2026
BRASS
PACKET
OUR MISSION
To inspire and develop lifelong excellence in young people through creative education and
exceptional opportunities in the performing arts. We achieve this through a commitment to
our core values of Integrity, Commitment, Respect, and Excellence.
OUR VISION
To exemplify artistry and innovation in the performing arts, to empower confident and
compassionate leaders and engaged global citizens, and to build and strengthen community
through the power of the Carolina Crown experience.
WEAR THE
CROWN.
CONGRATULATIONS ON TAKING THE
FIRST STEP TOWARD WEARING THE
CROWN!
The journey begins now. This audition packet contains the resources and information we use at Crown in our
quest for excellence. Many of these techniques and materials are used daily in rehearsals and have been
meticulously crafted over decades by the incredible team of educators at Carolina Crown.
We are thrilled that you’ve chosen Carolina Crown, and we look forward to meeting you at your first audition
camp soon! Now that you’ve registered, you have unlocked this packet, and additional video resources are
also available to you via your CrownDATA account! CrownDATA serves as the central hub for your
engagement with Crown. Check your application out often and ensure your account is updated. If you need
help, contact our office team, who can help guide you on your journey.
The Carolina Crown Experience is the most intense performing arts experience you’ve participated in. It will
challenge you both physically and mentally – and it will also reward you in ways you can’t begin to imagine.
Prepare to make memories and friends that will last a lifetime. We take great pride in our program and look
forward to our journey together! Thank you for choosing Carolina Crown. We will see you soon!
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A Letter from the Brass Team
Dear Carolina Crown Brass Candidate:
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become
the best that you are capable of becoming.” – John Wooden
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to Carolina Crown! This packet, a crucial tool in your audition
process, contains information about the Crown Brass Technique Program. It includes all the necessary
ensemble exercises and audition materials. Additional videos can be found online in your CrownDATA
account. We urge you to carefully read and prepare the material to the best of your ability before camp.
We take great pride in our brass section; membership in Carolina Crown is a privilege and an honor! The
expectations and responsibilities as a member of CrownBRASS are high. The most significant contribution
one can make to our ensemble is the willingness to sacrifice self-interest for the benefit of the group. A “team”
is only as strong as the loyalty of its members. The successful Crown Brass member internalizes and is
accountable for these basic expectations:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
A respect for the people that surround you
A trust in both the staff and members
A dedicated effort towards everything you do
A desire to work hard
A commitment to excellence
When rehearsed daily, these expectations can become part of a successful formula leading to your
membership in Crown and daily life! As you look at yourself and this upcoming season, make and keep
promises and goals to yourself and others. Ask yourself, “What do I want from this experience?” At the end
of every rehearsal, ask yourself, “What more could I have done to move better, play better, and make a
bigger difference? Am I doing what it takes to become the best I can be?”
Set your goals high and make them achievable. Carolina Crown has a tradition of excellence, where
standards grow each year. Based on this tradition, you must take pride in who you are and commit yourself
to being a part of a world-class organization. Remember, the Carolina Crown experience is not just about
being part of a world-class organization but also about personal growth and achieving your full potential.
Once again, we extend our warmest welcome to you. We are truly excited to have the opportunity to teach
you daily and witness your growth and development as a Carolina Crown Brass Ensemble member.
Sincerely,
Carolina Crown Brass Staff
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Auditioning at Carolina Crown
“There is no way I could be chosen for any drum corps; I am just not good enough.”
We hear this a lot. Our number one rule at Carolina Crown is don’t be afraid. Many talented individuals fail
to audition every year because they don’t believe themselves to be enough. Every position in every section
is open every year; past members will re-audition.
Here are the requirements for becoming a member of the Carolina Crown Brass Section:
TALENT - Your abilities on your instrument and your marching ability are critical in the selection process.
Seeing your development and improvement from camp to camp is equally essential. Our instructional staff
sets and judges this criterion. You will first be asked to play one or two exercises from this packet, so be sure
to familiarize yourself with all the exercises in this packet. NOTE: We want you to mark time as you play
these exercises. Your specific audition music is included in this packet.
ATTENDANCE - Attendance is required at all rehearsals and performances. Occasionally, school and family
conflicts may arise. For an absence to be “excused,” it must be communicated to the office before the camp.
All candidates and members who miss a camp MUST submit a recording of their “On-the-Move” assignment
via CrownDATA. *All “NO CALL – NO SHOW” members will be removed from the brass ensemble roster.
AUDITION - All students who register will be invited to attend the November Camp. If you cannot participate
in the November camp, you must submit a video of your audition via CrownDATA. Those who register after
the November camp must attend the next scheduled camp. If you cannot participate in that camp, you must
you must submit a video of your audition via CrownDATA.
ATTITUDE - As with any team sport, chemistry is essential for success; the same applies to the Carolina
Crown Brass Section. Our brass section will consist of students who will do whatever it takes to make it great.
It will be enjoyable to be a part of this brass section as long as 100% of the members work as hard as
possible, are highly positive, and support the staff and, more importantly, each other.
HEALTH - Remaining healthy is very important in drum corps. You must be physically capable of
withstanding the requirements of rehearsals, performances, and travel. If you have any questions about the
physical requirements of the program, please call our office.
FEES / TUITION – Your account status will directly impact your membership in the corps. Without fees and
tuition, we could not operate as a drum corps. Fees make up just a tiny portion of the funds needed to run
an organization of this size.
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You must keep your finances up to date if you expect to march!
Always be mindful of your account, and never be afraid to call the Crown office if you have questions. Always
get problems out in the open early rather than deal with them later. Doing so will allow you more time to
assess the situation and find a solution.
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Your Brass Audition
At the November camp, you will be asked to perform a live audition for members of the brass staff. If you
cannot attend the November camp, you must submit a video of your audition via CrownDATA of these
audition excerpts. Your brass audition will consist of the following:
● ETUDE #1 - A lyrical excerpt of your choosing. This excerpt should range from 45-90 seconds and
demonstrate your greatest slow and lyrical playing.
● ETUDE #2 - A technical excerpt of your choosing. This excerpt should again range from 45-90
seconds and demonstrate your greatest technical abilities, such as articulation, multiple tonguing,
finger abilities, etc.
● A LIP-SLUR (ON THE MOVE) - Perform a lip-slur of your choosing while marching a simple box drill
at quarter note = 152. You may choose from lip-slurs in the exercise part of this packet (2-Note Lip
Slur, 3-Note Lip Slur, Quarters Low, etc.).
Once you are finished playing, you will have a short conversation with various members of the brass staff.
Before you leave the room, the brass staff will communicate with you about where you stand with the group
and with part assignments. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask! Before entering the
audition room, ensure your instrument is in good working condition. Face your bell off to the side of the
people listening to you while you are playing. Always ask questions if you do not understand something.
We want to stress that the audition process does NOT end after the audition camp. Most final decisions for
the Crown Brass Section will be made on or before February Camp. Preparation, improvement, attitude,
attendance, section ranking, marching ability, and physical condition will be the determining factors for
awarding a spot in the group.
“Audition nerves are something that everyone goes through. It’s okay! Something I always thought about
when I would have to play in front of a group or for anyone in an audition was to put up my horn and play.
Don’t worry about who you’re playing for, why, or what it means. Remember you know what you’re doing when
playing your horn or marching the exercise. Just put up your horn and play. Do what you do.” – Matt Harloff
Equipment
TRUMPET - If possible, please bring your trumpet to the first 2-3 camps. A set of trumpets will be available
to check out during camps, but a limited number will be available. Corps trumpets will never be available for
checkout in between camps. Bring your mouthpiece to all camps and to summer move-in.
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MELLOPHONE - If possible, please bring an F Mellophone to the first 2-3 camps. A set of mellophones will
be available for checkout during camps, but a limited number will be available. After the January camp, corps
mellophones will be available to check out for in-between camps ONLY IF your financial account is current
on CrownDATA. You are welcome to audition on a concert horn (you must bring your own instrument).
However, you will be asked to perform on a marching mellophone at some point during the audition process.
You are responsible for bringing your own mouthpiece to all camps and to summer move-in.
BARITONE / EUPHONIUM - If possible, please bring a marching baritone/euphonium to the first 2-3 camps.
A set of baritones and euphoniums will be available for check out during camps, but a limited number will be
available. After the January camp, corps baritones and euphoniums will be available to check out for inbetween camps ONLY IF your financial account is up to date on CrownDATA. You are welcome to audition
on a concert euphonium or trombone (you must bring your instrument). However, you will be asked to perform
on a marching baritone or euphonium at some point during the audition process. Bring your own mouthpiece
to all camps and to summer move-in.
TUBA - If possible, please bring a marching tuba or sousaphone to at least the first 2-3 camps. A set of
marching tubas will be available for check out during camps, but a limited number will be available. Corps
tubas will never be available for check out in between camps. You are welcome to audition on a concert tuba
- you must bring your own instrument. However, you will be asked to perform on a marching tuba at some
point during the audition process. Bring your own mouthpiece to all camps and to summer move-in.
MOUTHPIECES - To achieve the most uniform section sounds, Crown usually requires you to purchase a
specific mouthpiece while playing in the corps. You ARE NOT required to buy these mouthpieces for the
audition. If you are selected to be a member of the brass line, you MUST purchase the specified mouthpiece.
Information about the mouthpiece we will use will come at one of the future camps.
Important Rehearsal Materials
Brass Ensemble members are responsible for having the following materials at ALL rehearsals:
THREE-RING BINDER - This binder contains all music handouts in organized clear sheet protectors. It should
include all of the information you need.
PENCIL - Every brass ensemble member must always have a pencil. Notes should be taken at every
rehearsal, especially when rehearsing with the arrangers. Write EVERYTHING down!
GLOVES - These must be worn when handling a Carolina Crown instrument. You will go through many pairs
of gloves during the season. Your gloves must remain in good condition and should be replaced as necessary.
Gloves that are dirty or contain holes are never acceptable.
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BLACK TOWEL - Your Carolina Crown instrument is always in one of three places: in your hand, the line on
the ground, or its case. The black towel protects your instrument when placed on hard surfaces, especially
outdoor rehearsals. Bring a normal-sized hand towel if you are auditioning on trumpet, mellophone, or
baritone. For tubas, bring a black bath-sized towel.
BASEBALL CAP - This will be worn when rehearsing outdoors. Hats are required to shade your face, eyes,
and chops. They are optional when rehearsing indoors.
TENNIS SHOES / TRAINERS - Movement will occur at all rehearsals, so tennis shoes are always required.
Sandals, shower shoes, flip-flops, etc. are never acceptable.
CLOTHING - You must wear clothing that will allow you to perform excessive movement, such as sweats,
shorts, t-shirts, etc. NO JEANS!!! Again, movement will occur at all rehearsals.
TUNER/METRONOME - Every person must have a tuner and metronome, or tuner-metronome combo. NO
PHONES!!!
WATER JUGS - Each brass ensemble member is required to have a BLUE 1-GALLON COLEMAN WATER
JUG.
BREATHING TUBES - A PVC valve that we use with breathing exercises. This item can be purchased at
Home Depot, Lowe’s, and most hardware stores for around $3.
High-brass – 1/2 inch diameter
Baritones/Euphonium – 3/4-inch diameter
Tuba – 1-inch diameter
Responsibilities Between Camps
MUSICAL AND VISUAL RESPONSIBILITIES - The brass and visual staff may assign you specific
responsibilities to prepare by the next camp. Section Facebook assignment videos will be uploaded. These
are required and must be completed on time and at the highest level.
PHYSICAL RESPONSIBILITIES - The trainer and visual staff will give you specific physical responsibilities
to complete by camp. Being in shape is required to be in the Carolina Crown Brass section. You must be not
only fit but also strong. You need to focus primarily on the core and leg muscles. Running is always an
excellent place to start, but you must also do exercises to strengthen your legs and core.
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COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES - Communication is vital to the success between camps. You must
communicate with your section leader, section teacher, caption head, and the crown office. If you need to
miss any part of the camp, you must tell each of those people.
CROWN OFFICE RESPONSIBILITY - You must be current with all your forms and payments. You must
communicate if there is an issue with any of the documentation or payments. Overcommunicating to the
office is better than not communicating.
TOO BUSY TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS - No, you are not. All assignments are required, and your spot
may be revoked if completed at a low level.
Check out the video resource library on your
CrownDATA account for additional information and
technique instruction.
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Crown Brass Technique Exercises
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