Attendance and DCI

[kickhaltsforlife]

Here is an article from DCI.org on the 2007 season attendance figures.

http://www.dci.org/news/view.cfm?news_id=1...2a-d4e124545486

2007 Drum Corps International audience milestones

With the highest attendance figures recorded since the early 1990s, the '07 World Championships highlighted one of DCI's most competitive seasons ever.

Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 1:00 PM

Drum Corps International, the event producer and sanctioning body for the world’s most elite and exclusive marching music ensembles for students, today announced audience milestones for the 2007 Summer Music Games Tour, capping the organization’s 35th anniversary season.

In the stands:

Total combined live attendance (paid audience, VIP guests, corps members, media, and others) is estimated at more than 400,000 as Drum Corps International went coast-to-coast during the 2007 season, sanctioning a total of 136 events in 40 states, over a 57-day time period. Competitive events kicked off with a patriotic salute to our nation in Annapolis, Md. on June 16, wrapping up in grand fashion on Aug. 11 with the first-ever DCI World Championships in California, held at historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.

More than 2,000 music students joined in DCI's

patriotic salute to America on June 16 in Annapolis.

“With a whirlwind tour of the United States passing through hundreds of cities, audiences across the country had the opportunity to witness one of the most competitive drum corps seasons to date,” said Sue Kuehnhold, Drum Corps International’s senior manager of tour and special events. “Our drum corps were greeted with tremendous enthusiasm throughout the season by long-time fans as well as those who’ve only recently discovered us,” Kuehnhold added.

As a part of the 2007 Summer Music Games Tour, Drum Corps International produced 15 major regional contests, including events at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.; the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind.; INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo.; Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.; and Stanford University Stadium in Stanford, Calif.

Audiences at the 2007 major regional events alone exceeded 75,000 fans, with the DCI Atlanta contest marking the highest paid attendance number (11,785) of the 15-event series.

“We were excited to be able to settle back into some of our favorite, familiar stadium surroundings with our fans this season after the rollercoaster ride we experienced in 2006,” said Kuehnhold. “Last year, we found ourselves dealing with several unforeseen last-minute venue changes, caused by various stadium construction and renovation projects.”

Fans packed the Rose Bowl Stadium stands as all

corps assembled on the field for the fnale.

With the entire tour heading to the West Coast for the first time ever, Marching Music’s Major League entered Pasadena, Calif. during the second week of August for the 2007 DCI World Championships at Rose Bowl Stadium. A final tally of 24,309 ticket purchases was recorded for the Division I Finals.

“More than 50,000 tickets were sold for 2007 Championship Week events. Including those with VIP guest credentials, as well as our corporate partners, members of the media and non-competing corps members, more than 30,000 people enjoyed the World Championship Finals live in the Rose Bowl Stadium on Aug. 11,” said Kristy Holst, ticketing manager for Drum Corps International. “In terms of total attendance, this year’s Pasadena crowd surpasses any audience we’ve had since 1990 in Buffalo, N.Y.”

The 2007 World Championship Quarterfinals paid attendance reached 8,966, with Semifinals topping out at 13,877. Combined paid attendance over three days of Division II & III events at Pasadena City College totaled some 3,221 enthusiastic spectators.

In movie theaters and on television:

In addition to the World Championships stadium attendance numbers, the fourth annual “Big, Loud & Live” cinecast of the Quarterfinals competition on Aug. 9 drew 22,921 fans to 116 theaters in 38 states, establishing a new record for attendance at this popular event.

Broadcasters Dennis DeLucia (L) and

Steve Rondinaro prepare to go on air during the

2007 World Championship Finals.

The Sept. 5 broadcast of the Drum Corps International World Championship on ESPN2 delivered a 0.4 rating, translating to 380,224 Nielsen Media Research TV households. While lower compared to DCI’s first year on ESPN2 in 2005 when the broadcast had the same time slot, the 2007 program ratings bested ESPNU’s “Summer House” and the first game of the WNBA Finals, both of which preceded the broadcast.

“We were concerned that the 10 p.m. time slot on the East Coast would present challenges for some of our viewers, but we’re extremely pleased with the ratings overall and with excellent and informative research conducted in support of the program,” said Drum Corps International Executive Director and CEO Dan Acheson. “As usual, the feedback we’ve received after the program has been tremendous,” he added.

On the Web:

Many who were not fortunate enough to attend select live events joined with those looking to enhance their stadium experiences online, to find the latest 2007 drum corps scores, news, updates and other information through Drum Corps International’s newly redesigned DCI.org Web site.

Members of the new DCI.org Fan Network had the ability to be part of the action during DCI’s second year of live “WebCast” offerings. During six such WebCasts, 6,332 Fan Network members were able to view performances from the convenience and comfort of their homes and offices via their computer screens. Peak usage during the World Championship Semifinals WebCast reached 1,700 members watching online simultaneously.

A chart showing peak usage during DCI.org WebCasts.

Other new Web media options in 2007 included EnCorps! Video presentations, allowing Fan Network members to watch complete corps performances from select events in an “on demand” format. Throughout June, July and August, thousands of DCI.org visitors were glued to the screen while watching more than 375 hours of online video content.

DCI.org also experienced record traffic during the 2007 World Championship week. 274,225 unique individuals visited the Web site during the one week period from August 6 to 12, viewing more than 5.7 million pages of in-depth and entertaining information – an impressive 16 percent increase from the 2006 season.

“We’re very pleased with the excitement and passion of our WebCast, movie theater and television viewing audiences,” said Acheson. “We’re continuing to develop enhancements for our fans as we invest in the additional resources necessary to keep pace with a rapidly-changing technological environment.”

Acheson continued, “As a non-profit organization, it’s a constant challenge to stretch our limited resources far enough to remain at the forefront of technology, but as Marching Music’s Major League, we are motivated to do as much as we can to share the magic of what we do with as many people as possible. We’ll continue to work hard to provide a world-class experience for everyone on the field, in the stands, in the theaters and for those viewing at home.”

Looking ahead:

During the off-season, Drum Corps International will prepare to move its headquarters to Indianapolis, Ind. from its current location in the Chicago suburbs. In 2008, The Circle City will also play host to the World Championships for the first year of a 10-year commitment in the brand new and state-of-the-art Lucas Oil Stadium.

Construction on the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium is

well underway as seen in this photo from Sept. 12.

“With the luxury of having our World Championship event in the same place for the next decade, we can begin to solidify a schedule of major events for a number of years to come,” said Acheson. “We feel very strongly that this stability will enable us to create new opportunities to better serve our corps, their dedicated members, our loyal fans, as well as our growing network of corporate partners.”

End of Article

Now a lot of people have been saying how the activity is losing people. I don't disagree, but what explains these numbers then? Now I don't know if there has been a report on this years attendance figures. If anyone knows of any report, please post it here. I searched and found this.

I've noticed a lot of people saying that people aren't coming out to see shows. Being on tour this summer, i personally noticed a lot of full high school stadiums, and many decently filled large stadiums, especially at regionals. I honestly don't know the numbers from this season, but this latest report i could find doesn't look so bad. Why is everyone freaking out?

[skewerz]

personally, I think a lot of people attended last year, knowing that electronics were going to start this year, and they wanted one last great year of drum corps. I know that was one of my main reasons for going to Bloomington last year.

My thoughts are this...how many would be attending if they weren't disenfranchising legacy fans? We all know that fans come and go every season. I think that new fans are going to join every year, no matter what. If there weren't all the narration, electronics, amp's, etc, people would still be joining drum corps and watching drum corps. I don't know of anyone that has become a drum corps fan BECAUSE of narration, mic's, electronics, etc.

For the last several years...(or couple decades), attendance figures have pretty much maintained the status quo...more some years...less some years...

anyone that knows business knows that if a business ain't growin', it's dying. You can only maintain business in a status quo environment if the environment is especially rabid...which drum corps fans tend to be. The problem I see is that the legacy fans (in my opinion, anyway) are more rabid than the newcomer. The rabid fan is the one that buys the souvies...the dvd's...drives farther than an hour to watch a show...provides the capital income. Legacy fans are generally older...more established in life and income, etc.

so...to sum up...

new things don't really add new fans...kids becoming of age do that

new things do lose old fans...

[CanadianDirector]

SO.....I haven't been around much the last several weeks, found a few minutes of free time and checked DCP. I read this thread and thought of a couple things.....My first thought was that the numbers seem pretty impressive compared to the "general" opinion of many on this board, and for this I am glad, however, after doing some very unscientific research, (reviewing some old corps memoribilia, schedules, etc...) it would appear that there were far fewer shows in 2007 then in 1987 or 1990. Even though alot of these shows may not have been "DCI" shows as there were smaller circuits then (ODCA, DCM, DCEast, FMAQ) it allowed the fans to attend more shows with corps that were not necessarily "World Class, DIV. I, or the old OPEN Class" I use my extended family as an example....... It was not uncommon for them to see 5 or 6 shows in a season (usually DCI Canada being the largest), however in both 1987 and 1990 they did attend Finals because of family being involved or location. In 2007 they did not attend a single show (Jr. show). So while DCI's attendance may on the surface to be an increase, my question is: Is Drum Corps attendance on an increase? Looking back there were at least 10 shows in Ontario Canada alone in 1987 (with at least 4 of those having the now "World Class" drum corps in competition). in 2007 I believe there may have only been 2 COMPETITIONS, (there were several exhibitions by Jr. corps) So.......my point is my question I guess, just because DCI has better attendance, does that mean that overall drum corps is more popular, better known or better atended then in 1987 or 1990? Any thoughts????

[dckid80]

As with every other discussion about attendance on this board, I look forward to individuals on both sides using statistics to prove that DCI is either thriving or dying.

Let the fun begin......

[JimF-LowBari]

First time on the West Coast and in the historic Rose Bowl. As relators would say "location, location, location". IOW - apple and oranges. Going to be more interesting checking next decades figures as the same site will be used. Of course the economy is going to figure big over the next few years.

[Keith Laubhan]

...anyone that knows business knows that if a business ain't growin', it's dying...

Couldn't one make a similar argument about an art form like drum corps.

Edited October 26, 2008 by Keith Laubhan

[scv guy]

First time on the West Coast and in the historic Rose Bowl. As relators would say "location, location, location". IOW - apple and oranges. Going to be more interesting checking next decades figures as the same site will be used. Of course the economy is going to figure big over the next few years.

I agree that finals being in CA lead to bigger attendance draws. More territory was crossed by more corps and more people came out to see 'em. Phantom was a huge draw in CA in '07 for sure. I have no prediction as to how the economy will play. Something tells me, it won't be good.

[audiodb]

Now a lot of people have been saying how the activity is losing people. I don't disagree, but what explains these numbers then?

Those numbers are significantly down from the previous year.

Each year (well, each year 2003-2007), DCI.org would see a press release about the season's attendance put out in early September. These press releases are carefully spun to highlight the good news and provide bigger numbers each year (sometimes by measuring different things). If you make sure to compare apples to apples, you can discover the underlying trends at times. For instance, in the article you just read:

As a part of the 2007 Summer Music Games Tour, Drum Corps International produced 15 major regional contests, including events at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.; the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind.; INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo.; Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.; and Stanford University Stadium in Stanford, Calif.

Audiences at the 2007 major regional events alone exceeded 75,000 fans, with the DCI Atlanta contest marking the highest paid attendance number (11,785) of the 15-event series.

Compare that to the corresponding numbers from 2006:

As a part of the 2006 tour, Drum Corps International produced 11 major regional contests, including events held in Columbia, Mo.; Indianapolis; San Antonio; Atlanta; and Allentown, Pa.

Attendance at these 11 events exceeded 72,000 fans, with a new modern-day attendance record for a major regional event (15,831) established in Atlanta on July 29.

So while major events went from 72,000 to 75,000, it took 15 events vs. 11 to make that happen. That's not comparing apples to apples. Average attendance for these major events would be a better indicator of trends. The average DCI regional in 2006 drew 6500 fans in '06, vs. 5000 in '07. That's a 24% drop in one year. Atlanta alone went from 15831 to 11785, a 25% drop....and it was the best-attended of all the events.

Now I don't know if there has been a report on this years attendance figures. If anyone knows of any report, please post it here. I searched and found this.

I haven't seen any DCI PR concerning 2008 attendance.

I've noticed a lot of people saying that people aren't coming out to see shows. Being on tour this summer, i personally noticed a lot of full high school stadiums, and many decently filled large stadiums, especially at regionals. I honestly don't know the numbers from this season, but this latest report i could find doesn't look so bad. Why is everyone freaking out?

Not everyone is freaking out. Nevertheless, attendance is in recession, and it would be wise to acknowledge that reality while determining the path forward for DCI.

[kickhaltsforlife]

thank you for pointing those facts out audiodb

so really attendance is not rising, and it is DCI trying to leave a false impression on people like me who don't feel like doing all the research. I hope they come out with a press release soon with this years figures.

[glory]

So while major events went from 72,000 to 75,000, it took 15 events vs. 11 to make that happen. That's not comparing apples to apples. Average attendance for these major events would be a better indicator of trends. The average DCI regional in 2006 drew 6500 fans in '06, vs. 5000 in '07. That's a 24% drop in one year. Atlanta alone went from 15831 to 11785, a 25% drop....and it was the best-attended of all the events.

All due respect but your intelligent analysis is beside the point.

The point is more people saw drum corps than the year before. Surely you’re not arguing DCI should stage fewer events just to make the comparisons valid. No, DCI should stage events to maximize overall viewership, revenues and satisfaction (with due attention to costs, etc.). If that means four more events to garner 3,000 more sets of hands clapping, why is that a bad thing for drum corps?

HH