cdm

WOW!

Wasn't there a Heat Wave drum and Bugle corps from Miami in the 1980's? I seem to remember that there was. They had orange uniforms similar to the Bahamian police, and Pith Helmets.

Owning buses seems to be a capital expense that could be expensive to maintain. Unless they are being used for charters during the off season/down time, I don't see owning them as a good business decision. That being said, I will try to help Coastal Surge out with what ever I can spare.

Actually yes, a near bottom place corps who consistently puts a show on the field for decades, is one of the things the activity should be holding up. It shows that at any level, a person can participate. Racine scouts have been in existence since 1927, and keeps going, while other high fliers have flown and burned out in a few years. Racine scouts, and other small corps like them, should be celebrated more, because of their perseverance.

But did you enjoy it, and look back on it with fondness? If the answer is yes, then the corps was successful.

First, don't think of it as ticket sales, or concession sales. Think of it as ticket sales, AND concession sales. Also, I might would try looking for collaborate with someone, since labor seems to be a issue. Have you tried Skyline, or Graters? I also remember a small high end Ice cream maker in the farmers market just north of Downtown Columbus. She did everything in her shop, has a very good product, and she was very, very, hungry. I bet she would love to collaborate with someone. Have them do all the work, in exchange to access to the market you have. Maybe get them to create special products just for your show, that are only available during your show. I will suggest getting to know some of the people at Village Academy, in Powell. My kids went to school there for a while, and they are experts at fundraising, concessions, and events. They have /had a yearly gala that generated almost $200,000 in revenue in one night. They may be willing to help you guys out. I do know they have a good fine arts program, and may be interested in working with a group affiliated with music. Look at the way minor league baseball does it. See these: http://business.time.com/2009/12/07/movie-theaters-make-85-profit-at-concession-stands/ http://www.thundertix.com/ticket-trends/event-concessions-food-truck-vs-venue-kitchen/ http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/blog/queen_city_agenda/2014/06/charlotte-knights-enjoy-big-league-concession.html?page=all

Ralph Harrison is on the design team? Wow!

I totally agree. One can have a amazing, super advanced concept, but if it is dirty, and unrefined, it will always be beaten by a clean, well executed, but simpler, concept. The better executed concept with present itself better.

Ok thanks for the clarification.

As a aside, I love pure western music (Ghost riders in the sky, etc.) And Troopers will always be one of my favorite corps

I think I remember seeing amplified vibraphones on the field in the late 70's - early 80's. They had to have their own power source, if I remember correctly. Anyone know for sure if this is true?

I actually agree with you, and i started getting involved with drum corps in 1978. The casual, one time audience member is the future of Drum Corps. In the end, drum corps has to be run as a business, or it will die. The hard core drum corps fan base that will travel to multiple cities is not big enough to support it at this level, so the local casual high school/college/community band member/musician, and their extended social circle, is the group that should be catered to. And when a casual local band member/musician goes to a drum corps show, and sees the same thing they were doing in high school/college band, then why would they want to come to a drum corps show. More importantly, why would they consider joining a corps, if they can get the same experience at home? I do pine/miss older drum and bugle corps (corps like Northstar, 27th lancers, Bridgemen, etc. Were so much fun to watch, and I still want to shed a tear for those days.) But todays economics is saying that drum corps has to compete with a lot more other things, or it will die. That being said, I dont like Crown's show this year, and the trampolines add nothing to the show. (Like i said, I started in 1978.) I do love Blue Devils this year, however.

Overall, I don't really like dome shows. The music tends to boom, and reverb a lot, (a few times yesterday, at max volume, it sounded like nothing but noise) and there is always tuning issues when warming up outside, then going inside to a different temperature to perform. I feel the same about indoor drumlines

I was just giving You a example of how to make profits on food concessions, I wasn't saying you should start selling barbeque potatoes. I am familiar with the Columbus Ohio market/Mindset (lived there for 5 years) there is a lot of local fare there that could heavily increase your bottom line. All it would take is a open mind, the willingness to think out of the box, and not be satisfied with the status quo. But it is your show/event, and you have the right to run it which ever way you want.

Maybe Crown will get better, and cleaner, and gel at Finals

SCV is the best they have been in years. SCV has a chance for the top three.

Crown's trampolines add nothing to the show overall.

I am surprised Crown took brass. Their show is complex, and They are too dirty still to perform it at top level. Crown needs another month or two to really learn their show, and clean it.

BD brass is amazing! Super tight, and great tone.

Almost, but not quite there.

The trampolines add little to Crown's show.

SCV trombones are not cheap, from the look of them. They are pretty big bore, with triggers. Anyone know the brand?

since the show is in Texas, take a trip to Galveston island/Bolivar peninsula. Many of the post hurricane houses have garages in the center, and sometimes the entire bottom floor.Just saying.......

You are right about trying to do it "right-er". The vast majority of venues around the country make their profit from concessions. You should do a very detailed analysis of your food service to see how you should be making more profit. Low cost revamps of the menu can bring ridiculous profits. We sell a barbeque baked potato in our concessions that is a massive profit leader. The key to it is purchasing correctly (dont waste time with small potatoes. The larger potatoes are easier to handle, cost less per pound in bulk, and has heavy eye appeal to the customer.) Each potato costs us about ten cents, and total costs is about fifty-sixty cents with toppings, and bar b que beef. We sell them for five dollars. Dont make your menu too big, and you should make great profits. Basic things like popcorn should be raking in the profits. 25 - 30 cents to produce, and sell for a dollar plus.

This food truck idea is a excellent idea, and @Garfield, if you are not making a huge profit from food concessions, then you are doing something wrong. In most venues, the ticket sales go to cover expenses, and concessions is the profit center.