Frequently Asked Questions



Something not here? Email us your question at tbc@tricitybandcorps.org!



Frequently Asked Questions



Frequently Asked Questions



Frequently Asked Questions



Frequently Asked Questions



Royal REGiment



How does it work?





Unlike many other youth groups, TBC operates on a "gig" basis, which means when you join as a member, you are NOT committing yourself to any long-term participation with the group. We have members who join for just one parade, and others who join for every event throughout the year. Each time we have a performance coming up, we'll message our membership and ask you to sign up for that specific performance. Members who sign up will be sent the music to memorize. Only those signed up for the parade will attend rehearsals as we want to know how we're going to look and sound in competition.



When do you rehearse and how many rehearsals are there?





For each parade, TBC will arrange 4 rehearsals, 2 or 3 and a half hours each, spread out before the parade, plus 2 additional color guard and percussion-only rehearsals. The 4th rehearsal is a dress rehearsal in full uniform. The dates and times vary, but will always take place outside of school hours or in the evenings during the summer. Members must attend at least 50% of the rehearsals to participate in the parade. Alternatively, members may pass a playing and marching test demonstrating mastery of the competition music to be exempt from the rehearsals.



Is there a membership fee to join?





Nope! As a non-profit organization, we gain our funding from fundraisers, sponsorships, and other events. We do ask for donations to help cover the cost of buses and instructors, but donations are not required to participate.



Are there any requirements or auditions to join?





No, as a group dedicated to providing an enjoyable experience, we accept anyone who wants to play music and have fun. With that said, we beat the DCI World Class Mandarins and we've consistently beaten all of our competing high school units by a wide margin at NCBA-judged shows, all with just 4 rehearsals. As a volunteer unit, the people who choose to join us are motivated to work hard and come to rehearsals prepared. We still have a place for everyone regardless of their previous experience.



Do you provide instruments?





​TBC provides all percussion and color guard equipment. Unfortunately, we do not own other instruments and we encourage you to borrow anything you may need from your home school.



What are the benefits of joining Tri-City Band Corps?





In addition to being a lot of fun, Tri-City Band Corps is a great organization for earning service hours required to graduate high school, learning and practicing music, and meeting new friends. It also looks great on college applications as part of extra-curricular activities. Officers have the additional benefits of gaining leadership experience and test and college guidance.



Where do your members come from?





Everywhere! Over the years, our group has featured students from the following high schools: Mission, Irvington, American, Washington, Kennedy, Foothill, Amador, James Logan, Milpitas, Daugherty Valley, Monta Vista, Monte Vista, Newark, Independence, Livermore, Granada, San Mateo, Cal High, Hayward, and more!



Will there be free food?





Yes, we provide snacks at all rehearsals and many of our parades. Just our way of saying thanks!



Cadet Regiment



I have a vacation planned and will miss part of the summer. Can I still join?





Yes! We know that many families will be traveling during break, and have a very flexible attendance policy. Just let us know a week in advance so we can update our instructors.



I have a class on XYZ day of the week, can I only join for 1 or 2 days a week?





Yes! As long as you let us know in advance, we're flexible with any absences.



Is there a membership fee to join?





Nope! As a non-profit organization, we gain our funding from fundraisers, sponsorships, and other events. We do ask for donations to help cover the cost of buses and instructors, but donations are not required to participate.



Are there any requirements or auditions to join?





No previous experience is required! If you don't play an instrument, you can join our color guard or percussion units. For our musicians, you should be able to play at a grade 3 level, basically average junior high programs. If you're not sure, please ask, and we can share the music with you to see if you feel up to it.



Do you provide instruments?





​TBC provides all percussion and color guard equipment. Unfortunately, we do not own other instruments and we encourage you to borrow anything you may need from your home school.



What are the benefits of joining Tri-City Band Corps?





In TBC, you can make new friends from other schools, prepare for high school marching band, earn service hours once you're in high school, and more! It also looks great on college applications as part of extra-curricular activities.



Where do your members come from?





Everywhere! Over the years, our group has featured students from the following junior highs: Horner, Hopkins, Thornton, Walters, Centerville, Pleasanton, IVC, and more!



Will there be free food?





Yes, we provide snacks at all rehearsals and many of our parades. Just our way of saying thanks!



ELEmentary Beginning Band



How does it work?





Our program runs for 2 hours at a time:

  • One hour for sectionals led by TAs
  • One hour for full ensemble rehearsal


What levels do you offer?





We currently offer 3 levels to our program:

  1. Beginning - Brand new with little to no previous experience
  2. Intermediate - Will start on Standards of Excellence Book 1 page 20. Students must be able to play "Sawmill Creek" by the first day of class.
  3. Advanced - Will start with Standards of Excellence Book 2. Students who have already completed our advanced program should move on to our Cadet Regiment program.


Is there a membership fee to join?





Nope! As a non-profit organization, we gain our funding from fundraisers, sponsorships, and other events. We do ask for donations to help cover the cost of buses and instructors, but donations are not required to participate.



Do you provide instruments?





​TBC provides all percussion and color guard equipment. Unfortunately, we do not own other instruments and we encourage you to borrow anything you may need from your home school.



What are the benefits of joining Tri-City Band Corps?





In TBC, you can make new friends from other schools, prepare for high school marching band, earn service hours once you're in high school, and more! It also looks great on college applications as part of extra-curricular activities.



Are private lessons required?





No, but they are highly encouraged. Students who take private lessons excel much more quickly which will help them earn spots as section leaders and in honor bands when they hit the junior high level. Please see our local music teacher page for more info.



My student will be absent this week. Can they turn their SmartMusic homework in late? Or can they be assigned their future homework to complete now?





We have a one-week grace period for every SmartMusic assignment during which students can turn in their assignments late. Unfortunately, we are unable to change assignment dates and due dates for individual students beyond that. It is recommended to just practice all the assignments using their Standard of Excellence books and/or sheet music, even if they're unable to submit them on SmartMusic.



My student is traveling and can't make their in-person class. Would it be possible for them to join the online one instead?





No, we do not allow students to switch between programs (such as from in-person to online). Instead, students can use the video lessons we have up on our website (https://www.tricitybandcorps.org/elementary-band-hastati-regiment) if they need help working through that week's assignments.



My student will be gone for an extended period of time. Can I still register them for the program? (Mostly a summer question)





As long as we are notified of the dates a student will be gone at least 24 hours (preferably a week) before they are absent, they will be excused. If they have 3 or more unexcused absences, they may be dropped. However, if a student has missed more than 50% of classes (excused and unexcused), they will also be dropped.



ETernal Regiment



What grade level does the student need to be to join?





The Eternal Regiment program is for 4th-8th grade students (current 4-8th graders, not incoming).



How do the lessons work virtually?





We have both pre-recorded video lessons, virtual TA lessons, and periodic assignments for students to complete.

  1. Video Lessons
    • Pre-recorded by either TBC’s Captains or Ben Wilkinson, a world-class color guard coach
    • These videos will be provided in a Google classroom!
    • New videos will be released at 12:00 Noon
  2. TA lessons
    • Scheduled by the TA for 1 hour


​What preparations do students need to do for their weekly lesson?





We will recommend your student to have the following:

  1. A stable internet connection where your student will be spinning, so there will be no technical difficulties during the lesson
  2. A space to move around and spin (outside your house)
  3. Clothing and shoes they can move freely in


Do you provide equipment?





Yes, all equipment such as flags and rifles will be provided.



Is there a membership fee to join?





Nope! As a non-profit organization, we gain our funding from fundraisers, sponsorships, and other events. We do ask for donations to help cover the cost of buses and instructors, but donations are not required to participate.



What is the attendance policy?





​We are very flexible with attendance in this program. We ask that all absences be reported at least 1 week in advance. Students with multiple unexcused absences may be dropped from the class.



What are the benefits of joining Tri-City Band Corps?





Our independent programs are here to support individuals who are interested in color guard and dance. In the Eternal Regiment, you can learn dance fundamentals, get exercise, make new friends in high school (students in color guard can waive PE, freeing up additional space in their schedules), and win numerous awards!



Where do your members come from?





All across the Bay Area and beyond.



Winter Programs



Tri-City Percussion & Tri-City Winter Guard



When are auditions?





Auditions are usually held in the fall from Sep-Oct. Please see our website and social media pages for more information.



​When do you rehearse and how many rehearsals are there?





Rehearsals vary sometimes but are usually:

  • Tri-City Percussion - Sundays 9 AM-1 PM
  • Tri-City Winter Guard (Immortalis) - Sundays 8 AM-11 AM
  • Tri-City Winter Guard (Imperialis) - Sundays 10 AM-2 PM


Is there a membership fee to join? Do you provide the equipment?





This program is free, however students are expected to purchase their own uniforms for the show. Percussion students are expected to provide their own drumsticks. Donations are greatly appreciated to help make this program possible.




Do you accept junior high or high school students?





​Current junior high and high school students are eligible for consideration as long as one of the following conditions are met:

  1. Their school does not have a winter program or the student is cut from their program and can provide proof.
  2. The student can provide a letter from their school band director or instructor indicating that they have been released from their school program to participate in an independent unit.
  3. The student is participating in BOTH their school unit and in Tri-City. You will need to work out the schedule to ensure there is no overlap in performances.


What are the benefits of joining Tri-City Band Corps?





Our independent programs are here to support individuals who are interested in continuing their winter guard and percussion careers. Few colleges offer programs, and even many high schools don't provide winter opportunities. Our programs are fortunate to have some of the top instructors in the Bay Area and routinely travel to WGI Championships and other WGI regional shows.



Where do your members come from?





Everywhere! We've had people from as far north as Sacramento, south from San Luis Obispo, and east from Fresno!