2023 Auditions

JOIN THE BOSTON CRUSADERS

Fresh off a historic summer, the Boston Crusaders are now casting for our 2023 season! Spots are open in all sections including brass, battery, front ensemble, our three-time George Zingali Award-winning color guard, and drum majors/conductors.

This fall, one-day auditions will be held throughout the month of November in San Antonio and Dallas for all sections, Indianapolis for color guard, or by video if you cannot attend in person. Your journey to the Boston Crusaders begins by registering for an in-person or video audition. Then, download an audition packet to begin practicing (brass and percussion only). Finally, join your section’s Facebook group to meet the Boston Crusaders staff and members!

Now is your time to be a Crusader. Click below to get started!

DRUM MAJOR CANDIDATES: If you are interested in auditioning to be a drum major or conductor, do not register for an audition date. Instead, please fill out our audition interest form here. We will be in touch with more information later in the winter.

AUDITION

INDIANAPOLIS

November 13th

Color Guard Only

Register

SAN ANTONIO

November 19th

Brass, Percussion, Color Guard

Register

DALLAS

November 20th

Brass, Percussion, Color Guard

Register

VIDEO

Various Due Dates

Brass and Percussion 11/13, Color Guard 12/1

Submit

PREPARE

 

PURCHASE YOUR PACKET

The most important part of your audition is the packet! Purchase your downloadable audition packet to receive the technique exercises, warmups, and show excerpts that will be evaluated at the in-person audition camps. Plus, each packet provides access to our Backstage video service so that you can see the exercises in action!

Purchasing a packet is required for all brass and percussion auditionees. There is no packet for color guard or conductors, please click here for more info.

Download

PURCHASE PACKET

The most important part of your audition is the packet! Purchase your downloadable audition packet to receive the technique exercises, warmups, and show excerpts that will be evaluated at the in-person audition camps. Plus, each packet provides access to our Backstage video service so you can see the exercises in action!

Purchasing a packet is required for all brass and percussion auditionees. There is no packet for color guard. More information about audition requirements and process is provided within the packet.

Download

 

JOIN INTEREST GROUPS

Before registering for an audition you can meet and interact with veteran members and staff, ask questions, and post progress videos by joining your section’s interest group on Facebook! Our staff and veteran members will be available to provide critique, answer questions, and provide advice before your audition!

Click below to find your section!

JOIN


 

REVIEW AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Make sure you’re prepared by reviewing your section’s audition requirements. Here you’ll find section-by-section information regarding what music to prepare, what equipment to bring, and anything else you should know before heading to an audition!

Other information regarding membership, finances, and logistics are included in our FAQs below. If your question still isn’t answered, send us an email at info@bostoncruaders.org!

Submit

REVIEW AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Make sure you’re prepared by reviewing your section’s audition requirements. Here you’ll find section-by-section information regarding what music to prepare, what equipment to bring, and anything else you should know before heading to an audition!

Other information regarding membership, finances, and logistics are included in our FAQs below. If your question still isn’t answered, send us an email at info@bostoncruaders.org!

Submit

THE 2023 SEASON

 

DECEMBER CALLBACK CAMP

December 9th-11th

Pieper High School – San Antonio, TX
Brass and percussion callbacks and returning percussion

JANUARY CAMP

January 13th-15th

Pieper High School – San Antonio, TX
Contracted brass and percussion

MARCH BRASS CAMP

March 17th-19th

Pieper High School – San Antonio, TX
Brass only camp

APRIL CAMP

April 28th-30th

Pieper High School – San Antonio, TX
Color guard final callbacks. Brass and percussion camp.

SPRING TRAINING

Mid-May

The summer begins in Castleton, VT! All members will move into Castleton University in mid-May to begin spring training. Exact dates for each section will be included in your membership handbook. After a month of spring training, the corps will set off on tour in mid-June.

 

Full tour calendar will be available in November.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What sections have open spots?

We have openings in all sections including brass, battery, front ensemble, color guard, and drum majors/conductors. We had over 50 age-outs in 2022 so there are plenty of opportunities to join us in 2023!

Our current openings for 2023 include:

  • Brass soloists
  • Battery – all sections
  • Synth
  • Timpani
  • Mallets
  • Brass – all sections
  • Guard – weapon, flag, and dance

How do I audition?

Begin your audition with three easy steps:

If you are selected to move on to the next round after an in-person audition or video audition, you may be asked to attend our December Callback Camp held in San Antonio, TX.

How do I prepare for my audition?

Begin by downloading an audition packet and then practice, practice, practice. Your audition packet contains all of the music you will need to prepare for an audition with the Boston Crusaders. Audition requirements for each section are listed within the packets or by clicking here.

Typically, brass and percussion will prepare select exercises from the packet for evaluation in an individual and group setting, plus a piece that exhibits your individual strengths. Brass candidates will also be led through a visual block and evaluation. Read more about audition requirements here.

Color guard auditionees will be evaluated on flag and weapon basics, tosses, and technique. You should be prepared to learn choreography for body and equipment and show off any special talents you may possess. Weapon experience is not necessary. Read more about guard requirements here.

What are the audition fees?

  • Audition packet (brass and percussion only): $25
  • Audition registration: $150 (Early bird pricing passed on October 31st)
  • Callback camps: $200 each, unless contracted and on payment plan

Do I need to bring my own instrument or equipment?

If you have access to an instrument or color guard equipment, please bring it with you to auditions. We have a limited amount of brass and percussion instruments available. If you do not have an instrument, please bring your own mouthpiece.

Will there be housing, meals, or transportation provided?

No, there will be no overnight housing or transportation provided for one-day audition dates. Auditionees are required to arrange their own transportation from airports if necessary.

There will be no meals provided during one-day auditions. There will be a break for each meal. Each section operates on separate schedules so break times will be arranged by the onsite staff. Attendees are encouraged to either bring packed meals or order out. Please bring water, there will be opportunities to refill.

For full weekend rehearsal camps (December, January, March, April), housing, meals and transportation will be provided.

Can I participate without auditioning?

Yes. The best way to get a feel for the audition process is to start now. It is never too early to start working towards your goals. Students are allowed to join Facebook pages, download audition packets, and attend audition dates without formally auditioning.

Is there a minimum age to march with the Boston Crusaders?

Our membership ages range from 16-22. Our average age is 19.5 years of age. For members under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must be involved in the process from auditions through contracting and membership.

What will the 2023 season be like?

The 2023 season can be broken up into three main parts: camps, spring training, and tour. Each section’s attendance requirements are listed below.

Camps:

Brass:

  • One day audition or video audition
  • December Callback Camp – December 9-11th in San Antonio, TX
  • January Brass and Percussion Camp – January 13-15th in San Antonio, TX
  • March Brass Camp – March 17-19th in San Antonio, TX
  • April Camp – April 28-30th in San Antonio, TX

Percussion:

  • One day audition or video audition
  • December Callback Camp – December 9-11th in San Antonio, TX
  • January Brass and Percussion Camp – January 13-15th in San Antonio, TX
  • April Camp – April 28-30th in San Antonio, TX

Color Guard:

  • One day audition or video audition
  • April Camp – April 28-30th in San Antonio, TX

Spring Training/Move-Ins:

Mid-May through Mid-June

The 2023 Boston Crusaders’ spring training will take place at Castleton University in Castleton, VT from mid-May through mid-June. While rehearsing at Castleton, members reside in dorms and eat in the campus dining hall, with an end of day snack provided from the corps’ food truck. Castleton University provides ample rehearsal space including indoor facilities, multiple outdoor fields, and a turf stadium. We enjoy very comfortable spring temperatures and the members have one night off per week for rest and relaxation.

Tour

Concludes August 12th

After four weeks of spring training, the 2023 Boston Crusaders will embark on a tour that is approximately eight weeks long from mid-June to August 12th. The corps will travel the country via coach bus and house in high schools and college campuses. The corps will perform on the 2023 Drum Corps International summer tour and several special performances including parades and concerts. Between rehearsals and shows, members will enjoy free days to explore cities along the way. The season will culminate at the 2023 DCI World Championships in Indianapolis, IN.

What is the tuition cost?

Tuition information for the 2023 season will be communicated when available.

Questions? Email us at info@bostoncrusaders.org

NOT READY TO REGISTER YET?

Fill out our interest form for more info!

INTEREST FORM