Contra94

My personal favorites are the PT50 and PT 88 (I use the + models for both), the Hammond 30XL, System Blue tuba mouthpiece in that order.

Practice the hell out of your tuba, whenever both corps release their audition information/music for 2015 (probably next October/November), practice it until you hate it. Take tuba lessons, start working out. At the auditions don't be scared, the staff WANTS you to succeed. Don't give them a reason to doubt your ability. Do a lot of upper body/back work outs. If you are near a local DCA corps, see if they might have a spot open, or even Cadets*2.

Check out the sheets from Semis night.

For a G hornline, the music isn't written in concert pitch (normally). You should be able to read it like a normal tuba part. If it's bass clef, you read it as written, if it's treble clef, you read it like you would as a trumpet.

Added: Visual & Brass workshop on December 8th

Added: SCVC Staff will be hosting a Visual and Brass Workshop at the Corps Hall on December 8th

They've had this resource for a couple of years. It's advertised on their social media networks once the winter season comes around.

Updated with all the locations for SCV and SCVC auditions.

Everyone is getting ideas off each other, on the field/floor and off.

more audition information has been released (updated) here: http://www.scvanguard.org/2014/

Auditions in Indianapolis now including Battery Percussion (no cymbals)

The Trumpet and Baritones did have members who switched over from a woodwind this season.

Check your PM, When you come to the camp, take into account what the staff says, if you have any questions, ask a veteran or staff member, try as hard as you can throughout the camp. The whole camp itself (even when you aren't playing or marching) is evaluated.

All spots are open, I would email the corps at Cadets@SCVanguard.org and they will get you connected to the Brass Caption Head or Corps Director. Hope to see you at auditions! If you do want to use a corps baritone, they are large shank horns. Try asking your school's band director if you can use one of your school's baritones/euphoniums or trumpets and explain to him/her your interest in auditioning for drum corps. Sometimes they'll even offer to give you lessons.

VANGUARD CADETS will host their audition weekend at Independence HS in San Jose, CA on December 20-22. SCVC Visual and Brass Workshop will be at the corps hall on December 8th http://www.scvanguard.org/about/news/?uuid=250c4e7e-fcdb-48d7-98c8-0162477846e2 http://www.scvanguard.org/about/news/?uuid=355ab27e-d8ba-4021-8127-336751be8ada

NOVEMBER 22-24 - Clinic & Auditions at Richland Hills HS, North Richland (Fort Worth), TX - BRASS, PERCUSSION (no cymbals), COLOR GUARD SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 - Indianapolis, IN - Lawrence Central High School - BRASS & RECENTLY ADDED BATTERY PERCUSSION (no cymbals) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 - Pasadena, CA - SITE TBA - BRASS, BATTERY PERCUSSION (no cymbals), COLOR GUARD SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8 - Orlando, FL - Olympia HS, Orlando, FL - COLOR GUARD DECEMBER 13-15 - Clinic & Auditions at Independence HS, San Jose, CA - BRASS, ALL PERCUSSION, COLOR GUARD SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 - Clements HS, Sugar Land (Houston), TX - BRASS ONLY December 8 - Santa Clara, CA - Vanguard Cadets Brass & Visual Staff Hosting Annual Pre-Audition Workshop http://www.scvanguard.org/about/news/?uuid=250c4e7e-fcdb-48d7-98c8-0162477846e2 VANGUARD CADETS will host their audition weekend at Independence HS in San Jose, CA on December 20-22. http://www.scvanguar...27-336751be8ada

There's a great app called "Mid-Set" for iPhone, great for adding midset,quarter sets, etc. during bus rides. Also, Tonal Energy for hornline members, great tuner with lots of extra features.

Not sure if you already did it, but the Tuba forums might be a better place for this. Lots of people over there with random horns, a few are bound to have a marching horn they might not be using

Where do out of towners park their cars during tour? At SCVC, they parked them at the corps hall (and around it), BD/BDB parked their cars at Mars. Just a random thing going through my head.

I'm excited to see what the show will be this season. Going to stop by their auditions this week while attending a meeting at the hall.

https://www.scvanguard.org/about/news/?uuid=eb8ad566-edd2-4a9c-9917-1f1d8354a358

When you are moving to various locations at the audition site, run. Don't be the last guy in the arc if you're a horn player. Mirror what the vets are doing during rehearsal. Introduce yourself to the other auditionees and vets.

All of the sections in Vanguard's hornline used Karl Hammond Design mouthpieces. They've been using KH mouthpieces for the past few years. Karl Hammond Marching Mouthpieces

An exercise we were told was to hold 2 1 gallon milk bottles/water bottles at a similar position as carry. Push ups and lifting weights whenever you can will help.

Planning on auditioning for SCV and SCVC again.