| Services |
| Donna Buttrum * (252) 414-6285 * donna@thedrillchick.com |
(c) Will Bullas, used by permission
How can you offer drill design at such affordable prices?
I have been designing field productions for seven years now, and
although I have written for many bands in the South, I am looking to
branch out and offer my services to bands across the country. I
assure you that your band will receive a well-written, quality show.
I pride myself in offering quality design at an affordable price, and
I am confident that you will find my designs are better suited to
your band that many of the "stock" drills that are available.
Honestly, I love drill design and would do it for free if I were a
millionaire!
I have been designing field productions for seven years now, and
although I have written for many bands in the South, I am looking to
branch out and offer my services to bands across the country. I
assure you that your band will receive a well-written, quality show.
I pride myself in offering quality design at an affordable price, and
I am confident that you will find my designs are better suited to
your band that many of the "stock" drills that are available.
Honestly, I love drill design and would do it for free if I were a
millionaire!
What makes YOUR drill so special?
There are several reasons that I think you will like my designs. I am a band director
who teaches marching band every fall, and I have learned what "works" and what
doesn't. Many drill writers simply do not realize that what looks good on the page does
not necessarily look good on the field. I stay current with marching trends - you
probably won't find a designer who "studies" as much as me! Another thing is that I
really try to stage your color guard for maximum effect. After watching band after
band whose guards are hopelessly stuck in the backfield or too close together for the
entire show, I try to develop the best visual impact for your guard. Finally, I really
focus on transitions between sets and try to make them as visually appealing as possible.
Many times the transition movement is more important than the actual set. (It's the
journey, not the destination, right?) Everything that I write is "do-able" - you will not
waste time trying to teach something that is impossible in the first place.
Do you charge more for designs that are more complex?
Pricing is solely determined by the number of pages involved. This will be dictated by
the complexity of your music and how it is broken down by phrasing. I believe that
every band deserves a well-written show, whatever your needs are. I will write
completely to your specifications and to your desired competitive level.
Will the drill be designed specifically for my band?
YES! I use the specific instrumentation you provide me to create your show.
Will you write to my specifications?
Absolutely! I am happy to take the ideas that you already possess to create your show.
If you have staging ideas, soloists, special props, etc., it is important that I have this
information before I begin the writing process. I will be happy to discuss with you at
length what you have in mind for your production. I like to be in constant contact with
you throughout the creative process to ensure that my ideas match your vision.
Do you resell shows that you have already written?
Never. Every show is written specifically to your music, instrumentation, and
specifications. It would be impossible for those factors to be duplicated by another
band.
What if the band's size changes after the drill has been written?
What is the charge for re-writes?
As a band director (especially as a director of a small, rural school), I understand how
frustrating it is for the band size to change from the time the drill is written until band
camp. I try to design shows that are written in such a way that adding or subtracting a
few members will be relatively easy for me to do. One change-of-numbers rewrite of
your complete show is included in the price of your show. Further rewrites are only
available for an additional fee.
Do you write musical arrangements as well?
Yes. It is very advantageous to have your music arranger and drill designer be the
same person. I have arranged the musical book for several shows in the last few years,
and these shows have proven successful in competition. However, I am limited in the
number of clients for which I can provide both services, and you must contact me in
early spring if you are interested in this option.
All custom shows require a quote. There are several other options for you to secure the
music for your show. I can put you in touch with some of my colleagues in the business,
help you in arranging the music yourself, or I can give you ideas for making the most out
of stock arrangements. Feel free to contact me for more information.
Do you offer any additional services?
I offer additional visual services that are included in your total show design fee. These
include suggestions for visual movements, color usage, guard uniforms, etc. I also will
provide you with broad suggestions for color guard choreography. (I do not provide
actual color guard routine, but I would like to work with you and/or your visual/color
guard staff in creating choreography that is in sync with the drill). If you do not have
color guard designer, I can put you in touch with several designers who will write to
your specifications. If you need wind or percussion arrangements, I can definitely
assist you in that process as well.
What do you need to get started?
To start designing your show, I need:
1. Complete musical scores and mp3 or CD recording (if available)
2. Complete instrumentation
3. Winds special instructions (soloists, preferred placement, section
strengths/weaknesses, etc.)
4. Percussion special instructions (pit placement, drumline positions, etc.)
5. Auxiliary special instructions (staging, equipment changes, features/solos, etc.)
6. Other special instructions (special staging, props, etc.)
I like to talk to the director(s) at length before beginning your show. This will ensure
that I produce the right kind of drill design for your band. As I mentioned previously,
it is also very important that I work with you and/or your staff about color guard
choreography so that our ideas are parallel.
What if my budget is very limited?
Let's talk. I can offer a guaranteed flat rate if we discuss this in advance. Where else
are you going to get service like that?
Answer - no where except....
There are several reasons that I think you will like my designs. I am a band director
who teaches marching band every fall, and I have learned what "works" and what
doesn't. Many drill writers simply do not realize that what looks good on the page does
not necessarily look good on the field. I stay current with marching trends - you
probably won't find a designer who "studies" as much as me! Another thing is that I
really try to stage your color guard for maximum effect. After watching band after
band whose guards are hopelessly stuck in the backfield or too close together for the
entire show, I try to develop the best visual impact for your guard. Finally, I really
focus on transitions between sets and try to make them as visually appealing as possible.
Many times the transition movement is more important than the actual set. (It's the
journey, not the destination, right?) Everything that I write is "do-able" - you will not
waste time trying to teach something that is impossible in the first place.
Do you charge more for designs that are more complex?
Pricing is solely determined by the number of pages involved. This will be dictated by
the complexity of your music and how it is broken down by phrasing. I believe that
every band deserves a well-written show, whatever your needs are. I will write
completely to your specifications and to your desired competitive level.
Will the drill be designed specifically for my band?
YES! I use the specific instrumentation you provide me to create your show.
Will you write to my specifications?
Absolutely! I am happy to take the ideas that you already possess to create your show.
If you have staging ideas, soloists, special props, etc., it is important that I have this
information before I begin the writing process. I will be happy to discuss with you at
length what you have in mind for your production. I like to be in constant contact with
you throughout the creative process to ensure that my ideas match your vision.
Do you resell shows that you have already written?
Never. Every show is written specifically to your music, instrumentation, and
specifications. It would be impossible for those factors to be duplicated by another
band.
What if the band's size changes after the drill has been written?
What is the charge for re-writes?
As a band director (especially as a director of a small, rural school), I understand how
frustrating it is for the band size to change from the time the drill is written until band
camp. I try to design shows that are written in such a way that adding or subtracting a
few members will be relatively easy for me to do. One change-of-numbers rewrite of
your complete show is included in the price of your show. Further rewrites are only
available for an additional fee.
Do you write musical arrangements as well?
Yes. It is very advantageous to have your music arranger and drill designer be the
same person. I have arranged the musical book for several shows in the last few years,
and these shows have proven successful in competition. However, I am limited in the
number of clients for which I can provide both services, and you must contact me in
early spring if you are interested in this option.
All custom shows require a quote. There are several other options for you to secure the
music for your show. I can put you in touch with some of my colleagues in the business,
help you in arranging the music yourself, or I can give you ideas for making the most out
of stock arrangements. Feel free to contact me for more information.
Do you offer any additional services?
I offer additional visual services that are included in your total show design fee. These
include suggestions for visual movements, color usage, guard uniforms, etc. I also will
provide you with broad suggestions for color guard choreography. (I do not provide
actual color guard routine, but I would like to work with you and/or your visual/color
guard staff in creating choreography that is in sync with the drill). If you do not have
color guard designer, I can put you in touch with several designers who will write to
your specifications. If you need wind or percussion arrangements, I can definitely
assist you in that process as well.
What do you need to get started?
To start designing your show, I need:
1. Complete musical scores and mp3 or CD recording (if available)
2. Complete instrumentation
3. Winds special instructions (soloists, preferred placement, section
strengths/weaknesses, etc.)
4. Percussion special instructions (pit placement, drumline positions, etc.)
5. Auxiliary special instructions (staging, equipment changes, features/solos, etc.)
6. Other special instructions (special staging, props, etc.)
I like to talk to the director(s) at length before beginning your show. This will ensure
that I produce the right kind of drill design for your band. As I mentioned previously,
it is also very important that I work with you and/or your staff about color guard
choreography so that our ideas are parallel.
What if my budget is very limited?
Let's talk. I can offer a guaranteed flat rate if we discuss this in advance. Where else
are you going to get service like that?
Answer - no where except....
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