Membership FAQ
How can I help the Derby City Knights NOW?
1. Tell everyone you know who might be interested in becoming a performing member, instructor, designer or volunteer and have them check out the corps website www.derbycityknights.org
2. Donate to the Derby City Knights general fund. Any amount you can give, whether $10, $100 or $1,000 dollars, will be helpful. Contact Us to find out how you can do this.
3. Submit your ideas for fundraisers to Contact Us.
4. Volunteer to work at info booths and hand out flyers during winter guard, indoor drumline and drum corps shows to recruit for the corps. Contact Us for more information.
What positions are available for performing members?
Hornline (Soprano, Mellophone, Baritone, Euphonium, Contra Bass)
Percussion (Front Ensemble, Snare, Tenors, Bass Drum, Cymbals)
Color Guard (Flag, Rifle, Saber)
Drum Major
Honor Guard (Carries U.S. and Kentucky flag accompanied by rifles and sabers.)
What positions are available for staff?
Color Guard Staff (choreographer, caption head, techs)
Visual Staff (caption head, techs)
Who can join the corps as a performing member?
Anyone age 14 and up who has prior experience in marching band, winter guard, indoor drumline or drum & bugle corps.
What if I'm under 18?
Anyone 14-17 can also march provided they have marching experience and fulfill the requirements for their age group set by Derby City Knights.
What if I haven't played / marched / spun in a long time?
Don't worry, you can still join! Our training program will help you get your chops / hands back in shape and quite possibly you'll become a better performer than you've ever been. One of the purposes of this corps is to give people an opportunity to march again. There are many of you who always wanted to do drum corps but never got the chance. Now is your chance! Of course we also welcome people who have been performing continually in recent years.
What if I have no experience marching with a brass instrument, percussion or color guard?
At this time we do not offer a training program for beginners but we do hope to do so a few years down the road as the organization grows. However there's still a place for you in the Derby City Knights! We need volunteers to help in a plethora of ways including running errands for corps staff during rehearsals, assisting administrative staff, sewing flags and uniforms, preparing meals for the corps, helping with recruitment and fundraisers, etc. Please email Contact Us for more information on how you can help!
We also need people to join the Honor Guard. This is the unit of the corps which carries the U.S. and Kentucky State Flag accompanied by a rifle and saber section in front of the corps at parades and leads the corps onto the field for performances. The Honor Guard will wear the same uniforms as the rest of the corps and no experience is required to join. There's also no limit to the number of people we can have in the Honor Guard. To join the Derby City Knights Honor Guard simply email Contact Us!
The volunteers and honor guard are just as important to the success of the Derby City Knights as the performers on the field and they are just as much a part of the corps as anyone else!
Will there be an audition?
Yes, but not in the traditional sense of an audition. As long as you have prior experience, attend all rehearsals, work hard and have a good attitude you should do fine. If anyone is incapable of keeping up with the other people in their section whether it is playing music, marching or spinning, we will find other ways for you to contribute to the success of the corps.
How much does it cost?
Annual Membership Dues are $400 dollars. There is also a Uniform Fee of $50, a refundable Instrument Damage Deposit of $50, and a Tour Fee which covers travel expenses of long trips. DCK also offers a Lifetime Membership, which would exclude a member from paying the Annual Membership Dues.
How much will staff members be paid?
In the first couple of years all staff members and designers will not be paid. Our first priority will be the purchase of instruments. Only in about 3 or 4 years will be we able to consider paying staff. We want people on staff who do it for the love of drum corps, not to boost their ego or wallet.
How much time does it take?
Rehearsals will take place one weekend per month November through March, two weekends in April and May, three weekends in June, July, and August. The summer performance and competition season will begin in late June. The final and MOST IMPORTANT weekend is Labor Day Weekend in September when we will travel to the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) World Championships. In our first year of competition we expect to perform in no less than 4 or 5 competitions and a couple of parades.
Will daycare be provided for my children while I am at rehearsals and performances?
We are working on this. We need trustworthy volunteers; family and friends of the corps who are willing to donate their time to watch our kids during rehearsals and performances. If you or someone you know can do this, please contact our volunteer coordinator. More details to come as this program is developed.
Will instruments / equipment be provided?
Yes, DCK does own a limited number of bugles and battery percussion. While we do not own our own Front Ensemble equipment, we do have a source that we borrow equipment from.
What kind of horns will be used?
We will use 2 valve and 3 valve G Soprano, Mellophone, Baritones, and Contrabass Bugles. Since DCK owns a limited number of horns, we encouraged to provide their own when possible. Members that do provide their own horn, do receive a discount on their membership dues.
What kind of music will we play?
All kinds! We don't want to get backed into a corner in terms of musical styles so we will play various styles of music from year to year.
What type of drill will we march?
Modern, free form visual design… but that's not to say we will never throw some "old school" traditional marching maneuvers in the mix. Tradition and innovation go quite well together.
What will rehearsals be like?
Rehearsals will be focused yet relaxed. Since we practice on weekends only, it is imperative that all corps members discipline themselves so that rehearsal time is efficient. There will be times when the instructional staff must ask all corps members to remain completely quiet during rehearsal time for maximum efficiency. This will happen especially in the summer when time is short and we need to put finishing touches on the show.
What's the drug and alcohol policy?
Consumption of or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any illegal substances during corps time (rehearsals and performances) is strictly prohibited.
What is the discrimination policy?
Membership of is open to all interested individuals over the age of 18 regardless of sex, race, religion, color, creed, affectional preference, public assistance status, marital status, handicap, or national origin. Persons under the age of 18 may only become members by applying to the Board and receiving the approval thereof.
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