Q: What is Drum and Bugle Corps?
A: Drum and Bugle Corps are
independent, non-profit organizations
that seek to teach youth individuality,
leadership, and perseverance through
music performance. Modern junior
drum and bugle corps (“drum corps”
for short) are made up of up to 135 14-
to 22-year-olds who spend the summer
rehearsing and performing an 11-
minute show in which they play a
variety of horns or percussion
instruments, or spin flags, rifles,
sabres, and other implements, all
while marching around a football field.

Q: Where do the Kiwanis Kavaliers
come from?
A: The corps was originally based out
of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada. Currently, the corps operates
from Miami, Florida, USA.

Q: How do I become a member?
A: Fill out an online application and a
staff member will contact you
regarding attending the next camp on
the schedule.

member?
member?

A: Yes, by all means drum corps is an
activity that is open to everyone. All
students are welcome regardless of
their background. Woodwind players
have been solid members in all three
sections.

Q: How much does it cost?
A: We have an annual one-time
registration fee of $75US. This covers
administration costs. Each camp is
$30US which is used to cover 5 meals
and 2 snacks as well as instruction and
accommodations throughout the
weekend. The tour fee is $1300US. All
audition and camp fees are non-
refundable regardless of being
selected as a member. Summer tour
fees are refunded only if an individual
does not sign a contract to participate
with the corps. Contracts must be
signed by March 31, 2007. Once a
contract is signed, no refund of any
kind will be given should the member
willingly leave the corps or be
terminated due to disciplinary
reasons. All money raised by members
and prospective members through
fund-raising activities are non-
refundable. Please refer to our 2007
Fee Schedule.

Q: When are fees due?
A: There are two options for payment.
The first option is to pay the $1300US
in 5 monthly installments of $260US
beginning in January. This must be
paid in full by May camp. The other
option is to pay the whole $1300US by
February and receive a discount.
Please refer to 2007 Fee Schedule for
more information.

Q: Are there ways to reduce the fees?
A: : It is the policy of the Kavaliers to
make the activity affordable for our
membership therefore we provide
several opportunities for lowering the
cost of the tour fee. 1- Returning
members receive a discount. 2- If the
tour fee is paid in full by February
camp, the member receives a 10%
discount. 3- There are fundraising
opportunities available throughout
the spring and early summer months.
4- Members are encouraged to seek
out individual sponsors. You may
contact Sarah at
SBunkley@KiwanisKavaliers.org for
ideas on how to approach small
businesses for sponsorship.
5-A referral program has been
developed. Please refer to 2007 Fee
Schedule for details.

Q: How old do I have to be?
A: The Kavaliers do not have a
minimum age requirement for
membership and we invite any
interested individuals to audition with
us at one of our winter audition
camps. However we do expect a high
level of maturity from all of our
members regardless of their age. In
the past most of our members are high
school or college aged. Because of our
participation in Drum Corps
International membership is limited to
135 participants and all must be under
the age of 23. A member cannot turn
22 prior to June 1st, 2007.

Q: Where do we go during the
summer? How do we get there?
A: Everyday of the tour we travel with
coach buses for the membership and
two tractor trailors, one holds our
equipment, while the other had been
renovated into a “kitchen on wheels”.
For specific dates and locations of the
tour, please visit the schedules link.

Q: What if I am involved in indoor
percussion or indoor guard?
A: We believe that it is important for
you to be a good member in both
groups. You should certainly take
advantage of the great experience
that the indoor activity offers.
However, it is important for you to
maintain a consistent level of
communication with your caption
head at the Kavaliers in order to make
sure you are kept up to date with
regards to changes in the music or
schedule.

Q: I can’t make it to a camp. What do I
do?
A: Communicate, Communicate,
Communicate.
Many potential members take
themselves out of the corps for failure
to just let us know what is going on.
Certainly, school, indoor activities and
family obligations should come first
during the winter months. We will
work together with you and your
family to help address your specific
scheduling needs.

Q: When and where should I arrive for
the camps if I'm flying?
A: Camp locations have not been
posted. Please return here once we've
made an official announcement for
more information.

Q: How will I get from the airport/bus
station to the camp site?
A: If you are arriving by bus, train or
airplane, please contact Sarah at  
SBunkley@KiwanisKavaliers.org with
your travel schedule no less than one
week prior to camp. She will make
arrangements for your pick up and
drop off.

Q: I still have some questions. Is
there anyone I can talk to that can
help me?
A: With any further questions,
comments or concerns, please feel
free to contact our assistant
administrator
SBunkley@KiwanisKavaliers.org . She
will either answer you as soon as
possible or direct your question to the
appropriate staff member.