BE A CRUSADER IN 2024
Now is YOUR TIME to join the Boston Crusaders! We are seeking new members to join the Boston Crusaders brass, battery, front ensemble, and color guard in 2024!
This season, all auditions begin with a video! Start your BAC experience by submitting a video audition showcasing your best skills by November 1st. After round one, selected auditionees will be invited to the December Callback Camps in San Antonio, TX! Auditionees may attend camp, December 8th-10th or December 15th-17th, both weekends offer the same immersive BAC experience!
What are you waiting for? Click below to review our video audition requirements and get started!
THE AUDITION PROCESS
ROUND ONE: VIDEO
Due November 1st
All auditions begin with a video! Brass, percussion, and color guard auditionees will submit a video showcasing their best skills to receive an invite to a December Callback Camp. Click below to register and submit your video audition!
$150
ROUND TWO: CALLBACK CAMPS
Choose One: December 8th-10th or 15th-17th
Selected auditionees will be invited to a December Callback Camp at Pieper High School in San Antonio, TX. Auditionees may choose to attend either of the two camp weekends, December 8th-10th, or December 15th-17th. Registration will open after video auditions close on November 1st.
$250
HOW TO 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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
THE 2024 SEASON AT A GLANCE
DECEMBER CALLBACK CAMPS
December 8th-10th or 15th-17th
Pieper High School – San Antonio, TX
Selected auditionees will be invited to attend a callbacks in San Antonio, TX. Auditionees must select one camp, either December 8th-10th or 15th-17th.
JANUARY CAMP
Dates TBA
Pieper High School – San Antonio, TX
Contracted brass and percussion members will meet in San Antonio for the first production camp of the season.
APRIL CAMP
Late April – Dates TBA
Pieper High School – San Antonio, TX
Brass, percussion, and color guard will meet in San Antonio for the final production camp of the season!
SPRING TRAINING
Mid May – Dates TBA
Vermont State University – Castleton
The summer begins! The corps will return to Vermont State University’s Castleton campus (formerly Castleton University) for spring training in mid-May.
Our full tour calendar will be available in the early winter.
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.
Our current openings for 2024 include:
- Brass – all sections
- Battery – all sections
- Synth
- Timpani
- Mallets
- Guard – weapon, flag, and dance
How do I audition?
Begin your audition with three easy steps:
- Purchase your brass or percussion audition packet
- Join your Facebook Interest Page to interact with staff and veteran members
- Submit a video audition
If you are selected to move on to the next round after a video audition, you will be invited to attend a 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
- Video audition: $150
- Callback camp: $250
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?
Housing, meals, and transportation will be provided at all weekend camps.
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 2024 season be like?
The 2024 season can be broken up into three main parts: camps, spring training, and tour. Each section’s attendance requirements are listed below.
Camps:
Brass:
- Video audition
- ONE December Callback Camp – December 8th-10th OR December 15th-17th in San Antonio, TX
- January Brass and Percussion Camp – Dates TBD in San Antonio, TX
- April Camp – Dates TBD in San Antonio, TX
Percussion:
- Video audition
- ONE December Callback Camp – December 8th-10th OR December 15th-17th in San Antonio, TX
- January Brass and Percussion Camp – Dates TBD in San Antonio, TX
- April Camp – Dates TBD in San Antonio, TX
Color Guard:
- Video audition
- ONE December Callback Camp – December 8th-10th OR December 15th-17th in San Antonio, TX
- April Camp – Dates TBD in San Antonio, TX
Spring Training/Move-Ins:
Mid-May through Mid-June
The 2024 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 10th
After four weeks of spring training, the 2024 Boston Crusaders will embark on a tour that is approximately eight weeks long from mid-June to August 10th. The corps will travel the country via coach bus and house in high schools and college campuses. The corps will perform on the 2024 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 2024 DCI World Championships in Indianapolis, IN.
What is the tuition cost?
Tuition information for the 2024 season will be communicated when available.
Questions? Email us at info@bostoncrusaders.org
STAY IN TOUCH
Fill out our interest form to receive the latest updates about auditions!
