How much does it cost?

We've often been asked "why do you charge performers X Amount to perform in your groups?" Well, there are a few reasons.

1) As a seasonal non profit group, we do not have a steady source of income that we can rely on. Also, as a nonprofit group, when we do offer services to outside groups and organizations we sometimes encounter resistance to paying for the services because some people believe that being a nonprofit group means you should provide your services for free.  Although there are groups that can provide services at no cost, they generally have outside sources of income to assist, or receive donations from generous donors.

2) As an independent group, we need to pay for many items that a scholastic or university group may not encounter (or that their booster programs might help to pay for). These includes: Insurance, Rehearsal site rental, transportation costs, Circuit dues and performance fees, etc.

3) Responsibility.  We offer fundraisers throughout the entire year- not just during winter guard season. By participating in these fundraisers, a performer could easily earn all his/her tuition costs even before the following season begins! Even if a student only wanted to participate in these fundraisers during the winter season, there are more than enough opportunities to pay in full without reaching into one's wallet. However, we do ask performers to pay some small amount out of pocket to give them a sense of responsibility and "ownership" of the program.

The amount we ask performers to pay does not often cover the actual expenses for the season, which is why we require performers to help with fundraising opportunities such as concession stands, brochure sales, etc. Since we began this group, only two performers have elected to pay the majority of their dues from their own pockets. Everyone else has worked concessions and other fundraisers to pay their dues, and in fact, we have had at least two members each year earn all their fees without the need to pay beyond the initial deposit amount!

Hope that answers your question! Feel free to comment or email us with additional questions!