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FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Dear Prospective Member,

Thanks for expressing interest in our 12-time World Championship Finalist drum corps, committed to excellence in education and performance. Our goal is to provide you with the most beneficial, enlightening, exciting, and FUN experience available! The fond memories gained will definitely last a lifetime!

Carolina Crown completed their 18th season at the Drum Corps International World Championships at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Our show, “Triple Crown”, thrilled audiences throughout the country with its powerful musical book coupled with its intricate and demanding visual package.  We were definitely a crowd favorite, and were awarded the prestigious “Spirit of Disney Award,” given to the corps whose show best exemplifies the ability to translate imagination into an educational and fun forum for all participants while providing great entertainment value for the audience.  Since its inception, Carolina Crown has continued to amaze the masses with incredible performances, as well as solid, consistent growth as an organization. The only thing missing in the upcoming 2008 season is YOU!

You will quickly learn to appreciate daily life in the "Crown family" through a summer of hard work, traveling, exhilarating performances, learning, AND FUN! You can look forward to developing friendships that will last for years and expect to grow and mature as a person, bearing ideals that, if implemented, will bring lifelong success – the true beauty of drum corps!

The attainment of these ideals is the primary goal of Carolina Crown's outstanding faculty. They will teach you, guide you, and push you to excel... perhaps further than you ever thought possible! Each year Carolina Crown offers a faculty comprised of the top educators in the country. This year will be no different as we add even more great teachers to our core of returning faculty.

In addition to excellence on the field, we strive for excellence throughout the organization. Our goal is to create an environment that allows you to be successful both on and off the performance field. From travel, to food, to education – Carolina Crown strives to be the best!

What will it take for you to be part of the 2008 Carolina Crown? It starts with dedication, the strength to take pride in yourself as a team member rather than an individual, and thorough preparation to do your job at the highest level possible. These basic ingredients are the foundation of all outstanding Carolina Crown members.

I hope you will choose to take advantage of the wonderful things Carolina Crown has to offer, and I challenge you to challenge yourself. Insist on excellence because the Carolina Crown experience is yours to control and enjoy. We will always be here to do everything in our power to help you achieve your goals!

See you in November,

Kevin Smith, Executive Director

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CAMP DATES

Students are expected to attend ALL camp dates. If you have conflicts with any of the camp dates listed, you should provide ADVANCE NOTICE to the Crown office and your caption supervisor as early as possible.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE A RELIABLE E-MAIL ADDRESS THAT WILL ACCEPT FILE ATTACHMENTS (UP TO APPROX. 4-5 MB). MOST OF OUR CORRESPONDENCE IS DONE VIA E-MAIL AND ITEMS SUCH AS YOUR AUDITION PACKET WILL BE SENT TO YOU ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH YOUR ACCOUNT. SCHOOL E-MAIL ACCOUNTS ARE NOT RELIABLE FOR RECEIVING ATTACHMENTS! YOU CAN FIND OTHER SERVICES (SOME ARE FREE, SUCH AS HOTMAIL) THAT MAY WORK BETTER FOR YOU. ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A LEGITIMATE AND WORKING E-MAIL ADDRESS.

Camp registration begins at 6:00PM on Friday and camps will end by approximately 3:00PM on Sunday. All camps will be held in the Charlotte metropolitan area (with the exception of out-of-state remote auditions). Camp locations will be announced in the near future, therefore please check back regularly for updated information.

November 30 - December 2, 2007 (Brass, Percussion, & Guard)
Fort Mill HS; Fort Mill, SC
-for directions click here-

December 27 - 30, 2007 *4-day camp (Brass, Percussion, & Guard)
Nation Ford HS, Fort Mill, SC

January 18 - 20, 2008 (Brass & Percussion ONLY)
Nation Ford HS, Fort Mill, SC

February 22 - 24, 2008 (Brass & Percussion ONLY)
Clover High School, Clover, SC

March 28 - 30, 2008 (Brass & Percussion ONLY)
South Pointe HS, Rock Hill, SC

April 25 - 27, 2008 (All Sections)
Fort Mill HS, Fort Mill, SC

 

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

Please contact the Crown office once your ticket has been booked so that we can schedule a pick-up for you.  All arrival times must be communicated to the office prior to Wednesday before the camp.  This can be done by calling (803-547-2270) or by email (crown@carolinacrown.org).  Pick-ups start at the airport at approximatley 4:30PM and run throughout the weekend. Tickets should be booked so you arrive on Friday before 7:30 and depart Sunday after 5 PM. 

•AIR: Airline passengers should book flights through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and meet at baggage claim Door "D" for ground transportation to camp.

•BUS: Greyhound passengers should only use the Rock Hill, SC station.

•TRAIN: Amtrak passengers should use the Charlotte, NC station.

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FEES

To get started, all students are required to participate in an audition process. There will be an $100 non-refundable registration fee that must be paid no later than the first audition/camp attended (fee waived for returning members). Member's dues and fees account for a small percentage of the total cost needed to operate the corps. Some exact costs are still being finalized, but the following list outlines an estimate of what you can expect.

REGISTRATION FEE: $100
CAMP FEE: $75 *There will be a camp fee for each of the first four (4) camps attended (all additional camps attended after four are FREE!).
PARTICIPATION FEE / TUITION: $1800
UNIFORM FEE: TBA – *Somewhere between $100 - $200
SPRING TRAINING FEE: $200

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!
Pay your PARTICIPATION FEE (new members - $1800) in FULL by Sunday, January 20th and receive 10% back.
(example: $1800 - 10% ($180) = $1620)
*Does not apply to Application Fees, Camp Fees, Uniform Fees, Spring Training Fees, or other expenses.

WARNING – Full tuition is due upon being offered a position in the corps . The below mandatory payment plan must be followed as a minimum to be considered for a spot. A one-camp grace period (with valid reason) is all that will be allowed for non-payment of tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are non-refundable (which includes being released from the corps for disciplinary or medical reasons). The only exceptions are (1) the first tuition payment (if paid on time) will be refunded if you make your request within 10 days of payment, and (2) if it is determined that there is no position available for you in this year's corps. FAILURE TO PAY MONIES OWED, OR ABUSE OF THE GRACE PERIOD WILL BE GROUNDS FOR RELEASE FROM THE CORPS.

MANDATORY MINIMUM TUITION/FEE PAYMENT SCHEDULE
(you must pay the minimum per schedule to be considered for membership in the corps)

DUE DATE	REGISTRAION	CAMP FEE	TUITION	UNIFORM	SPRING TRAINING FEE		TOTAL
	former corps members are exempt	*paid at the first 4 camps attended - all following camps are free	amount listed is based on a new member	TBD $100 - $200			MAXIMUM AMOUNT
Nov 30, 2007	$100	$75				=	$175
Dec 27, 2007		$75				=	$75
Jan 18, 2008		$75	$450			=	$525
Feb 22 , 2008		$75	$450			=	$525
March 28, 2008		*$75	$450			=	*$525
April 25, 2008		*$75	$450			=	*$525
Spring Training				$100-$200	$200	=	$300-$400

 

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WANT TO JOIN! NOW WHAT?

ALL MEMBERS (new and returning) are required to fill out a 2008 membership/medical application COMPLETELY and accompany their application with the $100 registration fee (this fee is waived for all returning members). If you are under 18, be sure to have aparent sign the medical release section. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the 2008 application:

 

1. Include your $100.00 registration fee, payable to Carolina Crown.

2. Mail to the corps office at:
Carolina Crown Inc.
227A Main St.
Fort Mill, SC 29715

3. Plan your travel arrangements today! Airline tickets normally have to be booked three weeks in advance to take advantage of discounted airfares.

4. Email crown@carolinacrown.org, or call the office (803-547-2270), with your travel information so we can arrange for your ground transportation from the Charlotte area.

5. Practice as you normally would - we will send confirmation via e-mail once we have received your application and application fee. This confirmation will explain in greater detail the audition process and how to better prepare.

6. Get plenty of rest before the audition weekend.

7. Get ready for an experience of a lifetime!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Do I audition at one single camp, or do I have to attend all of the camps?
You are expected to attend all of the camps that are scheduled for your particular section. The audition process spans several camps and involves the evaluation of many aspects that include, but are not limited to: talent; skill; physical condition; attendance; participation; improvement; work ethic; and attitude. We typically begin offering membership to students in the month of February.

• What if I cannot attend a camp or because of a school conflict?
Although everyone is required to be at every camp, pre-arranged school commitments take precedent over drum corps activities. We want you to be successful in drum corps AND school. Most school events are posted on the district or campus schedule months in advance – sometimes up to a year. It is your responsibility to communicate any possible conflicts with the Crown administration AND your Caption Supervisor at the first camp. If you find that you must miss a camp, an audio/video tape may be submitted to demonstrate your progress. This should be arranged with your caption supervisor and the Crown office. *Some sections may require a tape (audio) to be made even if you do attend the camp.

• What if I have a conflict with attending a rehearsal camp for reasons that are not necessarily school related?
Those types of instances will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Regardless of the reason, if you have a camp conflict you should strive to attend as much of that camp weekend as possible.

• What if I still owe money to the last corps I marched with?
Unfortunately, you will not be permitted to participate in Carolina Crown until you have fulfilled all financial commitments to any previous drums corps you have participated in.

• What should I bring?
Everyone should bring the following items to your first Carolina Crown full weekend camp: sleeping bag, pillow, towel, toiletries, clothes you can move in (sweats, T-shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, etc.), a completed membership application and medical form (with the appropriate signature), your registration fee of $100.00 (new members only), and your camp fee of $75.00 (Note - the camp fee for our remote one-day audition events are $40). Depending on your caption, you should bring the following items to camp:

BRASS - marching brass instrument (you can audition on trombone if that is your main instrument), mouthpiece, white gloves, your audition packet, and a sturdy binder with plastic sleeves/sheet protectors for your music
PERCUSSION - instrument and carrier (if possible), sticks, mallets, your audition packet, a binder with plastic sheet protectors for your music, and a practice pad
GUARD - dance shoes (if you own any), appropriate dance clothes (spandex and/or form fitting – not too long or baggy), and a rifle, saber and/or flag.

• Will I be provided transportation to the camp location if I fly or take a bus in to Charlotte?
Yes. We will make arrangements to transport you from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport , Rock Hill Greyhound Station, or Charlotte Amtrak Station. We will also arrange to take you back to those locations on Sunday after camp. Please notify the office a minimum of 3 days prior to the camp of your transportation needs.

• Where do I eat, sleep, and rehearse when I am with the corps for the weekend camps?
Carolina Crown utilizes various area schools and their facilities for our camps. Food is provided by the corps for your entire weekend. The corps has a full service mobile "kitchen" staffed with volunteers who will prepare a snack Friday evening, three meals and a snack on Saturday, and breakfast and a snack on Sunday. You will be sleeping in the school gym (or similar size area) "camping style" using a pillow and sleeping bag. You will have access to the school locker rooms for showers.

• Are my parents invited?
Absolutely! Parents are encouraged to attend every camp. Carolina Crown administrators and other volunteers will be in attendance at all auditions to answer questions. Parents are offered the use of separate sleeping quarters in the school and there are numerous volunteer positions available for parents to fill. Bring a sleeping bag and "pitch-in" for the weekend!

• What if my parents would like to talk to someone about the corps?
Parents who have questions are encouraged to contact the Crown office. The office is usually open Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Feel free to email questions to crown@carolinacrown.org or call 803-547-2270.

• How many spots are open in the corps?
There are 150 total spots open in the corps. We will also carry a select few alternates with us on tour as well. Every student must audition for the corps each year, including returning members.

• What is Carolina Crown?
Carolina Crown is a non-profit youth organization committed to "Developing lifelong excellence in young people through a superior and challenging performing arts education experience." Although we are involved with the development of numerous other youth-arts related activities, the drum corps is the largest program offering of Carolina Crown, Inc.

 

 

 

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