By Lauren Collins

Reporter

The Drum Corps International, also known as DCI, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the junior drum corps activity. The Corps excels in marching music and performance. Joining one of these prestigious groups is a dream for many young marchers across the nation and at South.

There were one hundred and sixteen DCI events scheduled for the 2015 season alone. These events are open for people to purchase tickets and see the amazing performances.

While the Corps is higher-level, they do not look for talent as a top priority. A sense of maturity is needed from their members, as much time is spent from home and critique is often given. Passion and drive are also traits the Corps universally look for in their members. Being in shape is also something required of members because practices and performances are very rigorous.

The audition is usually held near each Corps’ base; however, exceptions may be made for recruits.

Emily Carriere, a senior at South and a member of the color guard, is one of the young people inspired to become a part of one of the champion Corps. Carriere plans to audition for Carolina Crown’s color guard in late November. Carolina Crown’s base is in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Carolina Crown was the 2013 world champion and a 2015 silver medalist. Carriere has dreamed of joining Carolina Crown for about three years.

“I think the experience could be truly life changing. I want to be a coach in the future and being a part of such an incredible organization could really help me grow in my skills and abilities,” Carriere said.

Carriere would be grateful for any spot on the color guard, but she hopes to be on the rifle line.

Senior Joey Carter also had hopes of expanding his music career by auditioning for the Phantom Regiment last year. The Phantom Regiment is based in Rockford, Illinois, and were originally named The Rockford Rangers. The Phantom Regiment has been a consecutive DCI World Championships Finalist every year since 1974 and won the championship in 1996 and 2008.

Carter said that he likes the Phantom Regiment’s shows, however that is not the only reason for his audition.

“I wanted to take a step further in music and play with new people,” Carter said.

Carter has been playing piano since first grade and other various percussion since sixth grade. He auditioned on the marimba and vibraphone, though he did not end up making the cut.

There are many other students at South who have dreams of belonging to such prestigious groups. Sophomore Kayla Smith said she wants to audition for the Blue Devils’ color guard after she graduates. The Blue Devils are based in Concord, California. The Blue Devils are a seventeen-time world champion, and the A-Corp has finished in the top five for the past thirty years.

Smith says she would like to someday go out for flag line and possibly rifle line.

“[The Blue Devils] are a very well run program, and I would love to be a part of a nationally-known organization dedicated to band and color guard,” Smith said.