Percussion Staff – Glen Crosby, Chris Retschulte, Ryan Masterson, Aaron Morales, Fred Smith, Jonathan Sutton, Mike Talerico, Andrea Venet
13. Guard Staff – Brandy Dubose, Rob Jett, Sergio Marquez, Robby Jacobson, Allan Dekko, Others TBA
14. Visual Staff – Matthew Ray, Andy Blount, Tim Darbonne, Joe Gray, Justin Hancock, James Plunkett, Carlos Soria, Matt Stout
15. Other Staff – Scott Lang, leadership
16. Financial Commitment - $75 Equipment fee, $2,000 Membership Fees. $100 early payment discount, $100 veteran discount.
17. Payment Schedule – 6 Monthly payments outlined in member contract.
18. Additional Requirements – sell 20 tickets to our events 10 to Southwest corps Connection, 10 to Memorial Day Concert. Purchase $200/month in groceries with the grocery cards. Purchase 4 additional cards ($5 ea.) to distribute to other families to use regularly. (see more at AAPA home page on the Grocery card fundraising).
19. Individual member fundraising opportunities – Member Sponsorship Drive, Selling additional tickets, misc. projects
20. Booster Organization – Strongly recommended for parents to join. Keep up to speed with the latest news.
21. The Production – (those in attendance were treated to the sounds of our 2008 show)
22. Audition Applicants broke off into sections to answer questions about the coming auditions.