We will be rehearsing in the Lake County area. Currently we are at Tavares High School, but use a couple other locations when needed

Anyone not older than 21 years of age as of April 1, 2026 and at least 14 years of age is eligible to be a member of RPT. However, being offered a contract to be with the group is not only dependent on age, but also on your levels of achievement, attitude, and accountability. RPT does not discriminate based on gender, religion, race, sexuality, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. We accept all levels of talent, from beginners to experienced.

RPT competes in the Percussion Independent OPEN class of WGI and FFCC circuits against other groups in the same class. Most of the other competitors are based in locations throughout Florida and the United States, but there are some international groups as well. We normally do 6-8 competitions during the season which is from end of January to mid April. There are usually 2-3 exhibitions during the season also.

It costs approximately $60000 a year to operate the ensemble. Our goal is tp try an keep the fees as low as we can. Member fees vary slightly from year to year. The tuition fee for 2025-2026 season will be $2250.00. for the musicians and $1750 for the visual ensemble. There is a $50.00 Registration Fee or the audition process and then a Commitment Fee of $400.00 once you are contracted and then 5 payments broken down by month from November to April. The fees are paid through multiple installments throughout the season or you can pay a lump sum The Tuition fee helps pay for costumes, props, staff, music, drill, equipment, instruments, rehearsal facilities, competition registration fees, and equipment transportation while at competitions, and much more. Members are responsible for incidentals such as additional member shirts, member jacket, food, under armor shirt.  

RPT Percussion only accepts the most responsible, mature, and motivated people. You must be able to manage your schedule, your practice habits, your finances, and your grades. We are sensitive to the schedule of high school / college band programs and you are expected to attend all required band functions. If you are involved with an indoor group in your school,, scheduling might be a challenge at times but it is possible. You have to keep an open line of communication with your directors and with us ,to make sure that conflicts between the two groups are at a minimum.

We anticipate many members of RPT being involved in drum corps both locally and around the country. We encourage everyone to march during the summer months and we have seen many of our membership in DCI groups. We will do our best to work around drum corps camp schedules.  Please take the advice of our staff when electing to audition for DCI, our staff will be a valuable resource when attending DCI auditions.  **You may only miss 1 rehearsal weekend for a DCI audition. Preferably January

 Yes, if a work schedule does not interfere with RPT’s rehearsal and performance schedule. Although RPT will always try to accommodate a member’s school scheduling conflict (e.g., percussion recital held the day of a rehearsal/MPA), RPT does not consider a work scheduling conflict a valid excuse to miss an RPT rehearsal and/or a performance. Members are expected to give their employer a copy of their schedule and work out their work schedule. If there is a conflict please notify a director immediately

We rehearse primarily on Sundays in October and early November. We switch to Saturdays and Sundays in December. We usually have an additional Friday night prior to a competition and 3 extended camps in December, January and April. We do our best to schedule around school activities. Please check the website regularly for updates and other pertinent information.

Members will be able to participate in multiple fundraisers to help pay for their fees. We also have Business Sponsor forms available. Details on fundraisers will be made available to members at the start of each season. Members in need of financial assistance may also apply for scholarships. There are. 2 available during the season. Information about how to apply for scholarships will also be made available at the beginning of the season. Being a 501© 3 organization, donations are tax-deductible when asking for sponsorships from businesses. 

The Experience Day is designed so that any potential members have the best possible idea of what we are looking for during the audition process.  However,It is required that all people who are planning on auditioning for RPT to attend BOTH audition camps. If for some reason you have a conflict that you are unable to resolve due to a school conflict or some other extenuating circumstance, please let us know ASAP and we will do our best to work out an alternative plan. We do offer video auditions on a case by case situation

The atmosphere in rehearsal is very goal-oriented and focused on achieving excellence in performance, musicianship, and athleticism.  We give plenty of breaks to our members to support the members’ health, something we care very strongly about. Members leave a rehearsal weekend feeling fulfilled, engaged, and eager to return the following weekend.  

Members are REQUIRED to make sure they have reliable transportation to and from rehearsals, fundraisers, and most local competitions. Typically, members will carpool with other members or parents in their area. Members have also taken buses, trains, bikes to rehearsal. We do our best to assist our members have a ride to the rehearsal site or to help set up a carpool. Transportation to FFCC competitions and Championships in Daytona will some times travel in a van when it is available otherwise members will carpool or go with parents. For WGI Championships in Dayton Ohio transportation is provided by RPT. ****Note please understand that we are not a Transportation Hub. We expect our members to take the responsibility in setting up their transportation, that is part of being in an independent group. We will assist as necessary. 

 Members are responsible for their meals/snacks while at rehearsals for RPT Percussion. We will occasionally provide a meal for the entire group, We do ask any parents that would like to volunteer to donate or provide meals for rehearsals and especially the Monster camp weekends . RPT encourages members to choose to eat healthy, as we strongly care about the health of our members. A health professional will attend some rehearsals to educate our members about improving their health and give them advice on how and what to eat during a rehearsal weekend.