How to succeed at your first drum corps camp

BushShield

The Bushwackers will be hosting our highly anticipated Open House this weekend, November 19 to 20, at Montgomery Township Lower Middle School in Skillman (just outside of Princeton), New Jersey.  In light of the incredible amount of new interest in the Bushwackers,  we would like to share our positive message of how to succeed at your first drum corps camp.

This guide, created for our prospective members, can be used to help anyone attending a drum corps camp this fall set themselves up for success.

If this is your first drum corps experience, or even your first time at a Bushwackers camp, here are a few tips on how to succeed and leave with a smile on your face:

Be Prepared. Your time here is about having fun, not stressing out. Make sure to have the following with you:

  • A great attitude. Have an amazing time while getting world-class instruction.
  • Sneakers.
  • Equipment. We will have MANY people at Open House. Extra stuff is always good to have around.
    • Percussion
      • Sticks or mallets
      • A Practice pad
      • An extra snare/tenor/bass drum with stand. The more the merrier!
      • Three-ringed binder w/ sheet protectors
    •  Brass
      • Bring a horn if you can, in case we run short.
        • No Trombones or Sousaphones.  Trumpets, baritones, mellophones, and shoulder tubas only.
      • A mouthpiece
      • Valve oil
      • Towel (Navy Blue), sizeable for under your instrument when laid on the ground
      • Three-ringed binder w/ sheet protectors
    •  Guard
      • Your own Rifles/Sabres if desired.
      • Your own pole and silk if desired.
      • Athletic/Dance appropriate clothing
  • Pencils!
  • A great attitude. In case you missed that one 🙂

Ask A LOT of Questions!

  • Be Wrong! It’s OK! That’s the only way you know what’s right, and how we know what information we need to be emphasizing.

Make Friends Before Coming

Make Sure We Know You Are Coming!

  • Why? We want to make sure we are prepared with food, equipment, etc.
  • We need to make sure we can get you a ride or help with anything you need to succeed before Open House!
  • RSVP-ing is easy. Click on the REGISTER link by the Open House announcement. It takes like 30 seconds.
  • Pay online in advance. After completing the registration form, you will be able to pay, or go directly to the Open House payment page.

If you are under 18, tell your parents about the Open House parents meeting.

  • We will have a special session at Open House just for Parents to get specific info on the details and schedule of marching for a season. Information is key for you AND your family to be successful in Drum Corps. We want everyone involved!

This is NOT an AUDITION!

  • We don’t do that here. We don’t cut people. If you want to be a Bushwacker, we will always have a place for you in the corps.

RELAX, and see above.

 

Follow this list, and you will walk in already successful. We look forward to meeting every one of you!