Hello all!

As I’m sure you have heard, the drum corps community is facing drastic hardships in preparation for the 2023 competitive season. DCI member corps, including world class Santa Clara Vanguard, open class corps Legends and Shadow, have all faced irreparable damage to their organizations. National inflation has led to SCV and Legends choosing not to field a corps for 2023, and unfortunately led to Shadow closing its doors.

The Board of Directors at Buchanan High School would like to extend their heartfelt support as these organizations move forward. We are deeply saddened by the gaps these incredible groups will leave on the activity in the summer of 2023, and as such, would like to extend a hand to anyone looking for a home for the season 110 FMA Tour, beginning Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Buchanan High School will resume with a SINGLE SEASON OF OPERATION to assist those still looking to march. Audition packets and fees for the January ‘23 Rehearsal Camp will be waived for any and all new members or prospective members of SCV, Legends, or Shadow.

The January Rehearsal Camps will be held on the following dates on the campus of Buchanan High School, in preparation for the January ‘23 Tour. Contracts to participate with the Spirit of Bucktown Drum Corps can be offered or rescinded at any time at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

1.11-1.12 (2-Day; Brass, Percussion, Drum Majors)
9am-9pm Wednesday
10am-6pm Thursday

1.13 (1-Day; All Sections including Drum Majors)
9am-9pm

1.14-1.15 (2-Day; Brass, Percussion, Color Guard)
9am-9pm Saturday
10am-6pm Sunday

Final corps roster will be set on Sunday, January 15, 2023, with winter training and contests expected to begin for the corps on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

All meals for rehearsal camps (1 and 2 day camps) will be provided by the Buchanan High School Performing Arts Association, but each auditionee should bring their own instrument and equipment (if possible), and all other materials for rehearsal; including a binder and pencils (all sections), sticks, mallets, stick tape, practice pads, drums (if possible) (percussion), flag on a 6’ pole, rifle/tape, hair ties (guard), mouthpieces, instrument maintenance tools (valve oil, slide grease, etc.), white gloves, instrument, and a small PVC tube for breathing exercises (about 2 inches thick, and 2 inches long) (brass).

The BHSPAA will have a limited supply of brass and percussion equipment on site, please let us know in advance if you need to use our equipment at camp.

All performers attending a 2-day camp must bring shower and sleeping gear as you will be sleeping on the gym floor at the high school.

Drum major and conductor auditionees should bring a met (if possible), and a score from their high school’s previous marching band program. We will be covering general tips and tricks throughout the audition process based off the score you present us with. **NOTE: The score you audition with does NOT further improve your chances of being contracted** In other words, auditionees who present more difficult scores will be judged the same as those with less difficult scores.

The only event that will be hosted by the BHSPAA will be the Cavalcade of Brass in the drum corps circuit.

The Buchanan High School Buck Marching Band, BHS Independent, and Indoor Buckline will continue their indefinite cease of operation, as well as the events they put on each season, including:

MCBA State Championships
Cavalcade of Drums and Colors

Hope to see you all with us this winter, looking forward to a great month of drum corps, and as always, GO BUCKS!