The Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps are looking forward to celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2013! Please contact the appropriate caption for audition information if you're unable to find what you need in the website.

2013 Audition and Camp Date Information

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

Friday, 5/24  
5:30 pm Registration, paperwork, payments.
6:00 Unload and set-up, line fields.
7:00 - 10:45 Sectionals/ensemble.
10:45 Announcements.
11:00 Snack, showers.
Midnight Lights out.
   
Saturday, 5/25  
7:30 am Wake up.
7:45 - 9:00 Full corps stretch and conditioning with Chris Huebschle,
  end with timed mile run, pit sectional.
9:00 - 10:00 Breakfast, showers, registration, paperwork, payments.
10:00 - 1:00 pm Sectionals, brass visual.
1:00 - 2:00 Lunch.
2:00 - 5:30 Brass, battery and guard drill on the field. Battery will be on their
  own until 4:30 pm, then join guard and brass on main field.
5:30 - 6:30 Dinner.
6:30 - 7:30 Music warm up, guard sectional.
7:30 - 9:20 Full corps music (including pit) and drill on the field.
9:20 Runthrough.
9:30 Leave field, go inside.
9:45 Field lights off.
9:45 - 10:45 Sectional/ensemble work.
10:45 Announcements.
11:00 Snack, showers.
Midnight (tent.) Lights out.
   
Sunday, 5/26  
7:45 am Wake up.
8:00 - 9:00 Full corps stretch and movement with guard staff.
9:00 - 10:00 Breakfast, showers, registration, paperwork, payments.
10:00 - 1:00 pm -- Pit sectional, battery sectional.
  -- Guard, brass - basics/sectionals until 11:30,
  then 11:30 - 1:00 pm drill.
1:00 - 2:00 Lunch.
2:00 - 5:00 Brass, battery and guard drill on the field. Battery will be on
  their own until 4:00 pm, then join buard and brass on main field.
5:00 - 6:30 Dinner, Full Staff Meeting.
6:30 - 7:30 Music warm up, guard sectional.
7:30 - 9:20 Full corps music (including pit) and drill on the field.
9:20 Runthrough.
9:30 Leave field, go inside.
9:45 Field lights off.
9:45 - 10:45 Sectional/ensemble work.
10:45 Announcements.
11:00 Snack, showers.
Midnight (tent.) Lights out.
   
Monday, 5/27  
8:00 am Wake up, shower, breakfast, registration and paperwork.
9:00 - 10:30 Stretch, conditioning and basics. Pit sectional until noon.
10:30 - 12:00 -- Brass and guard on the field -- drill review.
  -- Battery and pit sectionals.
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch and pack up.
1:00 - 4:00 1:00-2:00 - Music warm up, guard sectional.
  2:15-3:15 - Full corps (including pit) and drill on the
  field, get percussion and brass ensemble together.
  3:15-3:30 - Field/music of runthrough of opener.
  3:30-4:00 - Music ensemble (in arc).
4:00 - 5:00 Announcements, clean up.
5:00 pm Last clean up down, everything loaded, dismissal.
   

Welcome

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:

Sacramento (Elk Grove)
Harris Middle School
8691 Power Inn Rd
Elk Grove, CA

Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November 25, 2012


All sections (overnight camp). See the camp schedule here.



Kentucky
Murray State University
Fine Arts Bldg, 3rd floor
Corner 5th & Olive St.
Murray, KY

Saturday, December 1, 2012




Brass and Color Guard. Video auditions will take place from 12:00-5:00 pm, and the warm-up rooms/practice rooms will be open at 11:30 am.

Southern California
Alhambra High School
101 S 2nd St.
Alhambra, CA

Sunday, December 9, 2012



Brass & Color Guard. Registration at 9:00 am. Auditions/workshops 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.


Southern California
Arcadia High School
180 Campus Drive
Arcadia, CA

Sunday, December 16, 2012



Percussion. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Details tba



Hawaii
University of Hawaii
D. Kahananui Wing
2500 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI
Sunday, December 16, 2012



All sections. Registration at 11:00 am. Video auditions 12:00 - 4:00 pm.



Hawaii
Maui High School
660 S. Lono Avenue
Kahului, HI


Wednesday, December 19, 2012




Guard and Brass video auditions, 2:00 pm




Southern California
Arcadia High School
180 Campus Drive
Arcadia, CA





Sunday, Jan 20, 2013








Percussion Auditions, 8:00 am








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.

Our Program

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.

What Do I Need to Bring to the Sacramento Camp?
  • 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.
What Are You Looking For When I Audition?

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.

2013 Camp Schedule:
2013 Camp Schedule (locations to be announced)
Camp Date Details Location
November 24 & 25, 2012

Audition Camp - Full Corps

Harris Middle School
Elk Grove, CA
December 1

Auditions - Brass & Guard

Murray State Univ
Kentucky
December 9

Auditions: Brass & Guard

Alhambra High School
Southern CA
December 16

Auditions: Brass & Guard

University of Hawaii
Hawaii
December 16

Auditions: Percussion

Arcadia High School
Arcadia, CA
December 19

Auditions: Brass & Guard

Maui High School
Kahului, HI
January 19 & 20, 2013
Auditions: Brass & Guard Pinkerton Middle Sch
Elk Grove, CA
January 20

Auditions: Percussion

Arcadia High School
Arcadia, CA
February 16 & 17

Brass

Pinkerton Middle Sch
Elk Grove, CA
February 17

Percussion

Arcadia High School
Arcadia, CA
March 23 & 24

Brass

Pinkerton Middle Sch
Elk Grove, CA
April 26 - 28 Full corps - all camps full corps after this date Sacramento area
May 24 - 27   Galt, CA
May 31 - June 2   Sacramento area
June 7 - 15 Training Camp Week 1 Sacramento area
June 17 - 23 Training Camp Week 2 Sacramento area
     

NOTE: All camps are overnight camps in the Sacramento/Stockton area unless otherwise noted. Meals and lodging are provided.

All-day rehearsals in the Sacramento area: June 4 - 6, 2013

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”