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Blue

Knights

EXPERIENCE

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find your passion
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Find your home.

Join us for our 2024 BKX events.  Whether you want to audition for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps or just want to experience what it’s like to perform at a world class level, we’re waiting for you.

 BKX 24 – COMING SOON

The Blue Knights Experience is THE way for you to learn, connect, interact, and engage with the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. If you want to be a Blue Knights member in 2022, BKX is the beginning of your journey. If you want a deep exploration into the philosophy that drives the Blue Knights technique and pedagogy, BKX is that exclusive opportunity. And if you want to grow as an individual, a leader, and form life-long connections with a community, you can find your home with Blue Knights.

Become a Blue Knight

Join the BKXperience and begin your journey to becoming a Blue Knight.

Blue Knights in Show

FAQ

Auditions

How do auditions work?

We hold 3-day weekend BKXperience-audition camps in November and December in Denver, and several 1-day BKXperience-audition clinics at locations outside of Colorado! We select our membership based on each individual’s talent, attitude, attendance, and ability to meet financial obligations. Our staff evaluates potential members individually, as well as in group rehearsal settings, and all returning members are required to re-audition alongside new auditionees so that equal consideration can be given to all candidates.

Once you’re registered to audition, you will be given access to the “DOT BOOK” for your section – our packet with the educational breakdown of our technique, and the audition material you’ll need to learn! Before attending your first clinic or camp, you’ll want to take the time to go through the Dot Book and make sure you understand the technique and can perform the required audition material.

After reading through the Dot Book, the breakdown of how clinics and camps work for each section are listed below:

Brass, Percussion, Color Guard

For brass, percussion, and color guard auditionees, all listed auditions are part of a two-step process. The November and December BKXperience clinics and camps are designed to both introduce you to and allow you to audition for the drum corps. It is highly recommended (though not mandatory) that prospective members attend more than one of the clinics and camps offered in November and December to increase your exposure to our instructors and materials. Several membership contracts will be awarded at our Denver December camp, and auditions for remaining spots will continue into January. Members who are accepted into the corps should plan on attending the training camps in January and April. There is an additional training camp in February and March for brass.

Drum Major

Anyone looking to audition for a position as a Blue Knights drum major or who just wants to gain experience by going through the process should plan on attending both the Denver November and December Camps and must attend the Denver November camp. The BKXperience 3-Day Camp in Denver in November is open to anyone interested, and is the first round of the selection process. Participants at the November camp will work closely with current Blue Knights drum majors, learn and practice our conducting technique, share leadership experiences, and get several hours of instruction and discussion with our staff. All drum major participants will receive feedback. Those interested in auditioning will also go through an interview with our staff at the November camp. A number of exceptional candidates will be invited back to the December 3-Day Camp in Denver for the final round of selections.

How do I become a Blue Knight?

In order to become a Blue Knight, you will need to go through our audition process by attending our BKXperience clinics/camps. In addition to our 3-day BKXperience camps in Denver, 1-day BKXperience clinics are located in many different areas of the country to make it easier and more accessible for you to audition! During a BKXperience clinic, you will meet and learn from our world-class instructional staff and receive feedback on your showcased performance abilities. You will find out whether our staff believes you are a good candidate to continue to audition as a call back in December and/or January, in Denver. Auditionees who are chosen for a membership position may be required to attend subsequent winter training camps in Denver, Colorado which occur once a month in December, January, February, March, and April.

Where do I register to audition?

Go here to register!

How much are audition/event fees?

BKXperience 1-Day Clinic
$100 Before October 22nd
$125 After October 22nd
$150 Day of Event

BKXperience 3-Day Camp
$150 2+ weeks before camp
$175 One week before day of event

All fees and camp/clinic registrations are non-refundable. In some cases, we may be able to transfer a fee or registration to another instrument or event.

Were some events cancelled?

Yes. In order to make our auditions even more accessible, we offered virtual auditions.  We felt it was best to remove some events in favor of a virtual option. All clinics and virtual audition have ended for the 2024 auditioning process.

What can I do to improve my chances of making the Blue Knights?

Simply put, we select our membership based on each individual’s talent, attitude, attendance, and ability to meet financial obligations. You can maximize your chances of making the Blue Knights by attending our audition camps and by being able to demonstrate your performance capabilities, a desire to learn, and that you can fulfill our membership criteria.

Each year, many potential members who could have made the corps cut themselves after just one camp, or even before their first camp. Auditioning for a drum corps can be intimidating, and we know that. We take a lot of pride in and have put a lot of work into our inviting, friendly, and supportive environment. If you want to become a member of the Blue Knights, know that we truly look forward to meeting you and helping you find a plan to make that happen.

Can I send in a video audition?

Virtual auditions closed on February 29th, 2024.  Thank to those who auditioned.

Do you have Drum Major Auditions?

Yes! Anyone looking to audition for a position as a Blue Knights drum major or who just wants to gain experience by going through the process should plan on attending both the Denver November and December Camps. The BKXperience 3-Day Camp in Denver in November is open to anyone interested, and is the first round of the selection process. Those auditioning for drum major must attend the November camp in Denver. Participants at the November camp will work closely with current Blue Knights drum majors, learn and practice our conducting technique, share leadership experiences, and get several hours of instruction and discussion with our staff. All drum major participants will receive feedback. Those interested in auditioning will also go through an interview with our staff at the November camp. A number of exceptional candidates will be invited back to the December 3-Day Camp in Denver for the final round of selections.

How old do I have to be? Is there an age limit?

Due to the age limit in place across all open and world class DCI corps, in order to be a member of the Blue Knights you must be no older than 21 years old. If you are currently 21, you may become a member so long as your 22nd birthday is on or after June 1st of 2024.

While most people who march for the Blue Knights are not younger than 16 years old, we recommend anyone interested come to the BKXperience clinics or camps to learn more about what is expected. It is also a chance to see how the Blue Knights operate, as well as a chance for our staff to get to know you!

How many openings are there this year?

All positions of brass, percussion, color guard, and drum major are open. All returning members are required to re-audition alongside new auditionees, so we can give equal consideration to all candidates.

How much is tuition for 2024?

The cost of participating in a world class drum and bugle corps is an expensive endeavor, and the Blue Knights strive to keep our costs as low as possible. The cost of tuition is currently at $5,200. We offer a discount to our veteran members, which is $400, bringing tuition cost to $4,800.

Member Tuition covers the cost of participation in the drum corps, including spring training housing and meals, airport shuttle transportation, national tour transportation and meals, instruction, equipment, uniforms, member wear, shoes, logistics, and administrative support. On average, our member tuition covers only around 50% of the total cost of each season. We cover the rest of the cost of the season with grants, fundraising, and donations.

If you have questions about fees, please feel free to contact our office: [email protected]

Being able to meet the commitment of member tuition is one factor in becoming a Blue Knight. Have a plan in place during auditions for when you are offered a contract!

Are there ways to reduce the tuition fee?

Yes, there are a variety of ways to reduce your membership fees! Financial assistance in the form of scholarships are available every year from Ascend Performing Arts, and are based upon need. There are numerous other scholarships available from DCI and other organizations as well. Each year Ascend Performing Arts provides several scholarships, and this assistance for each individual can easily add up to $500 or more. There will be additional information and policies available in the membership contract, including information on how you can acquire your own sponsorships, which will be provided once you are accepted into the Blue Knights as a member.

Camp/Clinic Events

What do I need for a BKXperience 3-Day camp?

Aside from your rehearsal gear and paying your audition fee and camp fee, you should have sleeping gear (sleeping bag, air mattress, etc.), toiletries, a water jug and anything else you will need for an overnight stay. We will have showers available at the camp location as well; two of the most often forgotten items when packing for camp are a towel and shower shoes (flip-flops, crocs, etc.)! Your camp fee will cover all of your meals during the weekend:

Friday: Snack
Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack
Sunday: Breakfast, Lunch

BRASS
You will need a three ring binder with plastic page protectors, two pencils, your own mouthpiece, a pair of gloves for playing a corps horn, a water jug, and athletic shoes with clothing that permits movement. Please also bring a black towel proportionate to the size of your horn for when we set the instruments down on the ground. If possible, you should bring your own horn for audition camps as we only have a limited number of corps instruments available. For all auditions, you may play on your concert horn (trombone, french horn, c-tuba, etc.). If you opt to play your audition on your concert horn, you will be asked to play something on a corps instrument during your audition just to see how smooth the transition might be.

PERCUSSION
You will need sticks and/or mallets, a water jug, and athletic shoes with clothing that permits movement. Percussion instruments will be provided. Battery auditionees are highly encouraged to bring a practice pad if available.

COLOR GUARD
You will need guard gloves, a water jug, and athletic shoes with clothing that permits movement. Flags will be provided, but we will have limited weapons and you should bring your own if possible!

Questions? Contact [email protected]

What do I need for a BKXperience 1-Day clinic?

Since the BKXperience 1-Day clinics are only part of one day, less is required to participate! Aside from paying your clinic fee, see below for the list of needed items for each section.

BRASS
You will need your own mouthpiece, a water jug, and athletic shoes with clothing that permits movement. At 1-day clinics, please bring your own horn. For all auditions, you may play on your concert horn (trombone, french horn, c-tuba, etc.). If you opt to play your audition on your concert horn, you will be asked to play something on a corps instrument during your audition just to see how smooth the transition might be.

PERCUSSION
You will need sticks and/or mallets, a water jug, and athletic shoes with clothing that permits movement. Percussion instruments will be provided. Battery auditionees and applicable front ensemble auditionees are highly encouraged to bring a practice pad if available.

COLOR GUARD
You will need guard gloves, a water jug, and athletic shoes with clothing that permits movement. Flags will be provided, but you should bring your own weapon(s) if possible!

May my parents come to a BKXperience camp or clinic event?

Parents are more than welcome to join our team of volunteers either cooking meals or working on equipment during a camp! Parents should use the camp volunteer signup on our Current Volunteer Requests page.  At 3-day camps in Denver, there will be a welcome meeting at the beginning of each camp followed by a parent-specific meeting.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

We do ask that you bring your own equipment if you can, because of the number of people that will be auditioning. Brass players should bring an appropriate instrument if possible (or at least their mouthpiece). Percussion participants do not need to bring any instruments, just sticks/mallets and a practice pad. Color guard participants should bring their own weapon(s), but will be provided with flags. Once you become a member of the corps, we will supply you with all of the equipment you’ll need.

What do I do about eating before a camp?

You should try to eat before any 3-day camp on Friday. However, there are usually snacks and drinks set out after a camp begins.
At our 1-day clinics, there will be a break for lunch where food will be provided (typically pizza).

When does a 3-day BKXperience camp typically start and end?

Typically, our 3-day camps in Denver start with a welcome meeting around 7pm on Friday, and end around 4pm on Sunday.

When does a 1-day BKXperience camp start and end?

Our 1-day clinics start with a welcome meeting at 10:00am and end at 4:30pm. Check-in at the clinic will open at about 9:30am. There will be a break for lunch in the middle of the clinic, where food will be provided (typically pizza).

Is there a shuttle from Denver International Airport to camp?

Yes there is! We will provide scheduled transportation to and from the airport. Please notify us of your flight arrangements at least one week in advance by filling out this online form with your travel itinerary. 
-All flights should be scheduled to arrive in Denver before 6:00 pm on Friday as best as possible.
-All return flights (out of Denver) should be scheduled after 6:30 pm to allow time to arrive at the airport. This is not always feasible, but is the ideal case.
-For pick up, proceed from baggage claim to DOOR 404W on the passenger pick-up level of the West terminal.
-You must complete the online form no later than one week prior to your arrival.
NOTE: Transportation requests made after the Wednesday before camp cannot guarantee that we will be able to pick you up. Shuttle transportation is only available for Denver camps.

For any special needs or questions regarding travel, please contact us at [email protected]

What do I do if I arrive late to a camp?

Please check-in at registration before going to audition/rehearsal. If you arrive later than that you must check-in at the next meal of the camp, or contact us at [email protected]

I have a specific question about accommodations at camp not answered here, where can I ask?

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help answer any questions or discuss accommodations!

Blue Knights Fall Camps and Clinics

BKX Calendar

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