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! Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 2 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 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 3 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. Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 4 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. Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 5 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. Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 6 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. Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 7 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. Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 8 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. Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 9 Crown Brass Technique Exercises Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 10 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 11 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 12 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 13 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 14 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 15 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 16 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 17 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 18 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 19 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 20 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 21 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 22 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 23 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 24 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 25 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 26 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 27 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 28 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 29 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 30 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 31 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 32 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 33 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 34 Carolina Crown Brass Audition Packet 35
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