Santa Clara Vanguard 2023 Announcement Thread

[totaleefree]

6 hours ago, C.Holland said:

Look at the math. Just a season of the basics is 500-650k for travel, 600- 700 for facilities, 500-600k for food. 

I know a corps that relied mainly on volunteers, had an old food trailer and spent about a third of that on food.  I know food is an important part of keeping a corps going, and I was a big advocate of increasing what they spent on food. However  things like this need to be looked at if other corps are spending a lot less and feeding their folks well.

[totaleefree]

I cried when I heard the announcement, I told people to not jump to conclusions when SCVC announced they were not going out.   SCV had been my fav since 1985, even though I neverr marched with them and spend most of my time helping other corps SCV still has a place in my heart. In the early 80's we had an arms race and many top corps killed themselves by going into debt for one season hoping that it would be the year that they broke through only to not be able to fund a run the next season.  Blue stars though did mount a comeback, a long and winding process but they are back in the top ranks again and I am sure the lessons learned are still in their leaderships minds

[Terri Schehr]

I’m thinking it would be things coming full circle if SCV staff went to Troopers after the opposite happened in the late ‘60’s and helped make Vanguard great.  Of course, both were top corps in the early ‘70’s.  Different times, different scenarios.  

[totaleefree]

6 hours ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

I would suggest an ‘all of the above’ approach to cutting costs.  Going from 3 semis to 2 semis may not save much, but it will save some.  Going from 4 snare techs to 3 may not save much, but it will save some.   Going from 85 brass to 70 brass, pit of 17 to pit of 12 etc will save some money, perhaps one less bus.  It all adds up.  

If you have a bus you need to fill it. so dropping numbers you would have to drop 55 marchers or so to save money on a bus. In 2019 Jersey surf cut a bus and it helped their finances. also it allowed then to not have to recruit in the late spring and early season.

[totaleefree]

6 hours ago, jwillis35 said:

I agree. The arms race in a few areas has hurt. The amount of money being paid to some designers and caption heads is crazy. If you can afford it then fine. But what happens with some "big-name" corps is they get desperate to keep up with the Jones because of who they are, where they think they should be placing, and trying to keep up with their brand. Because of this they spend money they don't have.

 

Unfortunately the jonzes might not be there this summer for folks to keep up with. 

[drumcorpsfever]

6 hours ago, jameseuph said:

People said that in 1971 too. Here we are 50+ years later. 

It’s a different era. In 1971 there were many local corps throughout the country. Shows were community held at smaller venues. Those who what wanted to march, could. Dues and fees were low. Budgets of most corps were sustainable by Tag Days, bake sales, BINGO and local sponsors.  The touring model was limited to few corps (like the Troopers). 

No comparison to today. Budgets well north of a million dollars, member fees and expenses (with travel) getting dangerously close to $10,000 a year. Yes, that much. Also consider the time commitment for each member. No summer job and all.  Easy 5-figure price tag for MM. BINGO has been obliterated by on-line gambling, casinos, and a declining population of BINGO goers 

Now, think about the scale of DCI  A few remaining corps spread thin across the country  

Question:’Would any reasonable investor create a business model for a non-scholastic Marching Band based on today’s world? 
 

Drum Corps is only a remnant of what it once was  The world is a different place - and a shame SCV will not be a part of it in 2023  The ONLY drum corps that had been in each DCI finals since 1972  The era ends there too  

 

 

[Jeff Ream]

6 hours ago, IllianaLancerContra said:

I agree - while you can see trends on a series of 990s, to really understand what is going on we would need to see the actual, itemized revenues and expenses, down to the $1 level.   
 

One guy I marched with is a forensic accountant - but I really hope it doesn’t have to get to the point where someone with his expertise is required.  

The whole activity needs that expertise 

[Jeff Ream]

6 hours ago, Newseditor44 said:

Your numbers for techs are a tad bit too high. And yes, I said too high. A majority of those techs will be with the corps for a week, tops. A majority do it for the experience, not the money. Nobody is getting rich. 

Hell techs would be thrilled to make that

[scheherazadesghost]

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Edited June 13, 2023 by scheherazadesghost

[Terri Schehr]

40 minutes ago, Jeff Ream said:

Hell techs would be thrilled to make that

They do fly them in and out though. Jim made airport runs all the time. Practically every stop. I’m sure that expense adds up.