Frequently Asked Questions - All FAQs

In preparation for the summer tour, the corps will begin holding full day rehearsals on Memorial Day weekend.  These rehearsals will continue until the corps leaves for the competitive summer tour.  The corps will also participate in some parades and local exhibitions during this time period.

Members will be expected to move to Milwaukee for the summer as soon as they possibly can to participate in as much of spring training as possible. For many members this will occur on Memorial Day weekend. For other members who are still in school, they have to move in as soon as possible after completing their school year.

It is the corps policy that school comes before corps. This applies to all camps and spring training. If you are still in school when spring training begins, you will be expected to move to Milwaukee as soon as possible after completing your school year. Some schools may allow you to work ahead and take exams earlier.  The sooner you can join the corps at spring training, the better the corps will be when the competitive summer tour kicks off.

It is essential that you communicate with the corps director and your caption head regarding your school schedule and your expected move in date.

The corps goes on tour from mid-June through mid-August. The tour takes the corps around the upper midwest early in the season. As the season goes on, the corps travels to competitions in more distant locations such as Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and other states along the east coast. The season concludes with the Drum Corps International World Championships which are held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

Pioneer owns five coach buses, an equipment truck, a cook truck appropriately named the Shamrock Diner.

The corps provides 85% of all meals on tour. The meals are prepared in the corps' food truck, appropriately nicknamed the "Shamrock Diner". The members receive a minimum of three meals a day and are in most cases served a snack at night after the competition or practice. When circumstances don't allow the corps to prepare a meal (ex. During travel days), the corps will stop at fast food restaurants and the members will be responsible for purchasing their own meal.

All housing is provided by the corps. The corps stays in middle schools, high schools, and occasionally in other suitable venues in the communities that are hosting competitions.

You will not have many chances to spend your money. You will usually only need money for buying something to eat or drink at a rest stop at night, for laundry, or when the corps has a free day. The corps provides 85% of the summer meals. You will purchase most of the other 15% when we are traveling a long distance.

Do not bring a lot of money. Having large amounts of money on the road is just inviting trouble and you probably won't use it all anyway. Pioneer will not be responsible for money being held by an individual member that is lost, stolen, or left lying about. 

The Corps is scheduled to have weekly clothes washing stops that take place in a brief 4-hour time slot. Members should be prepared, however, to go up to 10 days between laundry days as the schedule doesn't always allow for laundry days to be scheduled at exact intervals.

A weekly stop to a Wal-Mart or at a similar all-purpose store is scheduled weekly for necessary re-supplying of personal items. A 1 ½ hour time slot is adequate!

Pioneer allows its members to have and use cell phones after the activities for the day have been completed. This includes rehearsals and/or performances. The use of a cell phone as a clock is not a valid excuse; buy an inexpensive watch. Unfortunately, there is the possibility of forgetting electronic devices (or the charger) at the housing site or having them stolen by outsiders since the devices are not allowed at rehearsal. If you choose to not bring a cell phone, several administrative staff members have cell phones on tour that you are welcomed to use for emergencies and short calls home. Additionally, the corps receives mail regularly. Emergency calls from home are directed to the management staff on tour. Any items you bring on tour are YOUR responsibility. Be aware that there are minimal accessible plug-ins for power and few opportunities for you to do email on tour. Pioneer is not responsible for any property that is lost, damaged or stolen while with the corps.

Pioneer will do everything possible to have the corps 100% drug free. Drugs are not permitted or to be used at Pioneer rehearsals, camps, functions and on any part of the tour.

Alcohol is not permitted or to be used at Pioneer rehearsals, camps, functions, or during any part of the tour, regardless of the Member’s age.

Pioneer is concerned with the possibility of any negative influence Members might have on others and failure to follow these rules may result in immediate dismissal from Pioneer. The appropriate action will be determined by the Executive Director of the Corps, after consultation with Staff personnel, and legal and/or medical authorities if necessary.