Although drum corps is a primarily summer activity, we hold auditions in the winter and rehearsal camps once a month throughout the winter and spring. Here is a quick look at the tentative SOA 2012 audition, rehearsal, and tour dates. (all of these dates and times are subject to change)

Auditions

This year, SOA is holding auditions in Atlanta and Texas, as well as an audition information clinic to help individuals prepare for the Atlanta audition. All brass, percussion, and guard members must attend one of the audition camps (Nov. 20 in Texas or Dec. 9 – 11 in Atlanta). Advancing brass and percussion members will be asked to attend subsequent rehearsal camps; advancing guard members will be asked to attend the May 4 - 6 rehearsal camp. If you are unable to attend one of the audition dates, you must work out an alternative audition process with your caption head.

Atlanta Information Clinic
Sunday, Nov. 20, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Ola High School - 357 North Ola Road, McDonough, GA 30252 (map it)
Admission included with one-time $10 audition packet download fee and $75 registration fee

• The purpose of this clinic is to meet our staff, help you prepare musically and visually for your audition, and answer any questions you may have about drum corps and SOA. No auditions will take place at this event - you must attend the Texas Auditon or Atlanta Audition Camp. 

Texas Audition 
Sunday, Nov. 20, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Lake Travis High School, 3324 Ranch Road 620 South, Austin, TX 78738 (map it)
Admission included with one-time $10 audition packet download fee and $75 or $50 registration fee

• Individual auditions for brass, percussion, and guard will be held at this event (conductors must attend the Atlanta Audition Camp Dec. 9 - 11). Advancing brass and percussion members will be asked to attend the Jan. 13 - 15 rehearsal camp (and subsequent camps) in Atlanta; advancing guard members will be asked to attend the May 4 - 6 rehearsal camp in Atlanta.

Atlanta Audition Camp
Dec. 9 - 11 (8:00 PM Friday to 2:00 PM Sunday)
New Manchester High School, 4925 Hwy. 92/166, Douglasville, GA 30135 (map it)
*use 4856 Hwy. 92/166, Douglasville, GA 30135 for better accuracy on Google Maps
$75.00 camp fee plus $10 audition packet download fee and $75 or $50 registration fee

• Individual auditions for brass, percussion, guard, and conductor will be held at this event.
• The corps will stay overnight at the school and all meals will be provided
• Advancing brass and percussion members will be asked to attend subsequent rehearsal camps starting in January; advancing guard members will be asked to attend the May 4 - 6 rehearsal camp.

Rehearsal Camps

The remaining camps (Jan. through May) are rehearsal camps in which you learn the SOA fundamental approach to musicianship and movement, become better acquainted with staff and other members, and start learning the show material. After auditions, the remaining Atlanta area camps are:

Jan. 13 – 15 Brass & Percussion
Feb. 10 – 12 Brass & Percussion
Mar. 9 – 11 Brass & Percussion
Mar. 30 – Apr. 1 Brass & Percussion
May 4 – 6 Brass, Percussion, & Guard

The Atlanta Audition Camp and subsequent rehearsal camps last the entire weekend. All members and staff stay overnight at the rehearsal site (usually a local high school) and all meals are provided on site. A typical camp schedule is as follows:

Friday
6:00 Registration
8:00 Rehearsal
11:00 Snack
12:00 Lights out

Saturday
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 Music Rehearsal
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Visual Rehearsal
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Corps Meeting
7:30 Music Rehearsal
10:30 Snack
11:30 Lights out

Sunday
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 Rehearsal
12:00 Performance of the weekend’s work
12:30 Clean facility, pack, and load
2:00 Dismissed

All members of Spirit of Atlanta are expected to attend all required rehearsal camps for their section. We realize school-related performances and academically required events are priorities; however, absence from all or part of a camp must be approved by the director and your caption head no later than one week prior to camp. Work, extra-curricular activities, and/or social events are not acceptable excuses for missing camp. In the event of a conflict, members are expected to make an effort to attend at least part of the rehearsal camp when possible.

Spring Training & DCI National Tour

Spring Training usually begins sometime in the middle of May, either the weekend before Memorial Day or Memorial Day Weekend, and lasts until the middle of June when the corps leaves for tour. Spring Training is sometimes called “move-ins” or “everydays” because it is when the corps begins full-time rehearsal of the show everyday for four weeks. Similar to rehearsal camps, the staff and members sleep overnight at the facility, all meals are provided on site, and the schedule is demanding.

Members who still have school commitments at the beginning of Spring Training are required to meet the corps on the weekends until they are available to join the corps full-time. Once a member joins the corps for the summer, he/she must remain with the corps until the end of DCI Championships in early August.

Periodic breaks are scheduled for laundry, shopping trips to “re-stock” personal supplies, and occasional “free time” away from rehearsal. Members will receive a detailed summer schedule before leaving for tour in June and it will be posted online for the general public.

Only 150 individuals have the privilege of calling themselves a member of Spirit of Atlanta each year. Thus, membership in Spirit of Atlanta is a serious commitment. Fulfilling attendance obligations is as equally important as finances and performing and essential for the corps to operate at the highest level. Failure to comply with the attendance requirements may result in termination of membership.