THE TIME IS YOURS
Step 1: Register for Auditions through CrownDATA
CrownDATA will be your home for all things Carolina Crown! To get started, simply register for an account and submit an application. The registration fee is $175.00. Once we receive your application and registration fee payment:
You’ll gain access to the audition packet, video resources, and more within your CrownDATA account!
Beginning mid-to-late September, you’ll be able to submit videos to our education team who will evaluate your submission and provide feedback to help prepare you for the audition cycle
You’ll get access to our private Facebook channels which allow you to interact with the staff, vets and other applicants as you all work towards Wearing the Crown!
Step 3: Attend the January Callback Camp & Rehearsals
Tuition & Fees
To be considered for membership in Carolina Crown, you must not only participate in the audition process, but remain up-to-date financially with the drum corps. Member’s tuition and fees account for only a small percentage of the total cost needed to operate the corps. Below you will find a breakdown of the cost for membership.
2026 Audition/Camp Fees
Crown101 Registration - $175
This non-refundable fee must be paid at the time you submit the registration form. It grants access to the audition materials and a video evaluation for feedback from the education staff. This fee does not include a video audition submission. You will only receive the audition materials once your registration is fully submitted and paid.
Note: This fee is waived for returning members. Veterans should contact Allison Combs at allison@carolinacrown.org for assistance.
Video Audition - $95
This separate fee covers the option to submit a video audition.
Camp Fee - $195/camp
This separate fee covers housing, instruction, meals, and other expenses for each pre-season camp. All participants are expected to attend the pre-season camps required for their section. Camp fees are non-refundable unless you notify us of your absence at least one week prior to the camp date.
2026 Tuition/Tour Fees
Tuition/Participation Fee - To Be Announced
As you can imagine, the costs to operate and produce a world-class drum corps such as Crown are enormous! A large portion of our expenses covers food, instruments, equipment, vehicles, show design, instructional staff, housing, fuel, and other necessities. The tuition and fees paid by Carolina Crown members only cover a small part of the overall costs involved in running the summer tour.
Spring Training - Included in Tuition
This fee includes housing at Gardner-Webb University where members sleep in semi-private rooms with meals provided for them in the university food court during the week. In looking at this cost it is below $12 a day for 3 meals (all you can eat) and a private bed to sleep.
Uniform - Included in Tuition
This fee includes use and maintenance of the main components of the uniform, including plumes, unitards, shoes, and gloves for the entire season.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The cost to participate in Crown auditions starts with a $175 non-refundable registration fee, which provides access to all audition materials, educational resources, and includes the option to submit a video audition. While video submissions are accepted, we strongly encourage all auditioning members to attend an in-person camp to get the full experience and receive immediate, hands-on feedback from our staff. There is an additional $195 fee per camp, which covers housing, instruction, meals, and other camp-related expenses. Veteran membersare not required to pay the registration fee; this discount should apply automatically in your CrownDATA account. If it does not, please contact Allison Combs at allison@carolinacrown.org.
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We offer a video audition option for those who are unable to make an audition camp in person. That said, we strongly encourage you to attend a live audition camp if you can! There is a $95 fee to audition by video.
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All previous members of Carolina Crown are required to participate in the audition process for the new season. No former member is guaranteed a spot for this season, but must continue to earn a place amongst the corps by ensuring that they maintain the level of excellence Crown demands. Veteran members of the corps are eligible for free registration for the program and are not required to pay the $175 audition fee. Your CrownDATA account will automatically apply your vet discount when you submit your application. If it does not, please contact Nancy Coates, nancy@carolinacrown.org, for assistance.
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All 165 spots within the corps are open for the 2026 auditions! Each year, we require all returning members to go through the audition process just the same as someone who is brand new to Carolina Crown.
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Yes! We are accepting Drum Major Applicants for the 2026 season.
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As is stated at the time of payment, the registration fee is non-refundable since it provides access to all audition materials. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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Auditioning by video is only open to those unable to attend one of the audition camps. To audition by video, you’ll need to register for the “Video Auditions” event later in the Fall inside your CrownDATA account. There is a $95 fee to audition by video. Your video will be evaluated by staff, and you’ll receive information about your standing within a few weeks.
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As you can imagine, the costs to operate and produce a world-class drum corps such as Crown are enormous! Much of our costs include food, equipment, vehicles, show design, instructional staff, housing, fuel and more. Tuition and fees paid by members of Carolina Crown only account for a fraction of the costs associated with operating the summer tour. Tuition for 2026 is TBD.