The future is now for the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, which opens defense of its 2009 top 12 Drum Corps International finish with its first audition camp on Friday.

Director Fred Morris expects more than 100 to report to Laramie Junior High School by 6 p.m., on Friday, including some 17 from Wyoming -- nearly three times the number of home-state Troopers a year ago.

"By Sunday, they'll be playing the open to the show," Morris said.

Troopers fans, prospective members, parents and curious UW football fans are welcome to stop in anytime on Friday evening, all day Saturday and into the evening or Sunday morning to see what's up, Morris said.

"Except for when they need to sleep, it's a completely open-door policy," he said. "Come on in, see what's happening, talk to whoever you want to."

First-timers and returning members have the option of trying out at this camp, at the one in Laramie Dec. 18-20, or at a satellite camp in Texas on December 5 or Boise on December 12.

"We always say we want the roster completely set by January or February and that's never going to happen," Morris said. "We have all-callbacks in January, and once they are selected, ideally we'd like them to be at every camp from then on."

The January camp is also in Laramie, and February and March camps are set for Fort Morgan, Colo. Morris is working to secure indoor marching space at the University of Wyoming for April.

The Troopers have three fundraisers in full swing this holiday season. They are offering Wyoming-made products in lovely gift baskets that can be ready-made or custom designed, with or without Troopers merchandise and music added in.

They are also preselling fresh evergreen wreaths for $25 that will be delivered the week of December 2, and they are staffing the gift wrap booth inside the Eastridge Mall along with Casper Youth Orchestra for a split in those proceeds from the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.

To order a gift basket or wreath or to volunteer for the gift wrap booth, call 472-2141.

Without revealing specifics, Morris said the 2010 Troopers will stick to their roots, march a "Western-themed show," and start out in spectacular fashion with some flair thrown in.

The governing Drum Corps International announces the official tour schedule for 2010 later this month, but Morris said the Troopers will leave for the competitive circuit on June 19, 2010.

They return to the Rockies on Friday, July 9, for competition in Windsor, Colo., followed by Drums Along the Rockies on Saturday, July 10, in Denver; a Thank You, Cheyenne show on Sunday, July 11 and the Central Wyoming Fair Parade and Thank You, Casper show on Tuesday, July 13.

The DCI World Championships in Indianapolis begin with quarterfinals on August 12, semifinals on August 13 and finals on August 14.

In 2009, the Troopers qualified for the finals for the first time since 1986, before any current Troopers were born.

Morris anticipates the 2010 Troopers will include 72 horns, 36 Color Guard, 31 percussion, two back-field commanders and returning drum major Corey Moore for a total of 142, up from 131 last year.

For more information about auditions or the Troopers, visit troopersdrumcorps.org or call 472-2141.

Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com. Read Sal's blog at tribtown.trib.com/Sal/blog and follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WYOSAS