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Small Drum Corps Association

SDCA does not ask for any upfront costs. The only out-of-pocket costs are what you and
the school determine. Usually, the cost for the school gym, locker rooms, 6 or 7
classrooms and a janitor is $100.00 per hour. A minimum of 5 hours will be needed: two
SDCA will provide numbered tickets for the show. You will be responsible to account for
every ticket. At the end of the show, SDCA will verify the number of tickets sold and you
will provide SDCA with a check for the gate money. From the gate receipts, SDCA will
distribute the money to the participating corps in this manor; the host corps will receive
$2.00 for each ticket sold and each participating corps will receive $1.00 for every ticket
sold.

Getting Started

Request:
1. Name of school contact and phone number
2. Seating Capacity (Min. 1200 +/-)
3. Name of the Band Director and phone number
Invite the band members to a free brass and percussion clinic and complimentary
tickets to the performance. (Number Attending______)
4. Costs and Information
A. Gym/Arena Rental (5 hours Minimum) $__________
B. Janitor Name:_________________Phone____________Fee $_______
C. Security Fee: $__________
D. Fire Code and Restrictions Yes____
E. PA System Yes____
F. Concession Area Yes____
G. Souvenirs Area Yes____
H. Tables & Chairs Available and Accessible Yes____
I. Changing Rooms (Min. of 6) or Access to Locker Rooms Yes____
J. Warm up Area (Band Room or Other Separate Area Yes____
K. Parking Area for Buses, Corps Trailers and Guests Yes____
L. Phone Numbers For Area Medical Facilities Phone_____________

Provide all of the above to your SDCA contact.

SDCA Will

1. Invite the corps that will perform at your show with your input.
2. Notify the performing corps of the show location, time and line-up.
3. Have tickets printed and delivered to the host corps.
4. Promote the show via the SDCA Website and contacting Drum Corps World and
Drum Corps Planet.
5. Provide a staff member to advise on show promotional opportunities.
6. Assist or advise where needed.
7. Conduct the pre-show meeting with the performing corps managers.
8. Provide the announcer’s script with the corps overviews and show details.
9. Collect check from host corps for gate receipts.
10. Distribute funds.

Staffing Your Show

You will need a lot of volunteers to staff your show. Some suggestions, in addition to your
alumni list and their spouses, are Boy/Girl Scout Troops ( they always look for community
service projects) as well as church youth groups. Other good resources are the VFW,
American Legion and Elks Clubs, Senior Centers, etc.

Staffing Suggestions

1. Ticket Sales - Minimum 2
2. 50/50 Raffle Sales - Minimum 2
3. Souvenirs Sales - Minimum 2
4. Concession - Minimum 4
5. Performance Coordinator - 1 (Responsibilities below)
6. Assistant Performance Coordinator - 1
7. Ushers - 4
8. Announcer - 1
9. Evaluators: 1 Brass, 1 Drums, 1 Visual

Performance Coordinator will:
1. Attend the SDCA pre-show meeting with the performing corps managers.
2. Receive the Finale Drill Sheet from the managers’ meeting.
3. Have each corps near the entrance, lining up against the wall with minimal noise,
15 minutes before they perform. (Staging Area)
4. Listen for the final announcement of the previous corps and send the waiting corps
into the Arena.
5. Get the next corps to perform to the Staging Area.
6. Assign someone to be responsible for the corps entrance/exit door
A. Keep the door closed during all performances and clear of spectators.
B. Open the door when the performing corps is entering and exiting.
C. Instruct the exiting corps to move quietly to the locker room.
D. Invite the exiting corps to watch the rest of the show, however, they may not enter
or exit during a performance.
E Advise the exiting corps to be dressed and ready for the finale.
7. Review the finale with all performing corps.

Finale
1. Following the last corps, have the performing corps participating in the Finale in the
Staging Area lined up single file, quietly.
2. Count out performers for the lines that will be filed onto the arena. 12 members per line,
maximum but use your best judgment.
3. Inform the 13th person to start a new line and file to the front and so on.
4. Rehearse the finale with the drum major that will be conducting.

Finale music may be obtained in the password protected files on this website at
FINALE MUSIC ACCESS

FINALE MUSIC