Open Positions within the Bushwackers Organization

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We currently have openings in all sections, and we are in need of support personnel to help with Quartermaster duties and other off-field tasks. Please fill out our form here on our web site, or you can contact our recruiting committee, directly by email, or by phone 609-234-9260, for more information.

Brass
Drum and Bugle Corps use marching brass instruments. They are all bell-forward in configuration and are held just like a trumpet, with the exception of the tuba, which is still bell forward, but balances on the shoulder. Our instruments are top quality 3-valved horns and are pitched in the key of Bb, except for the mellophones, which are pitched in F. In every way they play just like any band or orchestral brass instrument and the music is read the same way and the fingerings are the same.

Don't worry! You will not need to buy a new horn to participate in the Bushwackers! The corps owns a complete set of top-quality instruments, and one will be provided for you for the entire season. You will however need to provide your own mouthpiece, contact the brass caption head for more information.

For those of you not familiar with Drum and Bugle Corps brass, here is a brief description of each instrument, it's range, and how it compares to conventional brass instruments:

Trumpet - We use standard Trumpets and standard Trumpet mouthpieces. The music is generally scored in three to four parts. (upper lead, lower lead, second and third) To play Lead you will need to have a range that is solid up to F or G above High C (above the staff). The 2nd part goes up to around High C, and the 3rd part generally stays within the staff, but occasionally goes up to A or Bb above the staff. Every part is just as important as the other, and often players with an exceptionally large sound will be better suited to a lower part, as it makes the hornline sound better to have a thicker low end.

Mellophone - This horn fills in the alto voice in the ensemble and is pitched in F (just like a French horn), It uses a special mouthpiece that is similar to a large trumpet mouthpiece (we do not use French horn mouthpieces) The Mellophone plays transposed treble clef parts with fingerings that are the same as the trumpet. The music is usually scored in two parts, and is lower in range, but sometimes more technical than the Trumpet music. The Lead Mellophone part will get above the staff occasionally, and the 2nd Mellophone parts usually stay in the staff, occasionally going below it.

Baritone - This horn, as the name implies, fills the Baritone voice in the ensemble, similar to the Trombone, Baritone, and Euphonium would in Band or like the Cellos in the Orchestra. These horns play exactly like a conventional Bb baritone or euphonium and play concert pitched, bass clef music, just like in an American concert band. It uses standard fingerings and a small shank Trombone mouthpiece. The music is generally scored in three parts. Lead Baritone can be scored up to G or A (4 ledger lines above the staff). 2nd Baritones go up to around F, and 3rd Baritones provide the "meat" of the hornline and generally stay within the staff, occasionally going below it. Every part is just as important as the other, and often players with an exceptionally large sound will be better suited to a lower part, as it makes the hornline sound better to have a thicker low end.

Tuba - We use a convertible version of a concert style upright tuba. It is played perpendicular to the body, resting on the left shoulder. We do not use sousaphones. A certain amount of physical strength is needed to play the tuba in drum corps, as the horn is moved up and down and manipulated with the rest of the hornline. We use standard tuba mouthpieces and our parts generally go from low F (3 ledger lines below the staff) up to approximately middle f (second line from the top of the staff). The tuba reads concert pitched, bass clef music, just like in an American concert band or orchestra and is usually one part, but occasionally splits into two.

Woodwinds -
Drum and Bugle Corps do not use woodwinds, but many woodwind players have become good brass players in a short amount of time. If you can read music, and you've got some experience playing another instrument, it really doesn't take all that long to achieve proficiency on a brass instrument. The conversion is quite easy - we have a special program set up to make this transition simple. PLAYING A BRASS INSTRUMENT WILL NOT HURT YOUR WOODWIND CHOPS! In fact, it will help it!! Most woodwind players report that the breathing training involved in our brass program actually helps their woodwind playing!

Most woodwind players find that if they attend our winter program rehearsals, they are very well prepared by the time the summer competition season rolls around. Some of them have become quite accomplished brass players.

At least three woodwind players have gone on to become Bush Drum Majors!

Percussion
The Percussion ensemble in a Drum and Bugle Corps is exactly the same as you would find in most Marching Bands, so there's no need to explain each instrument. So. we're just going to state the minimum proficiency requirements for each section of the ensemble.

Snare - Requires a high degree of proficiency in rudimentary drumming. Must be able to read music. Experience playing snare in a Drum and Bugle Corps or top caliber Marching Band drum line is preferred.

Tenors - Requires a high degree of proficiency in rudimentary drumming. Must be able to read music. Experience playing Toms in a Drum and Bugle Corps or top caliber Marching Band drum line is preferred.

Bass - Requires proficiency in rudimentary drumming. Must be able to read music. Experience playing Snare, Toms, or Bass in a Drum and Bugle Corps or top caliber Marching Band drum line is preferred.

Cymbal - Must be able to read music. Some Marching Band or Drum and Bugle Corps experience preferred.

Sideline Ensemble or "Pit" - Must be able to read music. Proficiency on tympani and/or keyboard percussion preferred.

Color Guard
The Color Guard ensemble in a Drum and Bugle Corps is exactly the same as you would find in most Marching Band Color Guard or Auxiliary ensembles, so there's no need to explain each piece of equipment. So. we're just going to state the minimum proficiency requirements for each section of the ensemble.

Flag - Strong dance training and/or experience in a Drum and Bugle Corps, Winter Guard, or Marching Band preferred.

Rifle / Sabre - Weapons experience in a Drum and Bugle Corps, Winterguard Colorguard, or top caliber Marching Band required.

Color Guard Equipment / Props Handler - No experience required, but some Guard or Auxiliary experience preferred.