2008 Fee Structure

Marching Tech...
 

This charge is negotiable but is based on $50 Per Rehearsal Block. A Rehearsal Block is basically a standard rehearsal, usually running 2 to 3 hours (4 hours maximum), without the separation of a Lunch or Dinner break. Rehearsals split into segments (separated by a Lunch and/or Dinner break) would count as multiple "Rehearsal Blocks". For each successive Rehearsal Block, there will be a $5 reduction in the Fee.

(The exact amount is negotiable. The exact charge will be reflected on the final contract)

For instance: As a Marching Tech, a typical 3 hour Evening Rehearsal would cost $50. A Saturday Mini-Camp, or Camp Day with 1 food break would cost ($45) X 2 or $90. An all day camp with 2 food breaks would cost ($40) X 3 or $120.

(See Special Notes #1 & #2)

This charge is negotiable but based on $60 Per Rehearsal Block. A Rehearsal Block is basically a standard rehearsal, up to 4 hours maximum, without the separation of a Lunch or Dinner break. Rehearsals split into Blocks separated by a Lunch or Dinner break would count as multiple "Blocks". For each successive Rehearsal Block, there will be a $5 reduction in the Fee.

(The exact amount is negotiable. The exact charge will be reflected on the final contract)

For instance: As a Marching Caption Head or for Drill Instruction, a typical 3 hour Evening Rehearsal would cost $60. A Saturday Mini-Camp, or Camp Day with 1 food break would cost ($55) X 2 or $110. An all day camp with 2 food breaks would cost ($50) X 3 or $150.

(See Special Notes #1 & #2)

Prices start from as little as $600 per show. The actual show cost depends on the size of the ensemble and the date in which I receive all the vital information to start your show, i.e.: Contract, Scores and Staging Approval. The later you, the client, get this information to me, the more the show will cost. See below for available Contracts then Contact me at drilldesigns@att.net or through the <Contact Information> link in the Menu Bar to reserve your spot.

Shows designs able to be started before June 1st will cost the least. After that date, a minimal monthly Premium rate will be added to the cost to compensate for having less time to design. A special 10% discount will be applied to contracts Postmarked before May 15th!

There will be a 10% rebate for shows not being shipped by your due date. Partial Scores, Incomplete Contracts, Score changes, Marching Personnel changes, and anything else that could force a delay, negates this offer.

25% of the show's total cost is paid up front in a Down Payment. This payment is also to show your commitment to my services and allows me to start the designing process. (This is like a retainer and helps cover the costs of all prep work, paper, up to 3 original copies and any additional paperwork but does not include copy charges if you request a drill chart for each marching member.) The remaining 75% is due within 30 days of the delivery of your show and can be paid in 1 lump sum or pre-arranged monthly installments. 

(See Special Notes #3 & #4)

It is extremely important to understand the product you will receive from me. First off, I do not write easy or even moderately easy shows. Second, a show designed by me will have greater than 60 pages (Ranges from 10-15 pages per show minute). See the Samples link in the Menu Bar for a wide variety of examples.

The rates I offer are based on a physically challenging, highly competitive, Medium Difficulty to Difficult show. If you're not interested in this type of show design or you feel your ensemble might not be able to perform such a physically demanding show then please look up one of the drill designers on my <Links Page> for your show needs.

All costs are negotiable though I do encourage the return of the contracts as early as possible to secure a slot in my Design Schedule. My camp schedule usually starts in late July. Depending on my camp schedule, clients returning incomplete contracts or clients returning contracts after July 15th may be referred to another designer for the completion of their show.

Indoor Show Design/Staging...

Indoor Ensembles are quite different that outside bands and corps. Many factors can contribute to costs here as it would with an outdoor group but the size of an ensemble doesn't effect the challenges of writing in any significant way.

All my writing for indoor ensembles is done by hand. Instructions, path considerations and even prop considerations are all included on a customized floor layout sheet. Although I prefer teaching my own shows, you would have enough information on each page to successfully teach the staging on your own. Usually there's enough flexibility with the charts to add your own personal artistic touches as well.

Costs for indoor ensembles ranges from *$100-$300 per show minute (4 minute minimum). The end price depends on a wide variety of things which would include Ensemble Classification, Prop Design/usage considerations, Music Analysis, Music Editing, and anything else that may take additional time to work out.

*Additional rehearsals will incur costs similar to the Marching Caption Head fees.

***Indoor Samples are available by request only***

1. Marching Tech and Caption Head charges are given solely as a place to start in terms of negotiations. I'm fully aware of budget issues within some marching organizations and would not insist on the charges listed from an ensemble when that money isn't available. I have done non-gratis work and treat that no differently than a full paying gig.
2. Whenever travel is an issue, reimbursement for food and general expenses will be expected. This should be discussed prior to the performance of any work or included in the details of the contract.
3. Drill re-writes are a negotiable issue though they would be more in line with a per show-minute charge over a per marching member charge. On average, you could take the total cost of the show, divide that by the length and get the per show-minute charge for a re-write. I DO NOT CHARGE A RE-WRITE FEE FOR OBVIOUS DRILL ISSUES! The only times a re-write fee has EVER been assessed was when Instrumental or Guard numbers changed drastically thus causing space and form problems.
4. The Drill Design fee is based on the basic high school marching band ensemble. A Drum Corps' Show Design costs will be substantially higher due to the extreme complexity not only in the design but also in the show development. The price to write a Drum Corps show will have to be negotiated.