You are invited to complete the Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization Annual Community Census. With the 50th anniversary of Drum Corps International and the end of our third decade as a participant both on the horizon, the eyes of Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization are laser-focused on the bright and strong future of our organization […]
Welcome Zak Stillwell: Our New Visual Designer
Last week, Zak Stillwell accepted Pacific Crest’s offer to be its new Visual Designer. In addition to designing the drill and staging for the 2022 production, Zak will coordinate with Visual Coordinator Gabe Escobedo to choreograph the corps’ musicians. Zak brings a noted record of success in design, instruction, and choreography, and he is excited […]
Zuniga to Serve as 2022 Artistic Director
Jonathan Zuniga was recently promoted to Artistic Director for the 2022 season. While leading the design team, he will also continue to compose and arrange the front ensemble and electronics scores for the production. Zuniga has been with Pacific Crest since 2017, and most recently served as Music Coordinator and Front Ensemble & Electronics Composer/Arranger. […]
Tony White Elected to Pacific Crest Board
Pacific Crest is pleased to share that Tony White has been elected to the organization’s Board of Directors. A nationally-recognized leader in music education and an accomplished musician, White has had an immeasurable impact on music students throughout the Los Angeles region. In his position as Coordinator, Music & Entertainment Education for the Beyond the […]
Mark Kveton Promoted to Education Programs Director
Pacific Crest is proud to announce that longtime staff member and alumnus Mark Kveton has taken on a new role as the organization’s Education Programs Director. As a former Drum Major for Pacific Crest (2008-2011), Kveton introduced Pacific Crest’s first Drum Major Camp 11 years ago. Since then, the annual program has served more than […]
Pacific Crest Employment: Visual Designer
Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization is seeking a Visual Designer for its 2022 Drum and Bugle Corps. The Visual Designer’s primary responsibility is to stage the Drum Corps production. We seek a creative individual with experience who works best in a collaborative environment. The position description and application can be found at pacific-crest.org/employment. Resumes may […]
JMD 2022 Audition Test
Access to this content requires a subscription to Pacific Crest Virtual Studio. Please visit our Registration Page to log in (if you are a current Subscriber) or purchase a new Subscription. Thank you.
2021 Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl
Saturday, July 31, 2021 8:00 pm Rose Bowl Stadium Pasadena, CA Drum corps is back at the Rose Bowl Stadium! This is your chance to help revive marching music this summer. Reacquaint yourself with live music in one of the world’s most iconic venues. Pacific Crest presents this 90-minute unique event of Southern California drum […]
2021 SoCal Arena Showcase
Tuesday, July 27, 2021 7:30 pm Toyota Arena Ontario, CA A first for Southern California! This is your chance to watch SoCal drum corps up-close in the comfort of a professional arena. Pacific Crest presents this showcase of music and movement by three of Southern California’s DCI corps. Experience the thrill of live performance by […]
Help Us Purchase a Van!
You can help us add this important vehicle to our touring fleet. Transport support staff on tour Staff airport transfers Customizable to our needs COVID quarantine vehicle in 2021 Pacific Crest alumni Craig and Daisey Hilbun are leading the effort to raise $25,000. We are grateful for their leadership and support through their company Hiltop […]
Snare/Tenor Workshops – Fall 2021
Sunday, October 31 (9:00am – 1:00pm)
Sunday, November 7, 2021 (1:00pm – 5:00pm)
Pacific Crest Headquarters
City of Industry, CA
Colorguard Workshop – Fall 2021
Sunday, November 7, 2021
9:00am – 1:00pm
Chino Hills High School
Chino Hills, CA
Drum Major Camps – Summer 2022
Summer 2022 Dates TBA
Statement About the Trial of Derek Chauvin
With today’s guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, we bear witness to a pivotal moment in American history. We recognize, however, that this is not a time for celebration. Our nation still has work ahead of us to advance the cause of justice for all people in this country, regardless of their race, […]
A Look Under the Hood of our 2021 Production
While the final details of our 2021 production are still under consideration, we are excited to peel back the curtain and share an audio excerpt of our arrangement of the film soundtrack to “The Rocketeer.” You can learn more about our 2021 season by attending our Town Hall on Sunday, March 14, at 4 pm […]
2021 Season Update
December 3, 2020 Pacific Crest is pleased to announce that we intend to perform at the DCI events in Indianapolis on August 12, 13, and 14, 2021. We also expect to develop local performances in Southern California during July, that adhere to pandemic restrictions in place at that time. And if pandemic restrictions lift and […]
2021 Information for Prospective Performers
To our prospective 2021 performers: Pacific Crest is pleased to announce that we intend to perform at the DCI events in Indianapolis on August 12, 13, and 14, 2021. We also expect to develop local performances in Southern California during July, that adhere to pandemic restrictions in place at the time. Our priority for these […]
2019 – Trumpet Feature Mvt. 3
Play along to the trumpet feature from “View from Olympus” by Psathas, Movement 3 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Snare – Introduction of Mvt. 1
Play along with the snare line in the introduction to Movement 1 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Tenors – Introduction of Mvt. 1
Play along to the tenor part in the introduction to Movement 1 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Basses – Introduction of Mvt. 1
Play along to the bass line in the introduction to Movement 1 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Cymbals – Introduction of Mvt. 1
Play along to the bass line in the introduction to Movement 1 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Front Ensemble Feature Mvt. 3
Play along to the front ensemble feature from “View from Olympus” by Psathas, Movement 3 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Battery Feature Mvt. 5
Play along to the battery feature from “Insight” by Haywyre, Movement 5 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Brass Hit Mvt. 5
Play along to the brass quintet feature from “Insight” by Haywyre, Movement 5 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
2019 – Quintet Mvt. 5
Play along to the brass quintet feature from “Insight” by Haywyre, Movement 5 of our 2019 production, “Everglow.”
Private Lessons Available
Our private lessons allow you the chance to work with directly with an educator!
High Brass – Technique Manual
A complete guide to the Pacific Crest approach to brass performance.
Visual – Active Warm-Up (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! In this video the visual staff explains how to properly warm-up and stretch your body prior to your rehearsal or home workout routine.
Visual – Ankle and Hip Stretches (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! This video demonstrates and explains several stretches and strengthening exercises to improve your ankle and hip mobility.
Visual – Shoulder Stretches (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! This video demonstrates and explains several stretches and strengthening exercises to improve your shoulder mobility.
Visual – Forward Motion
Detailed breakdown of the posture, approach, and technique of forward motion.
Visual – Backward Motion
Initiation and breakdown of the technique for backward motion.
Visual – Forward-to-Backward
Pacific Crest’s approach to changing from forward to backward motion.
Visual – Backward-to-Forward
Pacific Crest’s approach to changing from backward to forward motion.
Visual – Slides
Breakdown of the slide technique, including upper body rotation.
Battery Audition Packet
The official Pacific Crest audition packet for battery percussion.
Color Guard – Audition Piece
All applicants must learn and perform this flag combo as part of your audition.
Flag – Drop Spins (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Explanation and demonstration of drop spins for flag.
Flag – Carves
Demonstration of carves on flag.
Visual – Dots, Vectors, Mid-Sets (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! This lesson introduces Pacific Crest’s approach to cleaning drill.
Visual – Field References (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! The building blocks for finding our dots and cleaning drill.
Trumpet – Audition Packet
Access to this content requires a subscription to Pacific Crest Virtual Studio. Please visit our Registration Page to log in (if you are a current Subscriber) or purchase a new Subscription. Thank you.
Mellophone – Audition Packet
Includes expectations, technique guidelines and exercises.
Euphonium – Technique Manual
A complete guide to the Pacific Crest approach to brass performance.
Euphonium – Audition Packet
Includes expectations, technique guidelines and exercises.
Tuba – Technique Manual
A complete guide to the Pacific Crest approach to brass performance.
Tuba – Audition Packet
Includes expectations, technique guidelines and exercises.
Making a Good Sound (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Trumpet instructor Matt Collins discusses and demonstrates how to develop a g good sound on the instrument.
Multiple Tonguing Basics (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Trumpet instructor Matt Collins addresses the basics of double and triple tonguing.
High Brass Lyrical Etude – Charlier
Refer to the Trumpet or Mellophone Audition Packet.
Euphonium Lyrical Etude – Rochut
Refer to the Euphonium Audition Packet.
Snare – Milkbone
Tap quality, rhythmic integrity, and energy shifts.
Battery – SD3 (Free!)
An early season video of the 2021 Pacific Crest battery section in the lot. Free of charge and courtesy of marchingvlogs.com.
Battery – Cloud 9 (Free!)
An early season video of the 2021 Pacific Crest battery section in the lot. Free of charge and courtesy of marchingvlogs.com.
Tenors – Milkbone Single-Handed
Tap quality, rhythmic integrity, and energy shifts.
Building Good Tone (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Tuba instructor Derek Fritz demonstrates how to build good tone on the instrument.
Upper Range (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Tuba instructor Derek Fritz demonstrates how to build your upper range on the tuba.
All Brass – Goldman
Refer to page 8 of the Brass Technique Manual.
Tuba Lyrical Etude – Blazhevich
Refer to page 2 of the Tuba Audition Packet.
Tenors – Milkbone Alternating
Tap quality, rhythmic integrity, and energy shifts, played with alternate sticking.
All Brass – Lip Slurs
Refer to Lip Slur Box Drill in your Audition Packet.
Visual – Brass Visual Box Drill
Rudy Ruiz explains the Box Drill portion of the brass audition.
All Brass – Goldman w/Stagger Breathing
This version demonstrates stagger breathing.
All Brass – Clarke E Flat Slurred
Refer to page 10 of the Brass Technique Manual.
Front Ensemble – Audition Packet
Includes expectations, technique guidelines and exercises.
Mallets – Singles (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Playing through all 12 major keys while isolating one hand at a time.
Mallets – Scales
This exercise applies the major scales from “Singles” to an alternating hand exercise.
Mallets – Double Verticals (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! This four-mallet exercise explores the 12 major chords and their inversions.
Mallets – Alternating Strokes
Play close attention to the key signature of this four-mallet exercise.
Cymbals – Audition Packet
The official Pacific Crest 2021 Audition Packet for cymbals
Rifle & Saber – Drop Spins
Explanation and demonstration of drop spins for rifle and saber.
Rifle & Saber – Singles (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Explanation and demonstration of singles on rifle and saber.
Rifle & Saber – Back Hands
Demonstration of the back-hand exercise on rifle and saber.
Rifle – Tosses (FREE!)
Offered free of charge! Demonstration of the basic toss exercise on rifle.
Saber – Triples
Demonstration of the triple toss exercise on saber.
Dance – Plié
Technique and exercise for developing the plié.
Dance – Passé
Technique and exercise for correctly developing the passé.
Drum Major – Audition Packet
Details about our drum major auditions, including FAQs.
Field Conducting #1 (FREE!)
Lesson 1: Posture. This first lesson (offered free of charge) helps you develop the appropriate posture for conducting a field ensemble.
Field Conducting #2
Lesson 2: Anchor and umbrella technique
Field Conducting #3
Lesson 3: Up-Tempo Conducting
Field Conducting #4
Lesson 4: Conducting cut-offs
Field Conducting #5
Lesson 5: Cues, indicating dynamics, and left/right hand independence
Cymbals – Flat Crash Technique
Breaking down the technique of our basic crash at the flat position.
Cymbals – Flat Crash Exercises
Developing a quality flat crash.
Cymbals – Crash Technique Breakdown V1
This is required of your Pacific Crest audition.
Cymbals – Crash Technique Breakdown V2
A second version of the crash breakdown exercise, which is also required of your Pacific Crest audition.
Cymbals – Crash and Crash/Choke
This video demonstration shows the basic crash and crash/coke technique at Pacific Crest.
Cymbals – Walking 8ths
A video demonstration of the Walking 8ths exercise.
Battery – Meterz (Free!)
An early season video of the 2021 Pacific Crest battery section in the lot. Free of charge and courtesy of marchingvlogs.com.
Tenors – Technique #1
Instrument position, playing zones, axes and moving from drum to drum.
Visual – Brass Audition Dance Piece
Brass performers should learn this brief dance piece for your drum corps audition.
Tenors – Technique #2
Quality technique for crossovers and scrapes and how to avoid common problems.
Tenors – Three Strikes
Develop your triple-stroke technique.
Tenors – Paradiddles
Developing combinations of accents, taps, and diddles, the building blocks of paradiddles.
Bass – Paradiddles
Developing combinations of accents, taps, and diddles, the building blocks of paradiddles.
Snare – Three Strikes
Develop your triple-stroke technique.
Snare – Paradiddles
Developing combinations of accents, taps, and diddles, the building blocks of paradiddles.
Snare – Bitty Rolls
Shifting from 16th note diddles to triplet diddles.