How much does it cost to march Fusion Core?
Tuition for the 2027 season is $2,850.
We understand that participating in drum corps is a financial commitment, and we want our members and families to understand exactly what their tuition helps provide.
Fusion Core is a weekend-only, DCI All-Age drum corps, offering members the opportunity to experience DCI while continuing to balance school, work, and family responsibilities.
Unlike corps located closer to the majority of competitions, our Florida location requires us to travel considerable distances throughout the season. Transportation and housing represent a significant portion of our operating expenses, but we're committed to making the drum corps experience as accessible and affordable as possible.
What does your tuition include?
Your tuition helps cover the many expenses involved in providing a full season of drum corps, including:
DCI onboarding and required training
Music licensing and performance rights
Rehearsal facility rentals
Show design and production materials
Uniforms and costumes
Housing on Saturdays during the summer, designated travel and performance weekends
Instruments, equipment, and ongoing maintenance
Transportation to and from scheduled competitions, including DCI All-Age
Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana
Equipment truck maintenance, fuel, and repairs
Select meals throughout the season
Monthly Administrative costs
Our goal is to provide a quality drum corps experience while keeping additional out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum.
Audition and Camp Fees
The registration fee for Member Experience Day is $75.
Additional camps attended before being offered a contract are also $75 per camp.
The good news? All audition and camp fees paid before receiving your contract will becredited toward your season tuition! These fees are not an additional expense on top of your $2,850 tuition. There are some additional out of pocket expenses (shoes, headgear, undergarments, gloves, etc.)
Payment Plans
We understand that paying tuition all at once isn't realistic for many members, so we offer installment plans to help spread the cost over several months.
Members are typically contracted according to the following timeline:
Brass: Generally by the January camp
Percussion: Following winter video auditions, in-person camps, and evaluations, typically by May
Color Guard: Generally, by May
Once contracted, members will receive a monthly payment schedule, with tuition required to be paid in full by July 15, 2027.
Members who would like to make their payments more manageable may begin contributing toward their tuition as early as December.
Installment plans are set up through automatic payments. Credit cards are accepted, although ACH/bank payments are preferred to help avoid additional credit card processing fees. We also offer AFFIRM which is a pay-over-time service.
Tuition Discounts
Early Payment Discount
We also offer a $100 early payment discount for members who pay their tuition in full by the
following deadlines:
Brass: February 28, 2027
Percussion and Color Guard: May 31, 2027
With the early payment discount, your total season tuition is reduced to $2,750 and remember, if you’re a vet, you also will receive a 10% discount, because marching multiple years literally pays!
Pays to stay
1+ year – 10% discount
3+ years - 20% discount
5+ years – 30% discount
10+ years – 50% discount
Bring a Friend
For every friend you bring who gets contracted, stays and pays, you will receive $50.00 towards your last payment.
Family Discount
When multiple family members from the same household join Fusion for the season, each family member will receive a $25 discount (up to $100 per family).
Parental/Family Involvement
For every family member who volunteers for a full day of rehearsal or a show day, the member will receive $50.00 towards their tuition. If a family member volunteers for the entire season (attends at least 75% of full season rehearsals and all shows), the member will receive a 50% reduction in tuition.
Scholarships
DCI offers scholarships for various categories of marching members. For more info, visit https://www.dci.org/scholarship-opportunities-2026/. (2027 scholarship information will be posted as it becomes available.)
Fundraising
Fusion will provide Sponsorship letters. Some members have paid off their entire tuition withthese sponsorship letters. If you have a local coffee shop, pizza place or salon that you visit regularly, ask them for a donation. They typically love the opportunity to give back.
Family asking what you want for the holidays? Give them a sponsorship form AND it’s a tax deductible donation.
Calendars are also a quick, easy way to raise funds. You can find the calendar fundraisers on SLACK, our member communication platform.
In addition, there are the traditional fundraisers, popcorn, chocolate, Krispy Kreme, etc. If you have a desire and a little hustle, you can make it happen!!
We're Investing in Your Experience
At Fusion Core, we work hard to manage expenses, secure facilities, maintain equipment, coordinate transportation, and provide an experienced instructional team.
Our mission has always been about more than what happens on the field. It's about the friendships, growth, memories, life lessons and experiences that stay with our members long after the season ends.
We know drum corps is an investment, and we're committed to making your Fusion Core experience leaving you feeling “Changed For The Better”! 💜💚
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