To all prospective members:

The White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps is a performing group that takes the sophistication of great music and combines it with the athleticism of military precision. It is a unique performing venue that provides an adrenal zed charge to both performer and audience alike that can be found nowhere else. The White Sabers have a storied tradition that began in 1928 and continues to grow even today in the year 2008. Come be a part of the tradition as the White Sabers continue their journey toward excellence in the drum corps world.

The White Sabers Drum and Bugle Corps is an organization for all ages. We have an instruction team of about fifteen people to teach our four sections: the front ensemble (pit and stationary percussion equipment), field battery (marching drum line), brass section, and color guard. We perform our show, which is between ten and twelve minutes long, outdoors on a football field. We generally compete most weekends in the summer beginning the first weekend in July and ending with our championships, which are held Labor Day weekend. We belong to a competitive field corps organization called Drum Corps Associates (DCA) that oversees the running and judging of these weekly events (www.dcacorps.org). Championships this year will be held at Paetec Park stadium in Rochester, NY.We have two camps a month from January until March. In April, we increase the number to about three a month and this continues through June. A "camp" is a rehearsal weekend that normally involves practicing Saturday approximately from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and then the following Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the summer, some corps weekends may begin on Friday night. The corps bus and/or van are available for transportation to the practice site (whether it be Friday night or Saturday morning). Many members also carpool. On a typical show day, we begin rehearsal at 9 a.m. and practice until about 4 p.m. We then have a small dinner and get ready for our show (shower, get into uniform, warm up, etc.). We generally perform around 7 or 8 p.m. If the show site is nearby, we head home right after the show. If it is far away, we stay overnight in a prearranged school gym or other facility provided to the corps. We always have instructors, parents, and operations staff to supervise these overnight situations.

The cost to march with the White Sabers is very low. There are NO MEMBERSHIP FEES, and we provide the instruments and uniforms at no cost. You must buy your own marching shoes, black socks, and the black corps t-shirt. The shoes can be purchased through us for about $22, and it is very important that everybody has the right kind of shoes. The corps provides food for a reasonable price of $2 for a continental breakfast, $4.50 for lunch, and $4.50 for dinner. It is not mandatory to buy our food; you can bring your own if you wish. We do not encourage people to leave the premises to eat as getting back to rehearsal on time may be an issue. People who live far away can stay overnight on camp weekends at the Dansville Moose Club or the Masonic Temple in Dansville, depending on which facility is available that weekend. People bring their own sleeping bags, air mattresses, blankets, etc. plus extra clothes and anything else they may need for rehearsal on Sunday. The access to showers is limited, but some are available at the Livingston County Hampton Corners Complex where we practice in the winter and spring just off exit 7 on I390.

It is crucial for members to attend as many camps, practices, and shows as possible. Attendance is important, as it is very difficult to get things done and have a successful organization with people missing. We understand that some conflicts may arise, but we do encourage members to strive for 100% attendance. The White Sabers strongly believe that if there is a conflict with a school related event, high school students should always attend their school function (school comes first!) then arrive at our rehearsal within a reasonable time frame. Although this activity is very intense, it is also very FUN! The White Sabers are a very tight-knit group of wonderful people, and we are very family oriented. We always have a great time together while still getting work done, and that is very important to us. After all, the people are the reason we do this activity in the first place! We believe that marching with the White Sabers will be a very positive experience like no other. I hope that I have given you enough information.

Thank You,

Leslie Amico - Director
White Sabers
www.whitesabers.org