Auditions for the upcoming season begin in December. Although we encourage in-person auditions, video auditions are available for those with extenuating circumstances.

Yes, all students stay on-site at our camp housing site (typically this is Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN). This is considered the Music City home base during our 3 day camps. The campus is closed, meaning no student is allowed to leave campus once they have arrived unless there is an emergency or pre-arranged with Music City Admin.

Much like when we tour during the summer, members will be sleeping on the gym floor, showering in the school locker rooms, and eating from the cook truck during the audition camp experience.

3 Day Camp Experience

Clothing (comfortable to move around in)

- Shirts (2-3)

- Bottoms (2-3)

- Athletic Shoes

- Socks (2-3 pairs)

- Jacket/hoodie (can be cold winter nights during camp)

- Sleepwear

Hygiene

- Toothbrush

- Toothpaste

- Hairbrush

- Deodorant

- Hair ties (if needed)

- Glasses/contact lens case (if needed)

- Chapstick

Shower

- Towel

- Body wash

- Shampoo/conditioner

- Shower shoes (flip flops, slides, etc.)

Rehearsal

- Binder with music

- Pencils/pens/highlighters

- Mouthpiece (brass performers)

- Instrument (brass instrument if you’re able to transport it, battery performers should bring a practice pad & sticks)

- Valve oil/slide grease (brass performers)

- Earplugs

- Gloves

- Water jug

Bedding

- Bed (sleeping bag, air mattress, cot, etc.) (cots only allowed during audition camps, not on tour.)

- Blankets/sleeping bag

- Pillow

Misc.

- Phone charger

- Extension cable

- Medications (if needed)

Yes, Music City provides airport shuttles to and from BNA for all participants. Typically a week before the camp an email is sent to all participants signed up with a 2024 Travel Form that would need to be filled out to request a pick up. This form should be filled out for each trip made in/out of BNA.

As an auditioning participant you are notified by your respective caption head regarding your status. You will then receive an email from our office with additional information related to your status. Contracted participants will receive their official 2024 contract and additional forms to be filled out and callback members will receive additional information regarding the next camp. Contracted members will also receive a membership dues invoice via email.

Once auditions begin and contracts are offered, we post announcements on social media if we have spots available. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.

Once we have audition dates scheduled, we will post the information.

This was the time commitment for the 2025 season:

Pre-Season Audition Camp Experiences in the Nashville, TN area.

December 6-8, full corps auditioning

January 17-19, full corps

February 21-23, brass only

March 21-23, brass only

April 25-27, full corps

Why do we not see the full corps each month? This is due to the WGI indoor season (guard and percussion primarily). High School and independent groups have rehearsal and competition weekly during this time frame.

Music City then moves into spring training at the end of May / early June, at which time your contracted member will be with Music City until August 12, 2024.

Music City is not requiring Covid-19 vaccinations for the 2024 season at this time. To be in line with most other competing drum corps organizations, we are strongly encouraging vaccinations due to the nature of how we travel and share communal spaces. While on tour, if a member were to test positive any additional cost of quarantining (based off of CDC guidelines at that time) could be passed on to that member and their family.

The operational cost of a world-class drum corps add up very quickly. Dues go to cover items such as equipment, props, fleet, food, instruction, housing, fuel, costumes and medical cost, etc. Music City’s membership dues will be $5400, remaining on the lower end in the activity.

Music City participants must pay Member Dues in full the corps’ move in date.

Deposit Due with Contract: $800

March 1 - $1150

April 1 - $1150

May 1 $1150

June 1 - $1150

Music City offers two scholarship opportunities for participants each year. 2024 scholarship information will be released soon.

DCI also provides a number of scholarship opportunities through their website www.dci.org/static/scholarships

Unfortunately, there are no refunds available for audition registrations. We will try to accommodate you at another event by transferring your registration there. You just need to email us at office@musiccityyouth.org.

Yes! Each year, we have a special parent Facebook group where parents can ask questions of each other and where we post information specific to parents and guardians.

This group is for parents and guardians only. You are more than welcome to invite your friends and family to join our Music City Friends and Family Facebook group.

Please email us at office@musiccityyouth.org with your questions and we will be happy to answer them!

Between the ages of 16 to 21.