I have an opportunity, but would like your feedback...

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M

MMM

New DJ
Mar 27, 2008
729
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63
Maine Highlands and the Mid-Coast areas.
So, here it is and I'll make it as brief as possible...LOL.

I attend (as a spectator and parent of a cheerleader) our local high school basketball games. Traditionally the high school band has always provided music for the home games. Unfortunately the band has been dwindling in numbers for many years and this year they have even asked graduates to join them at the games to add "support" to the current students. Two games ago, there were only 8 members there (and 6 of them were graduates) and at last nights game, they had only 1 student and 3 grads...it obviously sounds horrible.

As I was waiting for my daughter, the school principal (I have done the weddings for his two daughters) and I were talking and he wondered aloud if we would be interested in taking over the music and pre-game announcements. As he was discussing it, the athletic director overheard and chimed in with positive thoughts. I told them I would give it some thought and get back to them soon.

This is a small school (about 300 students) but the basketball games are generally packed and it would be great exposure. There are 18 home games over a two month span...beginning early December and ending early February; a time frame which is typically very slow for us.

Money wise, I doubt it would pay much but with the school being 5 minutes from home, I wouldn't have hardly anything tied up in expenses.

The gig would run about 3 hours per game.

I'm planning on meeting with the two of them and discussing it further...but, in the meantime, whaddyathink?
 
Do they have a sound system or do you have to use yours?

I would do it, with the stip that your company gets free advertising and announced at half time of each game. Not only locals get to hear you but folks from 18 other schools. great advertising
 
MADNESS said:
Do they have a sound system or do you have to use yours?

I would do it, with the stip that your company gets free advertising and announced at half time of each game. Not only locals get to hear you but folks from 18 other schools. great advertising
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Thats a good way for you to get respected exposure. Caution, whatever you do, stay away from clusters of different types of speaker boxes to try and achieve powerful sound.
When doing arrays, speakers have to be carefully chosen so you don't end up with cancellation of sound.
You will need a bigger truck!!!!!
Go for it man, its a great opportunity.
At least, there you won't have to worry about them putting you in a corner! LOL
 
See, and this might shock people. I wouldn't do this, and I get told here that I do too many free events. I don't mind free events for the right cause. But for "ME" this isn't that cause, especially if I have to use my own gear. ( I know, you said little pay )


Just my 2 cents.
 
Under the condition that you do not have to haul gear in, go for it. I would, under no circumstances, take "minimal pay". If you do that, then you can guarantee that any referrals you get will be cheap-o gigs. If you do it for free, with some free advertising/promo that they give you, then it probably will return some decent gigs. If they want me to schelp P.A. in for every game, forget it. Keep in mind, your kids won't be going to school there forever.
 
I dunno... seems like a lot of work for what return you may get. Folks attending the games don't usually pay much mind to who's running sound, if any.

HS basketball can get rough. If you have to load in your own sound you'll likely be in the crossfire on the floor. If you've ever been in a roadside joint and wondered why the stage is surrounded by chicken wire, you'll understand. :D

Vocals are gonna have to carry. With a crowd that size, that noisy in a gym you're gonna need some serious SPL behind the vocal range.

Just some thoughts. :)
 
I vo0te yes if you are using the in house system and if that system wont make you sound like crap. Also, I would want an ad in every games flier or brochure. I am betting there is no way to bring in a system that would be loud and clear enough for that purpose. Even if you had to, where would you set it up? Usually there is not much extra floor space in Gyms,,,, there might be a built in stage, but again, you would still need "ummph"
 
I would consider the options DJ Paul mentioned and also make sure you have a front page ad available in the program. Sponsors paid my school gigs mostly as they provided prizes to encourage good door count in turn paid my gig fee. This could get you some great exposure. If you dont do it the local radio station will probably be there instead.

I would do it for the love of the game and my daughters love. I often give to the schools generously without compensation outside of my DJ Biz.
 
If you are at every home game anyway then why not get paid to be there. Just make sure you also get ad space in thier program and bring a banner. If they want it for free tell them to take a hike! This could lead to dj'ing thier banquet dinner at the end of the season and lead to doing all school dances.
 
MMM said:
So, here it is and I'll make it as brief as possible...LOL.

I attend (as a spectator and parent of a cheerleader) our local high school basketball games. Traditionally the high school band has always provided music for the home games. Unfortunately the band has been dwindling in numbers for many years and this year they have even asked graduates to join them at the games to add "support" to the current students. Two games ago, there were only 8 members there (and 6 of them were graduates) and at last nights game, they had only 1 student and 3 grads...it obviously sounds horrible.

As I was waiting for my daughter, the school principal (I have done the weddings for his two daughters) and I were talking and he wondered aloud if we would be interested in taking over the music and pre-game announcements. As he was discussing it, the athletic director overheard and chimed in with positive thoughts. I told them I would give it some thought and get back to them soon.


Do you think they would be negative, with nearly free work being offered?


This is a small school (about 300 students) but the basketball games are generally packed and it would be great exposure. There are 18 home games over a two month span...beginning early December and ending early February; a time frame which is typically very slow for us.

Money wise, I doubt it would pay much but with the school being 5 minutes from home, I wouldn't have hardly anything tied up in expenses.



So about 50 HOURS of work, taking up 18 of your days?[/B]

I'm planning on meeting with the two of them and discussing it further...but, in the meantime, whaddyathink?
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Here are my honest thoughts.... do this because you WANT to, and for NO OTHER reasons. Nobody cares about who does pre - game announcements and game music, IMO. I know if I went, I couldn't care less who it was, and I DJ.... so most people care even less.

Someone said - I think it was Rick Ryan - do not take pay at all. I would rather work for free in this case, and look like a nice guy, rather than the guy who works for chump change 18 TIMES A YEAR.

I think you should do it if you want to because it feels like the right thing to do, but that is as far as it goes, IMO.

And no way in hell would I do this with my own gear.

Just my honest thoughts.
 
I used to be the announcer for the high school football games at my last high school I taught at. Loved it!

That's a great way to do it. Do what you think is best for you and your business, the school, your girls, etc.

The reason there are many DJ companies in this nation and not one big one, is that there are different people doing things differently, for different motivation, and getting different results.

Be you.

I would do it, even with my own gear, and ask for small pay, and the exclusive on the school events, with ad space, with a banner and cards there.
 
MMM said:
I attend (as a spectator and parent of a cheerleader) our local high school basketball games.
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I think this quote says it all...

Your kid gets the advantages of the athletic program at the school, and you get to support her, the school and the team. If THAT'S not a win, I don't know what is!

Merry Christmas!
 
All great info, (as is usual on these boards) and a sincere "thank you" to all for your input.

To answer a couple of items, yes they do have a "house" system of 6 suspended Carvin speakers with 3 Carvin amps. It rarely gets used because they find it "too technical" to run (LOL). They currently make announcements thru the scoreboard system (which is "okay" for voice).

I'm sure that getting a full page ad in the program would be easy (seeing as how I already purchased a 1/4 page one for the year)....LOL....along with any plugs I would want to make for myself.

In a nutshell, I could bring my lappy (with RockIt, of course) and a small mixer and be ready to roll.
 
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