Frequently asked questions
Everything members and parents ask about joining Gold, from auditions to tour.
What is drum corps?
What is drum corps?
Drum corps is a competitive musical marching activity that takes place in the summer. Like marching band, it is made up of brass, percussion and color guard. There are no woodwinds, but woodwind players are encouraged to join and learn a new instrument.
Drum Corps International (DCI) is the nonprofit governing organization for all drum and bugle corps. DCI competitions take place in the summer, and most corps begin training in late winter or early spring.
Joining Gold
Is there a fee to audition?
Yes. The $125 audition fee covers everything: the audition packet, instruction, all audition weekends and any callback camps. No other fees are charged until you are a contracted member.
How much does it cost to march?
The 2027 tour fee is being finalized and is expected to be about $6,000. It covers an 80+ day program: staff instruction, rehearsal facilities, uniforms, instruments and equipment, transportation and lodging on mini-tour and tour to championships, and meals on tour.
Fundraising opportunities are available.
What if I can’t make any of the audition dates?
If I owe money to another corps, can I still join?
Who can my parents talk to if they have questions?
Drum corps is new to many parents. Start with this website and DCI’s parent resources at dci.org/parents. Every audition weekend includes a new-parent meeting with a detailed Q&A.
If your parents still have questions, they’re welcome to contact us directly.
Auditions
What are you looking for when I audition?
Auditions show our staff your music, marching, movement and equipment skills. We also look for:
A positive attitude
Work ethic and commitment to effort
Focus and the ability to follow directions
Learning and applying instruction to exercises
Handling constructive criticism positively
How you interact with other auditionees
Being able to attend all camps, rehearsals and performances
Will I be interviewed?
Any advice for audition day?
Enjoy yourself and stay positive: our staff wants you to succeed. Our member Code of Conduct shows what we expect of every member.
Callbacks & contracts
What if I get a callback?
What if I’m offered a contract?
Are there discounts?
Returning members get a discount for each year they have marched with Gold, and there is an extra discount for paying tuition in full within 10 days of your contract offer.
Email Kevin.Valentine@goldyoutharts.org
Season & schedule
How much time will I need to commit?
Gold runs from December auditions through the DCI World Championships in August. The full season is laid out below.
What a season with Gold looks like
School and performance conflicts are excused through the second week of June. After that, every member attends every Gold event unless the Corps Director clears an exception.
Dec – Jan
Audition camps
Two weekend rehearsal camps with open auditions for all sections.
Feb – Apr
Brass rehearsals
Periodic weekend brass rehearsals with ongoing auditions. Guard and percussion may get video assignments.
Late Apr – May
Full corps camps
Every weekend, all sections. Memorial Day is a three-day move-in camp.
June
All days
Every day is a drum corps day, with occasional rest and laundry days.
Early July
Nor-Cal tour
Rehearsals in McFarland, CA, then shows in Sacramento and Stanford.
Mid-July – Aug
National tour
SoCal shows, then a multi-state tour ending at DCI World Championships in Indianapolis.
Spring rehearsals are mainly at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, CA. Other locations depend on facility access and are posted on the calendar.
Still have questions?
Parents are welcome too. There’s a new-parent meeting with Q&A at every audition weekend, and DCI has a guide for parents at dci.org/parents.