Raiders

Corps Snapshot

Snapshot ratings are comparative directory estimates. The 2027 membership site says tuition will be set after the travel itinerary is finalized, with an announcement expected by the end of 2026. The 2026 tuition was $4,200. A $50 registration charge is listed for members, increasing to $150 for members who join after February 1; check the specific camp checkout for current charges. Sources: 2027 membership and tuition · DCI 2026 finals results.

Raiders at a glance

Raiders is a New Jersey-based DCI Open Class drum and bugle corps serving young performers through music, movement, leadership, and character development. It is a program of A+ Education and Performing Arts, a New Jersey nonprofit. The corps draws from the New Jersey and Philadelphia region and tours nationally in summer. Its published mission emphasizes access to performing arts education for young people from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

Raiders Videos

Watch the corps’ 2026 ThreadworX send-off performance, a full program presentation for friends and family ahead of championship week.

Open the performance on YouTube. Video credit and availability are controlled by the uploader.

Contact Raiders

Raiders is operated by A+ Education and Performing Arts. The organization lists its administrative address as 259 Nassau St., #168, Princeton, NJ 08542. For general questions, call 855-724-3371 or use the official contact page. For audition and camp questions, use the Join Raiders form. The corps lists Facebook and Instagram among its social channels; verify current account links on the official link page.

Raiders on Social Media

Social links from the supplied directory. Labels show where each link was published. Public-profile and source-reference links were not independently confirmed through a corps website; shared organization channels and older accounts are noted.

From around the web

RaidersPrinceton, New Jersey

From a small first season to a DCI title

George Lavelle Jr. founded the Raiders in 1990 with an initial board that included George Lavelle Sr., Trent Smith, Clarence Jackson, and Anthony Bestreski. After planning and preparation, 25 members took the field on June 22, 1991. The corps competed locally and finished second in the Garden State Circuit that first season. Its early growth led to tours across the Midwest and appearances in DCI Division III preliminaries. The official alumni history preserves this foundation.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, Raiders moved between the then separate Division II and Division III classes as the organization balanced scale and travel costs. It won Garden State Circuit titles and became a regular DCI finalist. In 2005, Raiders won the Division III World Championship. Two years later, after moving back to Division II, the corps finished sixth. DCI later combined the divisions into today’s Open Class. DCI describes the organization as a finalist in its division every year since 2001, with the exceptions of 2018 and 2022; its 2005 title remains a defining milestone. DCI corps profile.

Recent seasons and the 2026 production

Raiders placed tenth in Open Class in 2023, seventh in 2024 with a score of 73.375, and seventh again in 2025 with 73.750. At the August 4, 2026 Open Class Finals in Dayton, Raiders finished eighth of 12 finalists with 72.025. Those year-to-year placements offer context for the program’s competitive arc without suggesting that a single result predicts the next season. Official 2026 DCI scores.

The 2026 production was ThreadworX. DCI announced the show in July, and its Open Class Finals page documents the season’s final result. The corps performs a field show combining brass, percussion, and color guard; its about page describes staging, movement, dance, and equipment work as part of the ensemble’s approach. DCI’s 2026 program announcement.

Auditions and who can join

The corps says all positions are available at the beginning of each season and welcomes candidates without prior drum corps experience. Applicants audition at a camp or submit a video, including remote candidates who live far from rehearsal. The general program page describes its age range as 14–21; check the season’s specific eligibility wording with staff before registering. Auditions consider willingness and ability to learn, talent, physical fitness, attendance commitments, and financial readiness. Read the 2027 audition information and register.

As of October 2026, the posted 2027 opportunities include a one-day Maryland clinic in Frederick on November 15, a Pennsylvania clinic in Birdsboro on November 22, a full weekend in Millville, New Jersey, December 4–6, and another full weekend January 15–18, 2027. A Houston-area clinic is still listed as to be determined. Video auditions are also offered. Dates and locations can change, so check the live camp calendar and registration page before traveling. Current camp calendar.

Tuition and planning

The official recruitment page lists 2026 season tuition at $4,200 and says 2027 tuition is being determined from the final travel itinerary and the cost of buses and housing. The corps expects to announce the 2027 amount by the end of 2026. A payment plan is available; full tuition is due within 30 days of a membership offer or at the next camp, whichever comes first, and financial obligations must be paid by June 15 to remain in good standing. The page lists discounts for returning multi-year members, fundraising credits, scholarships, and sponsorship. Check the corps’ current tuition and payment details.

A one-time registration charge is listed separately: $50 for members, with a $150 charge for members who participate after February 1. Camp fees may also apply and vary by event; the ticket checkout is the best source for an individual camp’s current price. Budget for travel to auditions and camps as well as the summer commitment. Do not treat last season’s tuition as a quote for 2027.

Rehearsal, tour, and member experience

The published annual pattern starts with one weekend of rehearsal each month from November through March, then two weekends in April, three in May, and the first three weekends in June. A late-June move-in begins a local tour that returns after Independence Day; the corps then regroups for a national tour in mid-July and returns home in mid-August. This shorter early-season cadence can suit some students, but the full summer still requires substantial travel and availability. Confirm the calendar for the season you are considering. Schedule and program details.

Parents, alumni, and community volunteers support rehearsal and tour operations. Raiders invites volunteers to help with food, transportation, medical support, equipment, uniforms, merchandise, and media. Its volunteer page notes that staff and volunteers have defined roles and may have onboarding requirements; ask the corps about screening, credentials, and time commitments for a specific position. Volunteer information.

• DCI: Raiders profile and organization overview
• DCI: 2026 Open Class Finals results
• DCI: Raiders reveal the 2026 production, ThreadworX
• Raiders: alumni and history archive
• Raiders: mission, eligibility, and season schedule
• Join Raiders: tuition, payment plans, and auditions
• Join Raiders: 2027 camp dates and registration
• Raiders: registration and member payments
• Raiders: volunteer roles
• Raiders: organizational policies
• Raiders: education and design team
• Raiders: official social links

Planning note: Audition dates, fees, tuition, eligibility, and travel arrangements may change. Confirm details directly with Raiders before making travel plans or accepting a membership offer.

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THE VIDEO ARCHIVE

Watch Raiders

Explore 90 curated videos from this corps.