Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

Q. How do I get started in becoming a member of Tradition?

A. Please contact any member, staff or management person through this website. You may also come to any rehearsal. It is advisable that you email us first so that we can make sure to have an instrument for you.

Q: Where are rehearsals?

A: Winter Rehearsals will take place at Lawrenceburg High School in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Q. How much does it cost to be a member of Cincinnati Tradition?

A: Cincinnati Tradition costs $300 to participate for the 2012 season. We are keeping the cost as low as possible. This nominal fee covers the cost of printing music, travel, helmet, and uniform. All members are expected to participate in fundraising where a portion of those funds raised may be used to offset some of the out of pocket dues.

Q: Do I need to bring my own instrument?

A: Instruments are provided by Tradition. Please be aware that there is a $20 deposit required before members are permitted to take an instrument home. The deposit will be applied to the dues for the organization.

Q: Do I have to audition to become a member of the Cincinnati Tradition?

A: Auditions are an on-going process that consider elements such as attitude, disposition and improvement.

Q: When does the Tradition practice?

A: Cincinnati Tradition meets twice a month on Sundays from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. We have selected Sunday for our rehearsals so that there are generally no school conflicts. During the spring and summer season, our practices move to every Sunday from 9 to 5.

Q: What if I can't make a rehearsal session?

A: Attending all rehearsals is considered mandatory. During each session we will cover a great deal of information in playing and marching. If you miss a rehearsal session you will miss that aspect performance. If you must miss a rehearsal for some reason, please email your caption head AND the personnel director.

Q. If I have missed the Opening Day, can I still join?

A. Yes, you can still join. Simply come out to the next rehearsal and we will find a way of fitting you into the ensemble.

Q: Will we have any performances?

A: We will perform at local DCI shows in the all-age division, and regional DCA shows as they are available. The corps will also travel to Annapolis Maryland for the DCA world championships.

Q: If I play a woodwind instrument, will you teach me how to play a brass instrument?

A: The answer is a qualified yes. Cincinnati Tradition requires that you have a basic understanding of the instrument that you want to study. For example, everyone should know the fingerings for their instrument of choice. We will then introduce some of the fundamentals of brass playing that will benefit brass musicians of all levels. It is highly encouraged, though, that anyone participating in the Tradition have daily practice with their brass instrument.

Q: Will this conflict with my school band?

A: Every effort is made to schedule around your band’s performances and rehearsals.

Q: What do I need to bring?

A: Bring your instrument, notepad, pencil, drinking water and valve/slide oil, sticks, mallets. Most importantly bring a positive attitude to learn and a lot of energy to play and perform!

Q: Is there any out-of-town travel involved?

A: All rehearsals will be in the Cincinnati or Lawrenceburg areas. Travel will be largely local to the area with a few longer trips over a couple weekends, including the trip to DCA Finals in Annapolis Maryland.

Q: Who are the Tradition instructors?

A: We are pleased to have on staff many fine professional instructors and educators from the region who all have had extensive experience in the drum and bugle corps activity. Also, we plan to invite other educators to participate. All combined, our instructional staff has well over a hundred years of experience in performing and teaching.

Q: How long are the rehearsals?

A: Our rehearsals will be a eight hour sessions, broken into two smaller segments, so please make sure you are early to each session. Registration and setup will begin at 9:00AM with warm-ups beginning at 9:10AM. At the end of each rehearsal session we will invite all parents, spouses, and supporters to a short show-and-tell performance of what we learned during that session.

Q: What type of music are we going to play?

A: This year’s program will perform the music of Stan Kenton. Other music and exercises will extend the performance technique of all members.

Q: What will I learn at the Cincinnati Tradition?

A: Each Tradition session will be focused on a developing a high level of individual and ensemble performance technique. For example, for the brass, we will have sessions on proper breathing methods, achieving good tone quality, proper attacks and releases, fingering dexterity, etc. These techniques will be applied to exercises. These techniques will ultimately be demonstrated through the performance pieces. Percussion and guard will focus on similar techniques.

Q: How will this benefit my band program?

A: The Drum Corps activity is intended to help strengthen local band programs. Cincinnati Tradition provides school music directors the opportunity to send their students where they spend the summer focusing on specific brass, percussion and guard techniques. Our hope is that the students will return to their band programs with a deeper understanding and appreciation for what it takes to be a proficient performer.

Q: What if I am still at a middle school, can I join?

A: While Cincinnati Tradition is intended for area high school and college level musicians and beyond, we will consider 7th and 8th graders who have the ability to play at a high school level.

Q: Will participation in Cincinnati Tradition help me if I choose to audition for a junior corps in future years?

A: Yes. The brass performance techniques that are taught at Cincinnati Tradition are consistent with those taught in many junior corps. Demonstrating these proficiencies is part of their audition process. Over the years, many members of the Tradition Family have gone onto become full marching members of junior corps in the area. .

Q. What if I have additional questions?

A: For any additional information that is not mentioned here, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it