FAQ
Tuition, Costs, and Payment Plans
You will pay a total of $800 to AmbitiousPA, including a $50 audition fee and $750 tuition.
Read more about total costs on the Cost and Payment Page, linked here!
What is Indoor Winds?
In a phrase: indoor competitive marching band!
Check out WGI.org to learn more.
Unlike DCI, indoor put on shorter programs and rehearse part-time, so that you can stay in school or hold a job while also participating.
Can woodwinds join?
YES!
We are open to all standard band instruments.
Can percussion join?
Yes!
We are currently seeking a drumset player! If that is you, please submit the audition form! We'll offer a $100 scholarship in addition to need-based for our drumset player for the 2026-27 season.
Other percussion...
We do not expect to field a battery line this coming season, and we do not own marching or front-ensemble instruments. It would take some logistic maneuvering for us to get some equipment, you may be the only batter member, and you may incur rental fees. But if that all sounds good to you, then absolutely!
When and where are rehearsals?
When:
Saturdays! December through March (or April if we go to Dayton, OH)
Where:
We are not yet sure. We're inquiring!
The tentative plan is Westminster, CO.
Competitions Schedule
Check out the full up-to-date schedules at https://rmpa.org/competitions
Can I march while in high school?
Maybe— depends on your school.
If your school has an indoor program (even if it is indoor perc or winter guard), then we will need written approval from your ensemble director saying you are allowed to join our independent group instead of your schools.
students of Heritage High School: we have blanket approval for you to participate! We will confirm with Mr. Elks once we have our finalized audition list, but you can safely assume that you are good to participate.
While it is technically possible for you to compete in multiple RMPA ensembles, we urge against it due to likely schedule overlap.
Per WGI policies, your school ensemble takes precident over any independent group until you graduate, with some exceptions.
When do I age out?
Never!
Well, at least there is no formal age limit. As long as you're physically able to perform in the ensemble, then you have a good shot at a contract.
What's on the audition?
The audition will be a regular rehearsal, but without the commitment of competing or going on after 1 week. In other words, it's a "try-it-day". It will include:
posture / visual character
marching instruction (learning our technique)
playing fundamental music exercises (ie Bb major scale, remmingtons/F-stretch/1A, and/or a chorale)
skill show-and-tell (esp if you indicated a unique skill, this will be a huge help to our creative design plan)
conversations (ie chance to meet your peers/network)
You do not need to prep anything in advance! But do note that, if you marched with Ryan before, you may be in for a surprise on something this ensemble will do differently...
Since this ensemble is open to beginners, this audition will evaluate you in the following areas, with the following weights (totaling to 10, higher number means it matters more). A score of 71% or higher earns a contract offer.
5 - Ability to apply feedback / learn a new skill
3 - Attitude / be-a-good-person
2 - Work ethic
1 - Skills / technical abilities (both marching and musical)
If you are unable to attend on December 5, 2026, all is not lost. You can schedule an alternative audition by reaching out to the ensemble director!
kilgroe@contact.ambitiouspa.org
What will our show/music be?
All of our music will be original, custom-written music for our ensemble. As will our drill and choreography.
As for show-theme, our creative team will meet after auditions to discuss the plan. Once we have it solidified, we will introduce it to the ensemble before the world.
The show will be around 6 minutes in length, so that we can be compliant with timing rules regardless of which class we are bumped up to after the season begins.
The show will include elements of music, marching, and choreography, as we are judged on our presentation and effects of both music and visuals.