My Audition for DCA (All-Age Drum Corps)

5,000 likes = DCA vs DCI vs WGI comparison video

[MichaelSoucy]

I'm in my 50's and am now playing drum set for a DCA mini corps. It's not too late :-)

[Jason-Rose]

I'm in my mid-40's. I write the music for an all-age Corps. I also teach the horn line, write the drill, and teach the drill. My wife and I also play in the horn line. It is most DEFINITELY NOT the same as DCI, but the people are fantastic. My best friends are in the Corps and we have a great time doing what we do. I'd encourage anyone to do it, regardless of skill level. It's not about how good you are, it's about how hard you work.

[KAYDdubz]

I’m sorry but bushwackers is a hilarious name

[luukzon]

I marched DCA with a british corps called Kidsgrove scouts in 2017. I think our oldest member was around 64 playing euphonium!

[bledsoee_]

I literally live fifteen minutes from Ridgefield Park and I go to that movie theater all the time LOL

[emilybowers-kogut]

At 40 yrs old I just auditioned (and was offered a contract😱) for the guard after not spinning for 18 years. My experience with how kind and encouraging this group is was the exact same! What a great organization!❤

[andrewdressler]

Interesting, I was at Sunrisers in 2007. Also a friend of mine marched with you too. Our paths have definitely crossed several times.

[BSBINC]

The female chicken name shall be


Linda Jr

[caseywinkler]

Marched with carolina gold for the past 2 years, I was a soloist in 2019

[samsignorelli]

Fun fact about Bush....they won their first DCA title in1986. That was also the first show they EVER won.

[alexacosta]

Good morning . I just want you to now that you have taught me in like 3 hours worth of videos more than my middle school bans teacher in 3 years

[mrnicknick]

1:21 I can actually explain all 4 right before he even releases the video.
DCA: Like Eric said DCA (Drum Corps Associates) is all age drum corps that rehearses only on the weekend and their season typically ends in September. The price to do it is 50x cheaper than both Open and World class. Most if not all DCA corps are located in the New-England area with a few in the South-Eastern area. And while DCA does have “classes” in their circuit, it’s not as black and white as DCI Open and World class.

DCI Open Class: The differences between Open and World Class are black and white but there are similarities. DCI Open Class has mostly high school kids with some college kids. The price to do it is pretty much a discounted WC tour price. The rehearsals are the same as WC but abridged if you will. The location of most OC corps can be found in California but a handful of them can be found all across the United States. Also OC tour typically ends a few days before WC does.

DCI World-Class: DCI World-Class has mostly college kids with maybe a few seniors in high school. The price to do it is can go over 3, 000 or more (But that depends on the place). The rehearsal and tour are longer. The location of WC corps can be found all over the United States.

WGI: WGI (Winter Guard International) consist ‘s of either Color Guard or what you might know best for indoor Drumline. The rehearsals are that of DCA, that being on the weekends and the season ending in April.
Just like DCI and DCA, there are classes BUT if you want to know what the differences between all the classes are, make sure this comment gets over 250+ likes and I will respond with a follow up comment.

[TheChickenx]

PLEASE ASK OTHER CORPS!!!

It took almost a decade before Glassmen, one of my previous corps, to reach 4 tenors!!! (that were good enough)

[karaclysm]

Shannon.... that "chick" -en is definitely a shannon!

[natep]

I’m a Tenor player also. I auditioned for Jersey Surf but got cut, but now I’m contracted with Carolina Gold who were DCA but they’ve transitioned to DCI Open Class this year.

[seanwalsh]

Mate, great video In 1990 I marched Bushwackers. I am English and this is pre net. So after a couple of calls, the next spring I hopped at a plane and rocked up to a whole country of strangers! Lol. They took me in, I stayed for six months.Best summer ever a championship and part of the first junior or senior drum five peat ever. Good times. In 07 you had Hans from Germany I believe?

[FONFBand]

I marched a year of DCA Senior Corps when I was 19. It was a great experience and I made several lifetime friends. I marched DCI the next year and when I aged out, I went back and marched DCA again. I'm 66 now and I'm still playing in an Alumni Corps. The heart of drum and bugle corps is people, no matter the age or style. Great video!

[captainkiwi]

Good morning! I marched this past summer at Carolina gold and I have to say it was a fantastic time. I originally only did alchemy independent which is their winter group run by the percussion staff from gold (mostly with some add ons) so for years I would get hit up every summer to fill a hole and every summer I’d have to explain I blew all my money on indoor and couldn’t march dca, until I finally got a job and just did it, turns out my timing was great cause that year we ended up winning our second gold in a row, now I’ve moved back to Canada and have to find a new place to march, I’m in the Pacific Northwest so I’ve got cascades and columbians in area, hopefully I can get my ageout season in next year.

[willrobinson]

I marched DCA, the Southern Knights from Birmingham, AL. I now have a contract in a world class DCI corps. DCA is better than a lot of people think, they teach you a lot in a weekend

[j.k.percussionarts]

Hey Eric. Love you man! Glad you are doing well and doing your part to educate and inspire. 

I think something you mentioned that’s important is that you went by yourself because none of your friends wanted to go. You see it all the time, where a group of kids talk about going to audition camps, and when a couple people decide to bail, they all follow suit. Too many people miss out on great opportunities because they don’t want to (or are afraid to) do things alone. The best experiences happen outside of your comfort zone.

I’m very fortunate to have marched and taught with you!