Frequently Asked Questions

Audition packets will be released near the end of September! An audition packet is included with your audition registration, so you do not have to purchase both a registration and an audition packet.

Check out our website for more information at mandarins.org/audition

We understand that prior commitments with school/band may arise, and you might not be able to attend all portions of an audition camp. If a schedule conflict comes up, please email our admin team at experience@mandarins.org as well as your caption staff to notify them so they can help make accommodations:

We do not have a required minimum age, but we do recommend at least 15 years old for auditions. DCI has an age limit for participating members, Drum Corps International’s age limit is 21 years of age with one exception. Corps members who turn 22 on or after June 1 are eligible to march during that year.

Step 1: Join our Slack interest Group.

Step 1: Submit a pre-screening video audition by our deadline: TBD

Step 2: Selected applicants will be invited based on their pre-screening to register for our Northern California Audition Camp.

Step 3. Attend our Northern California camp in December to audition in person to join our drum major team.

NOTE: Only invited applicants can audition in person for Drum Major. PLEASE only register for camp after our staff has invited you.

Yes! We take video auditions for Brass, Color Guard, and Percussion.

For Drum Majors, a video pre-screening is required before an in-person audition at our Northern California Camp.

You can register for a video audition at mandarins.org/audition

The Audition materials are included when registering for an Experience Camp. You will receive a confirmation email after completing the registration process with a link to download the materials.

If you are not planning on auditioning, you can purchase audition materials at mandarins.org/audition for an additional cost.

Specific Audition camps will offer auditions for specific sections within the drum corps!

NOTE: In order to audition for Drum Major, you must first submit a video audition pre-screening and be invited to our Sacramento Camp.

Northern California: Brass, Color Guard, Percussion, and DRUM MAJOR.

Southern California: Brass, Color Guard, and Percussion.

Texas: Brass, Color Guard, and Percussion

Connecticut: Brass only.

Three-Day California Camps:

• Friday

  • 6PM – Check-in

  • 7PM – Rehearsal Begins

  • 10PM – Rehearsal ends

    • Snack and Shower

    • Overnight housing is provided

• Saturday

  • Rehearsal All-day

• Sunday

  • Rehearsal ends at 3PM

One-Day Satellite Camps:

• 9:00AM – Registration begins

• 10AM – Camp begins

• 5PM – Camp Ends

• Your instrument/equipment if possible. We will have limited quantities available.
  

  • Brass: Instrument and mouthpiece

  • Battery: Drum, stand, carrier, sticks, and practice pad

  • Front ensemble: Bring any mallets you have

  • Guard: This includes flag/pole, rifle, and saber.

• Backpack for Music, water, snacks, etc.

• An audition packet and materials for brass/percussion are needed.

• Comfortable athletic clothing and shoes.

• Water.

• Sunscreen.

• A positive attitude and willingness to learn.

• All musicians: three ring binder with plastic sleeves and a pencil.

• Change of clothes for the weekend. Plan to dress in layers. It will be warm in the gym. Since we are in California, where the climate is good, we will also likely be outside, so you will need to have warm clothes for that as well.

• Comfortable marching shoes.

• Your instrument/equipment if possible. We will have limited quantities available.
  

  • Brass: Instrument and mouthpiece

  • Battery: Drum, stand, carrier, sticks, and practice pad

  • Front ensemble: Bring any mallets you have

  • Guard: This includes flag/pole, rifle, and saber.

• Block Items: – Backpack – Binder – WITH ALL MUSIC – Pencil (bring multiple) – Gloves for Brass and Color Guard – Mouthpiece and horn – Water jug – Tennis shoes (be checking the weather, you may want to bring 2 pairs in case one gets soaked) – Baseball hat!!! (Don’t be afraid to bring extras) – Sunscreen – Hair ties (for guys too, it’s for the horn) – Rain Jacket – Black towel (to put horn on) – Fold-up music stand – Tuner – Metronome Non-block Items: – Air mattress – Sleeping bag/blanket – Pillow -Sweatshirt/Sweatpants – 2-3 outfits (shorts/pants/leggings, shirts for block. pro tip: sleep in your block clothes for the next day, not pajamas) – Extra socks! 4-5 pairs – Underwear – Sports bras – Flip-flops/shower shoes – Toothbrush – Toothpaste – Hair brush/comb – Deodorant – Chapstick – Advil – Feminine products – Shampoo and conditioner – Body wash – Loofa – Towel – Phone charger – Pro tip* bring a small bag to carry your shower stuff in so that you don’t drop anything on the way there. Also, it’s easier to carry especially if showers are a bit of a walk.

For one day camps;

We will not be providing meals, so please be sure to bring your own snacks.

For three day weekend camps;

We will provide a snack after rehearsal Friday night, all meals on Saturday (breakfast, lunch, dinner & snack) and breakfast Sunday morning.

For those with dietary restrictions, please email jwkoester@sbcglobal.net

Northern California:

Optional overnight housing is available for $35.

Southern California:

Overnight housing is not provided.

Yes, there is a shuttle available for our Northern California camp!

The Mandarins Shuttle Request form is available here, if you need shuttle service between the Sacramento airport (SMF) and camp.

The cost is $20. Please contact our Transportation Coordinator, Alice Swift (aka Geema) at 619-400-9992 if your have questions about the shuttle.

We currently do not have shuttles available for other camps.

Auditions will give the staff an idea of your music, marching, movement, and equipment handling skills.

Think of your first rehearsal as a chair placement for an honor band rather than an “audition”.

We will also be looking at several other factors, including:

• Positive attitude.

• Work ethic.

• Commitment to effort.

• Ability to focus and follow directions.

• Ability to learn exercises.

• Ability to process information and instruction and apply it to exercises.

• Ability to handle constructive criticism in a positive manner.

• Interaction with other audionees.

• Ability to attend all camps and move into Spring Training in the Sacramento area (some flexibility is allowed due to school commitments but this IS our expectation).

In addition to an audition in a rehearsal setting, each prospective member will also be interviewed by the appropriate caption head.

Our marching member Code of Conduct can be found here. This will give you an idea of our organization’s expectation for its members.

Oh yes, in case you think we forgot to mention this: enjoy yourself! Stay positive and don’t lose sight of your goals and objectives. You are here because you enjoy doing this, and the staff does recognize your effort in coming to be here with us.

Commitment, dedication, and teamwork are the cornerstones of our organization. The Mandarins are rich with over 60 years of tradition and pride. We encourage your participation, and look forward to seeing you soon.

“This is long overdue, but I just wanted to share my gratitude towards Mandarins and everyone that’s involved in it. I feel blessed to have been part of something so special. I never thought that I’d be able to feel the way I did after quarterfinals/semifinals because I couldn’t stop smiling after those shows. When you feel like giving up, just remember to hold your head up high and be proud of what you do. We’ve all literally poured our blood, sweat, and tears into this show. I’ve met the most amazing, talented, and kind hearted young adults. Although we’ve gone our separate ways, I’m constantly reminded that Mandarins will always be my home. I’m glad that I chose to age out with Mandarins, and I feel honored to be an alumni. I hope to see everyone again in the future. Until then, just remember………..GET IT! – Van Anh Tran”

If you are offered membership, you will be required to attend our monthly rehearsal camps, which are held one weekend each month.

You will be invited to attend future camps. Make sure you check your email and your DragonData Account for camp registration information.

Housing, shuttles to/from the airport, and food are all provided, and attendance at all rehearsal camps is mandatory unless you have a previously-approved school conflict.

If you receive a callback/membership for the color guard, you are only required to attend April Camp.

February camp is Brass only.

NOTE: Percussion and Color Guard members may be required to submit video assignments during the winter months that they are not attending camps.

Check out our previous Member Handbook to learn more about the member expectations and policies!

Tour fees for the 2025 season are $6,200.

To secure your position you must pay the initial $1,300.00 membership/tour fee installment within 7 days or by January 25, 2025, whichever is earlier.

NOTE: The initial $ 1,300.00 fee is non-refundable.

Your Membership Fees must be paid in full by May 17, 2025, before the competitive season begins. The monthly payment schedule is below:

1st Payment $1,300.00 Contract Acceptance / January 23rd, 20252nd Payment $1,200.00February 23rd, 20253rd Payment $1,200.00 March 21st, 20254th Payment $1,200.00 April 19th, 20255th Payment $1,300.00 May 17th, 2025

NOTE: Returning members receive a $150.00 discount for each year that they have already marched with the Mandarins: 1 year = $150.00, two years = $300.00, three years = $450.00, four years = $600.00 This discount recognizes both the contribution you have made in your Mandarins career, and the contribution we expect from you in terms of leadership and setting a good model of what a Mandarins member should be.

NOTE: The Mandarins offers an Early Pay Discount of $250 if all fees are paid in FULL, by February 23, 2025.

To provide the best experience for members who seriously commit to the Mandarins, we regret that you may be dropped from the Corps if you do not meet your responsibility and pay your fees by the posted deadlines.

Please refer to the Member Handbook for an updated payment schedule and refund policy.

If you have any questions about the application process or fees, contact our director, JW Koester.

Unfortunately, we can not offer refund for experience camp auditions, but we can transfer the funds to a video audition, so you can still audition!

There are many ways to raise money for tour fees!

We host a crowdfunding campaign where each member can start their own page where friends and family can directly see how much you have raised, and help contribute to and share the campaign.

We also offer a season sponsorship program in which you can have friends, family, and local businesses donate directly to your fees on the Mandarins website.

Mandarins offers many scholarships leading up to the season. In past seasons, we awarded scholarships to FORTY members of the drum corps. These scholarships are funded through our donors and our many fundraising programs, such as Club 63, and the Big Day of Giving, so it is important our members help us share these campaigns, so we can raise as much as possible to give back.

DCI also offers scholarships for marching members that you can apply for at dci.org/scholarships.

Feel free to join our Interest Group on Discord and post your question! You can also email experience@mandarins.org and we will get back to you with an answer.

Flying into Sacramento:

If you are flying into Sacramento International Airport (SMF) for an audition camp or spring training, we will have shuttles available. Make sure to request a shuttle at mandarins.org/shuttle.

Flying out from Indianapolis:

The Sunday morning after DCI World Championship Finals, we will hold our banquet in the Indianapolis area.

This banquet will end in the early afternoon, and we will have a bus shuttle to Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

We suggest booking flights for 4PM or later on that Sunday.

If you need to leave immediately after Finals or earlier on Sunday morning, communicate with our admin team, as you might need to find alternative transportation accommodations to the airport.