GENERAL INFORMATION
Education, Experience, and Equipment:
NEC Winds are an all-age marching wind ensemble that anyone can participate in. There are no audition requirements and there is no prerequisite skill-level required. If you are worried that you are not at a level of marching and musicianship to do this activity, we have an educational staff that are more than willing to help you get to the level you need to be at in order to succeed. The ensemble provides instruments for brass players only as well as uniforms for the entire season.
Schedule:
NEC Winds are an all-age marching wind ensemble that only rehearses and performs on the weekends. Click below to see our current schedule for the 2017 season.
Tuition:
The tuition to participate for NEC Winds for our 2017 season is $100, which must be paid in full by June 25th, 2017. If at any time finances are an issue for you, we can discuss with you ways in which we can help you march. We encourage those who may have issues to contact us and discuss it sooner rather than later so that we can work something out.
Transportation and Conflicts:
You are expected to provide your own transportation to and from rehearsals. But if transportation is an issue, arrangements can be made through a voluntary member supported car pool program. Buses will be provided for high profile events. Conflicts and emergencies are also understandable and we will work with you in regards to conflicts as long as the administration is given notice about it as soon as possible. If there is an emergency and you cannot attend, we ask that you call the NEC Winds director, Nick Yaworski, so that we are aware. School activities take precedence over NEC Winds activities and if there is a scheduling conflict, advise the Director as soon as possible so that we can work something out.
Drum Corps International (DCI) and Soundsport:
Drum Corps International (DCI) is the largest governing body of junior drum and bugle corps in the United States and Canada. Through DCI, we are a competitive ensemble in a recently new activity called Soundsport. Unlike DCI, these groups can have people of all ages and is a loosely competitive environment focused on entertaining the crowd and is more relaxed. Most DCI drum corps go on long three month tours where they compete in shows every one to two days and travel from place to place. It is a very intensive schedule and members are away from home for a very long period of time. The huge benefit to marching a DCI Soundsport ensemble like NEC Winds is that we only rehearse on the weekends for the entire season so that you can maintain a social life at home, continue to work your job(s), and not let drum corps interfere with your daily life. In addition, our tuition is a fraction of most DCI corps, where the tuition to march is easily over $3000 per season. NEC Winds also has very qualified educators who can help you get to the next level of musicianship and marching, assuring that you are getting a high quality education and experience. We are an excellent option for anyone who wants to be involved with the marching arts at a lower price, but still wants a high quality experience. Click below for more information on DCI's Soundsport program.