Sacramento Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps

May 24-27 Memorial Weekend Corps Camp Schedule
Galt High School, 145 N. Lincoln Way, Galt, CA

Welcome to the Mandarins. We celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2013, our Golden Anniversary! We are glad you have chosen to take a look at our program.

Auditions for the 2013 Season, Handbook, and Forms

During the winter months we are conducting open auditions for all positions in the Mandarins. If you have an interest in marching for a World Class drum corps, you have found the right spot. This year we will be holding auditions in several locations, as follows:

Auditions will continue in January at both our Northern California and Southern California locations. If you are cannot attend one of these sessions, we allow you to submit an audition video through a DVD, YouTube, or other media. However, priority will be given to those attending rehearsals and camps. For detailed information as to what needs to be submitted on the video, please contact the appropriate Caption Manager. All video auditions must be submitted by Friday, January 18.

If there are questions of a more general nature, please contact Ron Munekawa, Staff Coordinator. Or, download and print our 2013 Membership Handbook and 2013 Membership Forms.

We have a fantastic program planned for our 50th anniversary. This year we will be touring Northern California, Southern California and then make our way across the entire United States. In total we are expecting to travel to over 25 states on our national tour.

As a member you will instantly become a family member of the Mandarins. You will eat, sleep, rehearse and travel with well over 100 of your new best friends. You will have a quality experience both on and off the field, enjoying some of the best food in the entire drum corps community.

Persons who are between 15 (as of December 1) and 21 (if you turn 22 on or after June 1, 2013, you are eligible for the 2013 season) are eligible to audition.

How Do I Sign Up to Audition? It's simple. Just follow the steps below:

1. Sign-up to register for auditions here:

2. Pay online here, for the audition location of your choice. Sacramento Overnight Camp is $40 and includes all meals. All other audition clinic locations are $20.

3. After you've paid online, your Caption Manager will contact you with an audition packet.

4. While we hightly encourage registering online, you may still register at the camp. If you pay at the door for the Sacramento Camp, the fee is $50 and you will not be able to review the audition materials in advance. Fees at the door may be paid in cash, check, or credit card.

What Happens if I am Offered Membership in the Mandarins? IMPORTANT!!! If you have been offered a position in the Corps you must take care of your paperwork and membership payments immediately. Please have your caption head initial the first page of your application. Complete all applications forms, with parent signatures where indicated. You will also need to show original (not photocopied) proof of date of birth and pay membership dues, uniform and shoe fees. The completed application must be given to our Personnel Manager, Yvette Ferreira at the camp registration desk.

2013 Membership packets (including the handbook and application forms) will be available at the pre-audition clinics, all camps and rehearsals, and are also downloadable. If you have any questions about the application process or fees, contact our Personnel Manager, Yvette Ferreira.

• A positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• All musicians: three ring binder with plastic sleeves and a pencil.
• Change of clothes for the weekend. Plan to dress in layers. It will be warm in the gym. Since we are in California, where the climate is good, we will also likely be outside, so you will need to have warm clothes for that as well.
• Comfortable marching shoes.
• Plastic drinking cup (note: all meals will be provided for the entire weekend).
• Sleeping bag, air mattress, pillow, toothbrush, toothpaste and other toiletries, towel, shower shoes or slippers.

Auditions will give the staff an idea of your music, marching, movement, and equipment handling skills. Think of your first rehearsal as a chair placement for an honor band rather than an "audition."

We will also be looking at several other factors, including:

• Positive attitude.
• Work ethic.
• Commitment to effort.
• Ability to focus and listen to directions.
• Ability to learn exercises.
• Ability to process information and instruction and apply it to exercises.
• Ability to handle constructive criticism in a positive manner.

In addition to an audition in a rehearsal setting, each prospective member will also be interviewed by the appropriate caption head.

Our marching member Code of Conduct can be found here. This will give you an idea of our organization's expectation for its members.

Oh yes, in case you think we forgot to mention this: enjoy yourself! Stay positive and don't lose sight of your goals and objectives. You are here because you enjoy doing this, and the staff does recognize your effort in coming to be here with us.

Commitment, dedication, and teamwork are the cornerstones of our organization. The Mandarins are rich with 49 years of tradition and pride. We encourage your participation, and look forward to seeing you soon.

“This is long overdue, but I just wanted to share my gratitude towards Mandarins and everyone that's involved in it. I feel blessed to have been part of something so special. I never thought that I'd be able to feel the way I did after quarterfinals/semifinals because I couldn't stop smiling after those shows. When you feel like giving up, just remember to hold your head up high and be proud of what you do. We've all literally poured our blood, sweat, and tears into this show. I've met the most amazing, talented, and kind hearted young adults. Although we've gone our separate ways, I'm constantly reminded that Mandarins will always be my home. I'm glad that I chose to age out with Mandarins, and I feel honored to be an alumni. I hope to see everyone again in the future. Until then, just remember...........GET IT! – Van Anh Tran”