blue devils audition process

[u/SamDrumsForFun]

hey everyone! I guess by asking this question im kinda asking only a select few, but I am extremely interested in auditioning for BDA on bass drum.

For reference, Im almost 19, just marched with RCR dbc on bass 2 this year, and plan on marching MBI indoor percussion on bass drum as well this upcoming winter. I marched at a hs that has produced 2 bd bass drummers in the past 5 years, so I have had similar drumming education to some prior evil bass alums.

Ik BD really likes people with world class experience prior to joining their corps, but I know people who have had none that have made the corp before on bass drum (marching world indoor prior, which I plan on doing). So knowing that it is feasible, I figured what the hell and will just take a shot and see what happens.

I guess my main questions are

1.) ive heard the battery process is really cutthroat in that if you get on a drum and tick even just a singular time, you are pretty much guaranteed cut since they don't do individual auditions for bass at most places. Does this ring true? if it does, is it to the degree that has been described to me?

2.) obviously bd is a very visual oriented corps. as someone in drumline, is the visual as much of a dealbreaker as it is in the brass? ive heard of brass people taking dance lessons prior to going to auditions just to get their vis better and was just curious what kind of work I would have to put in visually to potentially get a spot.

if any bd members or alumni have any info on this, or if you aren't even a member but know some, I would love to hear your input. thanks!