I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a part of TBDBITL. I would walk home from Junior High School humming the Ramp cadence, study the teachings of Woody Hayes, and even play OSUMB CDs in my basement bedroom until my small magnavox stereo finally gave out. It was all a way of pumping myself up for my future dream: making The Best Damn Band In The Land. Turns out, you can scream all you want, but if you lack what it takes, you lack still lack what it takes. Here are some guidelines for mentally and physically for preparing yourself for tryouts.
Without a doubt, you're going to need excellent playing skills. You need to have excellent training before you can play with excellence. I would drive 45 minutes once a week in the fall and winter months to Dover, OH to take lessons. I learned control, persistance, and devotion through a mentor. Without seeking private help, I would not have made the OSUMB. Take lessons. Try to get a I rating on a class A snare solo. If you find you can get a I on a class A snare solo, then you have what it takes musically to be a member of TBDBITL. Start playing with traditional grip as early as possible.
Don't eat like a moron. Your goal before tryouts is to become a fine tuned machine. Eat poorly and your performance will be lagging and unpredictable. You'd put excellent fuel in a car before a race... do the same for your body. This goes for thin people as well.
Spend your spring and summer months exercising. Develop a set of reasonable goals. Once you reach those goals, set even higher fitness goals. You need to be able to run at least 1.5 miles 4-5 days/week. Try to do 50 pushups and 50 situps in the morning and at night. There's no need to be bulging with muscles, but try to at least tone your body. It's best to think of TBDBITL as a sport. And the opposition is those trying to take your spot in the band away from you.
Every year DCI drum corps seem to take it to the next level in modern percussion excitement. Thousands of people travel far and wide to see their favorite corps. I was in awe when I had a clinic with the Blue Devils drumline. Amazing chops. Amazing visuals. But...
WE ARE NOT A DRUM CORP. WE DO NOT WANT TO EVER, EVER BE A DRUM CORP.
The DCI marching style is easier to master than the 8to5 chair step. Every year, there are usually one or two DCI members who try out and don't make the band. You have to be able to march our style, which takes at least a summer to master. If your chops are amazing, but you march like a duck, then you will not make the OSUMB.
Moreoever, it's important to understand that the band is based on military-like operating procedures. Your say is determined by your rank. This falls in with attitude... clear your mind of your rank in high school. Everyone has an equal chance of making the band.
You should have someone videotape your marching. It's the best way to see how you look. You'd be surprised at how many corrections you can make to your style in a short amount of time with the aid of video. A terrific idea is to have a parent or friend video tape your marching at summer sessions. Try to stand next to a veteran member so you can compare yourself later.
Ryan Stocker (I-12 2000-2002, I-6 2003)