2013 Attendance numbers are out

[alumniof]

You aren't reading figures accurately. The Super Bowl sells out every year but that doesn't reflect the strength of the individual games. What's the attendance at locals and regionals? And don't forget the tombstones in the DCI graveyard. RIP Glassmen, Music City, Freelancers, Suncoast Sound, Velvet Knights, Bridgeman, Sky Ryders, North Star, Magic, Teal, 27th Lancers.....you got the idea.

Edited August 21, 2013 by alumniof

[OrlandoContraAlum]

You aren't reading figures accurately. The Super Bowl sells out every year but that doesn't reflect the strength of the individual games. What's the attendance at locals and regionals? And don't forget the tombstones in the DCI graveyard. RIP Glassmen, Music City, Freelancers, Suncoast Sound, Velvet Knights, Bridgeman, Sky Ryders, North Star, Magic, Teal, 27th Lancers.....you got the idea.

I am starting to think that you are a lot of fun at parties.

[NR_Ohiobando]

For comparison's sake:

FINALS

2013 Oil Can - 20,381; (6,623 Quarters; 10,457 Semis; Open Class 1,415; TOTAL = 38,877 (World Only = 37,462))

2012 Oil Can - 17,820; (6,647 Quarters; 12,027 Semis; Open Class 1,308; TOTAL = 37,802 (World Only = 36,494))

2011 Oil Can - 17,363; (6,903 Quarters; 12,351 Semis; Open Class 1,191; TOTAL = 37808 (World Only = 36,617))

2010 Oil Can - ?? (Reports say 2011 was an increase over 2010, so make your own estimations)

2009 Oil Can - ??

2008 Bloomington, IN - ??? (I'd estimate somewhere around 20k; The stadium seated about 49k and the entire home half seemed about 95% full)

2007 Pasadena, CA - 24,309 (8,966 Quarters; Semifinals 13,877; Div II/III events 3,221; TOTAL = 50,373 (Div 1 Only = 47,152))

2006 Madison, WI - 21,232 (8,871 Quarters; Semifinals 14,624; Div II/III events 4,190; TOTAL = 48,917 (Div 1 Only = 44,727))

2005 Foxboro, MA - 20,542

2004 Denver, CO - 22,047

2003 Orlando, FL - 18,865

2002 Madison, WI - 20,230

2001 Buffalo, NY - 16,406

2000 Washington, DC - 18,423

1999 Madison, WI - 19,931

1998 Orlando, FL - 12,693

1997 Orlando, FL - 13,773

1996 Orlando, FL - 13,771

1995 Buffalo, NY - 19,100

1994 Foxboro, MA - 24,513

Just looking at the numbers:

* Stay away from Orlando

* Go back West for better numbers.

* Oil Can isn't terrible, but it definitely killed the nice run from 2002 - 2007.

* Band Directors and fans are likely taking huge advantage of the Theater "Big Loud & Live" production rather than actually going to Finals weekend.

* DCI does a nice job of killing Open Class corps and attendance.

* 2013 dropped Semis numbers but raised Finals.

Edited August 21, 2013 by NR_Ohiobando

[drilltech1]

For comparison's sake:

FINALS

2013 Oil Can - 20,381; (6,623 Quarters; 10,457 Semis; Open Class 1,415; TOTAL = 38,877 (World Only = 37,462))

2012 Oil Can - 17,820; (6,647 Quarters; 12,027 Semis; Open Class 1,308; TOTAL = 37,802 (World Only = 36,494))

2011 Oil Can - 17,363; (6,903 Quarters; 12,351 Semis; Open Class 1,191; TOTAL = 37808 (World Only = 36,617))

2010 Oil Can - ?? (Reports say 2011 was an increase over 2010, so make your own estimations)

2009 Oil Can - ??

2008 Bloomington, IN - ???

2007 Pasadena, CA - 24,309 (8,966 Quarters; Semifinals 13,877; Div II/III events 3,221; TOTAL = 50,373 (Div 1 Only = 47,152))

2006 Madison, WI - 21,232 (8,871 Quarters; Semifinals 14,624; Div II/III events 4,190; TOTAL = 48,917 (Div 1 Only = 44,727))

2005 Foxboro, MA - 20,542

2004 Denver, CO - 22,047

2003 Orlando, FL - 18,865

2002 Madison, WI - 20,230

2001 Buffalo, NY - 16,406

2000 Washington, DC - 18,423

1999 Madison, WI - 19,931

1998 Orlando, FL - 12,693

1997 Orlando, FL - 13,773

1996 Orlando, FL - 13,771

1995 Buffalo, NY - 19,100

1994 Foxboro, MA - 24,513

Just looking at the numbers:

* Stay away from Orlando

* Go back West for better numbers.

* Oil Can isn't terrible, but it definitely killed the nice run from 2002 - 2007.

* Band Directors and fans are likely taking huge advantage of the Theater "Big Loud & Live" production rather than actually going to Finals weekend.

What effect might the earlier school openings in Indiana have had on prelims' and semis' attendance?

People sitting in my row at those contests remarked then that 1) the place seemed emptier; 2) noticeably absent were the hoardes of band kids (although they were seen at Finals.)

Even Avon, Indiana (where Crown practices, where many of their staff teach, and who has an award winning BOA band) had opened school this year earlier such that Crown could not reside there. Ditto on nearby Carmel which seemed to have some sort of schooling occuring when I drove through town. School busses galore. Just thinking aloud...

Also while some areas of the country are having an economic rebound, that is not true for many parts known to be loyal to drum corps. Gas prices still are at $4 dollars in a number of States. Hotel prices, airline prices, and food prices (grocery and restaurant) are dramatically up in the past few years. However, I doubt salaries and disposable income are, particularly with the college loan situation confronting recent corps alums and families. Although DCI ticket prices seem to be holding steady, other costs needed to travel to DCI are not.

Edited August 21, 2013 by drilltech1

[NR_Ohiobando]

What effect might the earlier school openings in Indiana have had on prelims' and semis' attendance?

People sitting in my row at those contests remarked then that 1) the place seemed emptier; 2) noticeably absent were the hoardes of band kids (although they were seen at Finals.)

Even Avon, Indiana (where Crown practices, where many of their staff teach, and who has an award winning BOA band) had opened school this year earlier such that Crown could not reside there. Ditto on nearby Carmel which seemed to have some sort of schooling occuring when I drove through town. School busses galore. Just thinking aloud...

If it was a statewide thing then I'd think it would definitely hamper attendance a bit. Maybe only 1-2k, but still, that's a huge prime demographic.

They really start that early? Ohio doesn't start until this week or next.

And just to add on to your edit, yeah I imagine economy is affecting the audience numbers as well. But I also wouldn't be surprised if simple frustration with DCI caused a lot of fans to drop out since 2007-08 (I'm one of them). Honestly if I liked anything DCI designers were doing lately I'd try to shell out money to go out to Indy just based on proximity.

Edited August 21, 2013 by NR_Ohiobando

[Tim K]

I was behind a school bus when I was heading to prelims, a bus that stopped at houses and picked up kids, not just a trial run. At Mass on Sunday before I headed home, the parish celebrated "Back to School Sunday" and the priest asked the kids how they enjoyed their first week of school. I don't remember seeing school busses in 2012. The reason I say this is because last year there were quite a few school groups at semi's. Maybe school being in session could be an explanation. If someone points out that school was in session last year during finals week, this answer is not correct.

[Freedom]

1377109665[/url]' post='3315821']

I am starting to think that you are a lot of fun at parties.

This is fun. But....the points and content are valid, accurate and relevant.

http://vimeo.com/27566023/

Edited August 21, 2013 by Freedom

[drilltech1]

If it was a statewide thing then I'd think it would definitely hamper attendance a bit. Maybe only 1-2k, but still, that's a huge prime demographic.

They really start that early? Ohio doesn't start until this week or next.

And just to add on to your edit, yeah I imagine economy is affecting the audience numbers as well. But I also wouldn't be surprised if simple frustration with DCI caused a lot of fans to drop out since 2007-08 (I'm one of them). Honestly if I liked anything DCI designers were doing lately I'd try to shell out money to go out to Indy just based on proximity.

Yes, they started that early...more in 2013 doing it than in 2012.

And Tim K, I hope you remembered me in your prayers. i certainly need them and have enjoyed both St. John's and Sacred Heart near LOS.

[Quad Aces]

Or it could be promising: more locals could mean more return customers next season. Discounted tickets or no, customers through the turnstiles means money spent on tickets and probably money spent at concessions and/or souvies: money likely not collected in previous years.

DCI itself doesn't see a penny of the concession money (nor do any of the corps). It is a private company that benefits from the event being held in the building, not the other way around.

Edited August 21, 2013 by Quad Aces

[mingusmonk]

If it was a statewide thing then I'd think it would definitely hamper attendance a bit. Maybe only 1-2k, but still, that's a huge prime demographic.

They really start that early? Ohio doesn't start until this week or next.

I was behind a school bus when I was heading to prelims, a bus that stopped at houses and picked up kids, not just a trial run. At Mass on Sunday before I headed home, the parish celebrated "Back to School Sunday" and the priest asked the kids how they enjoyed their first week of school. I don't remember seeing school busses in 2012. The reason I say this is because last year there were quite a few school groups at semi's. Maybe school being in session could be an explanation. If someone points out that school was in session last year during finals week, this answer is not correct.

Great observation for you non-hoosiers. "Balanced Schedules" is the hot new thing. Roughly, this is a shortened summer break, increasing fall, winter and spring breaks to two weeks. A handful of Indiana schools started it a few years ago. This year, there was a significant shift in the adoption rate of Balanced Schedules. Most school corporations foresee it being mandated soon and would rather get a jump on it.

Avon is even mentioned in this article.

http://www.wishtv.com/news/local/marion-county/non-traditional-schedule-sends-students-back-to-class

Otherwise, Semis was the "go-to" night for group band trips around these parts. Good group rates, see more corps. Not fighting competing weekend obligations.

Edited August 21, 2013 by mingusmonk