BECOMING A MEMBER
Membership in the 2026 Blue Stars
The Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps tirelessly seeks to become a world leader in the marching arts arena, especially in the areas of member character development and performance excellence.
Being in the Blue Stars is about more than just competitive success. It's about working side-by-side with the best friends you've ever had to put together a show that's engaging, breathtaking, and brings audiences to their feet, night after night. It's about being a part of an organization with a proud heritage that spans over 60 years. It's about giving everything you have to make your summer the most amazing experience of your life - not just for you, but for your fellow Blue Stars, for those who came before you, and for those who will wear the uniform in the years to come.
If you would like information pertaining to auditions, winter camps and summer performances fill out the Membership Interest Form to get updates and information about the 2026 season.
If you have a question that is not covered, please email corps director at director@bluestars.org or join our Blue Stars Discord Server to communicate with staff and other prospective members:
Requirements of being a Blue Stars Member
There are six basic requirements:
DESIRE - The courage to come to the audition. You can’t march if you don’t take the first step.
TIME - You need to have the ability to follow the rehearsal schedule during the off-season. That will include a large amount of personal and virtual rehearsals during the 2026 season. During the season, a member may be excused for a small absence on rare occasions, however this must be approved by the corps director. Apart from this, you will need to be able to move in with the corps and stay with the corps for the duration of the season (until the second weekend in August).
FINANCES - Membership fees need to be considered. While there are a limited number of scholarships available for those with a financial need, being able to pay the membership dues is an important part of the commitment.
ATTITUDE - Sometimes drum corps is quite difficult. Your attitude in the face of stress will be the single most important factor in your success as a member of the Blue Stars.
AGE - You can audition with the Blue Stars if you are between the age of fifteen and twenty-one. If you turn 22 before June 1, 2026 you are NOT eligible to march with a Drum Corps International drum & bugle corps.
HEALTH - Daily rehearsals, performances and travel make drum corps even more intense and demanding than many collegiate level sports. Your body must be capable of holding up under tremendously stressful physical conditions. Members are required to have physician certified physical examinations before the beginning of spring training.
How much does it cost to march?
Registration and Camp Fees
The non-refundable 1-day camp/video audition fee cover administrative expenses, facilities, and instruction/evaluation. In addition, a camp fee of approximately $200 is assessed for the January call back camp and the April rehearsal camp (guard call back) for prospective members who attend, but do not march the summer season. These camp fees count towards the comprehensive membership fee for marching members.
Comprehensive Membership Fee
The Blue Stars believe in one comprehensive membership fee that is simple to understand and covers nearly all costs associated with the tour during the summer. The fee includes:
Room and board
All meals (except for free blocks)
10,000+ miles of travel
Hundreds of hours of quality instruction
All uniform parts (including socks and undergarments)
The operation of a world-class drum corps is very expensive. The equipment (brass, percussion, and guard) and the fleet of vehicles are just a few of the most expensive items. The cost of housing, instruction, touring and uniforms also increase costs. The amount that the Blue Stars charges its members covers less than half of the actual cost of running a touring drum corps.
The 2026 membership fee will be provided to audition participants during the fall camp season.
Extras
The corps will provide every meal, except on free days, which typically happen two to three times during the summer tour. Typically on free days members have the option of going to a mall or a movie theater, or they may have the opportunity to see a local monument, or do something cool that you can only do in the area.
Members also pay for their own laundry (usually $5-$10 per visit, with one visit every 14-18 days) and occasional runs to Walmart to pick up incidentals. The amount of extra money required for these sorts of things varies from person to person. $150 to $400 is a good rule of thumb; some have done it with less, some spend much more.
To receive information on auditioning, be sure you fill out a Membership Interest Form.
AUDITIONS
Don't be afraid to audition
Every year dozens of qualified individuals don't audition because they worry they are not good enough, don’t have what it takes, and fear that they might be “cut.” We go to great lengths to make your audition experience rewarding, educational and worthwhile. We encourage everyone to attend a camp.
If you are not offered a Callback or Performance Position following Round One, we encourage you to continue to pursue your dream of experiencing drum corps. If you wish to “prove us wrong,” we encourage individuals who want another attempt at auditioning to attend additional camps. Or, we can recommend other drum corps to assist in finding alternative performance opportunities.
How Does the Audition Work?
Round One of auditions for the 2026 season will be held at 1-Day In-Person Camps or via Video Audition. After purchasing your audition packet, you will receive a link to download the audition packet for your instrument and instructions on how the audition process works for the chosen instrument/section.
Following Round One of auditions, there will be Callback camps in Indiana and Texas in January and at least two additional winter camps prior to Spring Training move-ins.
Do I need to bring my instrument to the audition?
YES! Brass/Color Guard/Battery there will be some Blue Stars instruments & equipment available, but we can’t guarantee equipment for all attendees. Please bring your own horn/drum/flag/rifle if you have it.
Front Ensemble will have Blue Stars keyboards available.
Will food be provided? How are special diets handled?
Meals during camp weekends are included with your registration. Our Culinary Crew can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free needs. You are able to communicate dietary needs when completing the Member Interest Form and upon registering for camp.
What should I pack for my audition camp?
Are shuttles provided if I fly in to camp?
The Blue Stars provide shuttle transportation to and from MULTI-DAY camps in INDIANAPOLIS ONLY. You can communicate your flight information via the Camp RSVP Forms (released soon).
** We DO NOT provide shuttles for 1-day camps. **
When booking flights to Indianapolis for camps, please arrange to fly into the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and to arrive by 5:00 PM on Fridays and depart after 5:00 PM on Sundays.
If driving, there is plenty of parking space at all sites.
Once More, DON’T BE AFRAID TO AUDITION
We regularly hear from people who say "I'm not good enough for drum corps," or "I'm afraid to audition." If you are at the point where you are reading this - you need to come to camp. You have very little to lose and everything to gain.
Everyone auditioning for the Blue Stars will have a great experience. You will meet some great people, you will learn great musical and guard skills, you will know more about the Blue Stars, and you will feel fabulous because you did something in pursuit of your dream. Do not stay home! Find out what this is all about. Come to camp.