audiodb Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Granted, Dublin's not a typical HS stadium - it seats 5,000. But, at last year's show there were 8 corps, only one of which was a G7 corps and ticket prices averaged $22. If the lineup were all 7 of the "top" corps, ticket prices could easily double. Who wouldn't pay $45 to see the top 7 in one place? The stands would be packed. Double does not equal triple. Hopefully, whoever makes the decisions on venue selection and ticket pricing realizes that. You think kids come to drum corps shows because it's DCI? Jeesh, you're living under a rock. It's a provable fact that drum corps fans come only to see the headliners - the best of the best. And how much more "special" can you get than that? My point was not even about who the headliners are, or will be. The point is that for now, these "special shows" will receive a whole lot of support from established DCI marketing efforts. They are already on the DCI.org schedule and in the DCI.org press release. But that's the point, isn't it? There are too many local shows (that are not worth the effort to drive to for a $4000 fee). And too many corps. Cut it back to an efficient number, like seven. Seriously, though, there is not much effort involved in "driving to" a show once you are already on that tour. Stopping at shows between Atlanta and Allentown adds paydays without adding miles. If this were not true, the G7 would have stopped doing weekday shows already. The money does work. Half as many shows that pay twice as much, even after rain insurance and a small stipend to the local band. The school will be tickled to charge a fee for the stadium. And, hey, with MIMPA doing all the promotional work to produce the show, the TEP team volunteers won't have anything to do so they can just buy a ticket like everyone else and enjoy the show! Who will man the ticket booth, then? Who will man the gates? Who will provide all the other volunteers necessary to run a contest? And who will do the local legwork, establishing connections with local businesses to add to the sponsor list and expand marketing at the level the DCI machine cannot reach? TEPs provide a number of vital suppport functions that neither the lean DCI office staff nor their too-few corps can. Throwing that baby out with the bath water would erode the activity's fan base and financial support. Perhaps the G7 don't mind such erosion, though, if they're downsizing the activity to begin with.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccerguy315 Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 TEPs provide a number of vital suppport functions that neither the lean DCI office staff nor their too-few corps can. Throwing that baby out with the bath water would erode the activity's fan base and financial support. Perhaps the G7 don't mind such erosion, though, if they're downsizing the activity to begin with.... Hop and Gibbs will do it all. Don't worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeN Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 so wait...the guys that cried about having to do the DCW/DCE/DCM model are now returning to a model like that? But that defies all of their publicized 'logic" for doing away with it. yet again, proof that the guys who made DCI the mess they feel it is have no ####### clue and are not being held accountable. I interviewed a top corps director right after the DCM split. It wasn't so much the philosophy of the idea that was the issue; it was the fact they couldn't travel out of area if they wanted, that they were supporting events that were continually running at a loss, and that the circuit was at times being run on sheets of notebook paper out of the trunk of a car. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfield Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Double does not equal triple. Hopefully, whoever makes the decisions on venue selection and ticket pricing realizes that. :tongue:/> My point was not even about who the headliners are, or will be. The point is that for now, these "special shows" will receive a whole lot of support from established DCI marketing efforts. They are already on the DCI.org schedule and in the DCI.org press release. And too many corps. Cut it back to an efficient number, like seven. :tongue:/> Seriously, though, there is not much effort involved in "driving to" a show once you are already on that tour. Stopping at shows between Atlanta and Allentown adds paydays without adding miles. If this were not true, the G7 would have stopped doing weekday shows already. Who will man the ticket booth, then? Who will man the gates? Who will provide all the other volunteers necessary to run a contest? And who will do the local legwork, establishing connections with local businesses to add to the sponsor list and expand marketing at the level the DCI machine cannot reach? TEPs provide a number of vital suppport functions that neither the lean DCI office staff nor their too-few corps can. Throwing that baby out with the bath water would erode the activity's fan base and financial support. Perhaps the G7 don't mind such erosion, though, if they're downsizing the activity to begin with.... Ah, I knew you'd nail my subtle hints. I could go into the weeks of preparation it takes to pull off our show, but I assume that the G7 already know what it takes. They run their own shows. But, of course, they have no contact with our local community, but EVERYONE knows that the school is just waiting to hear from MIMPA so they can host a show. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corbin Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I interviewed a top corps director right after the DCM split. It wasn't so much the philosophy of the idea that was the issue; it was the fact they couldn't travel out of area if they wanted, that they were supporting events that were continually running at a loss, and that the circuit was at times being run on sheets of notebook paper out of the trunk of a car. Mike You mean DCI doesn't know how to manage money along with so many corps directors and management. Perish the thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garfield Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I interviewed a top corps director right after the DCM split. It wasn't so much the philosophy of the idea that was the issue; it was the fact they couldn't travel out of area if they wanted, that they were supporting events that were continually running at a loss, and that the circuit was at times being run on sheets of notebook paper out of the trunk of a car. Mike And I'm presuming that the singular DCI "central planning" fixed all of that. No, you say? So, now we go back to that model? /sarcasm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Windish Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 . . . . and then there's the issue of providing corps housing, something TEPs used to provide at their cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiodb Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I interviewed a top corps director right after the DCM split. It wasn't so much the philosophy of the idea that was the issue; it was the fact they couldn't travel out of area if they wanted, that they were supporting events that were continually running at a loss, and that the circuit was at times being run on sheets of notebook paper out of the trunk of a car. Mike, it's not like you to purposely misrepresent the facts, so I'm going to assume you haven't looked at that interview in awhile, and are allowing time to blur your memory of it. Please take another look. You will find: 1. Corps could travel wherever they wished. Their gripe was that appearance fees were not equal from region to region. 2. Said director speculated that one event was probably running at a loss in the one year anecdotally mentioned. 3. There was a difference of opinion among DCM directors about the degree and rate to which new technology should be embraced. Laptops were still luxuries, and smartphones a thing of the future, so relying on e-mail for correspondence even during tour was nice for some and unworkable for others. There were other criticisms about the timing of show contracts and housing arrangements, and vague derision directed at the bookkeeping practices, but to say that the whole circuit was "run on sheets of notebook paper out of the trunk of a car" is just not accurate. And frankly, it was philosophy that prevented any sort of compromise. The director interviewed, speaking on DCI's behalf, contended that granting the all-age corps any kind of membership or voting rights in the DCI-operated region was not even on the table for negotiation because of some sort of philosophical belief that DCI-the-youth-organization could not legally allow that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 . . . . and then there's the issue of providing corps housing, something TEPs used to provide at their cost. Back then the cost for housing was maybe having to pay a school custodian because all that was required was a band director to open the school doors; now housing costs are upwards of $1000 per night because the schools are charging large rental fees for housing a corps. So, of course the corps have to pay for that costs today; unless you are advocating that the TEP today should have to eat maybe upwards of an additional $10,000 in housing costs to host a show? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CACTSC Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Back then the cost for housing was maybe having to pay a school custodian because all that was required was a band director to open the school doors; now housing costs are upwards of $1000 per night because the schools are charging large rental fees for housing a corps. So, of course the corps have to pay for that costs today; unless you are advocating that the TEP today should have to eat maybe upwards of an additional $10,000 in housing costs to host a show? Nope. TEPS DO pay for housing costs for one night. (Part of the contract with DCI) If a corps wants additional nights then it is negotiated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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