Dear Parent,
Your child is about to embark on a hard and rigorous, yet rewarding and fulfilling musical and performing journey. Joining a Drum Corps International ensemble - corps - is not an easy process. While simultaneously balancing schools; friend; extra-curricular activities; chores; and a job/volunteer events, your child will be perfecting their audition materials in hopes of earning a contract of membership.
Each year, thousands of students from the ages of 14-21 are preparing for auditions to be amongst one of DCI’s corps. Earning a position in a corps is hard work, and the work after that is even harder. Your child will continue to balance their life with the expectation of continuing to work on both musical and visual video assignments from corps educational teams to prepare them for the summer months. In addition to these assignments, there a monthly camps to check-in on progress and to give the next bit on content in preparation for the summer.
Upon move-in day, your child then does drum corps each and every day for upwards of 14 hours a day, perfecting their craft in preparation for the DCI Summer National Tour - a journey of thousands of miles performing and competing across the country in a caravan of charter buses; equipment semi trailers; food trailers; box trucks; medical and media mini-vans; and hopes of performing more than once in Lucas Oil Stadium.
This journey is not easy, but it’s so transformative and positive for any young student to do.
I hope that you are your child make the decision to pursue one of the many open positions at River City Rhythm Drum and Bugle Corps.
Best Wishes,
Jordon Pinchback
Corps Director
Parent Testimonials
“DCI is a huge part of our family. Mia had the best time at RCR being taught and growing as both a performer and person. From local parades to Lucas Oil Stadium, Mia did it all with RCR feeling safe, seen, and cared for furthering her growth and ability to learn. We can't wait for Mia to come back and do it again!”
- Maria Hodge
Alumni Testimonials
“When I joined RCR in 2016, I did not realize what a large part of my life this organization would become. I met some of my longest-standing friends here. I learned what it means to dedicate yourself fully to something, through the good, the bad, and the in-between. Almost 10 years later I am still involved with the organization that gave me the education and experience I needed to push myself to new limits. It is such a joy to give back to the place that gave me so much!”
- Elise Borman
“RCR is home. A place where I know I’m always welcome and a place where I know I can be authentically myself. I never thought marching drum corps would be possible as a flute player who’s disabled, but RCR gave me that chance. I met my closest friends I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. I learned musical skills, perseverance, resiliency, personal wellness, teamwork, and so much more. There isn’t enough space in the world to truly write just how much RCR has helped me, but I know I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without these experiences.”
- Kazper Rude