Terms

When submitting a work order for drill, keep in mind the following terms:

# of Spots:

This is the number of actual marching spots I will be writing drill for. In other words, do not include the pit/sideline or the drum majors. If you have a color guard designer who is going to write the drill for the guard, please let me know, and do not include the guard in the total number of spots, otherwise, the total number of spots should be all the brass, woodwind, percussion, and guard members in your ensemble.

Flat Fee:

This fee offsets some of the costs involved with postage, paper supplies, ink/toner, software updates, etc. This fee is payable up front when the scores are sent in, and is required even if your drill charts are being sent to you via .pdf file. The fee is currently $250.

Easy Drill:

Easy drill is drill that has a lot of 32 and 48 count moves in it. From time to time there may be some 16 count moves, but the step size usually doesn't vary from 8-to-5, and the moves are not too difficult. There won't be many precision geometric formations, instead, you will get nice flowing drill that strives to keep everyone connected. Easy drill usually means somewhere in the neighborhood of 30-45 charts (pages) depending on your musical selections.

Moderate Drill:

Moderate drill is a little more complex, and has 16- and 24-count moves. From time to time, there may be a few 8-count moves, but it may also have some 32-count moves if the musical phrases call for it (music ALWAYS dicatates the drill). 8-to-5 step is used, but so is 6-to-5, 16-to-5, and other forms of adjusted step. Moderate drill is usually around 45-60 charts (pages).

Difficult Drill:

Difficult drill is self-explanatory. It may feature 8-count moves, along with the other standard phrasing moves. Step size becomes a more important issue here, as some sections may have large step sizes to get from set to set. Difficult Drill is not quite "drum-corps drill," in other words, it won't be as difficult as what you see the Cavaliers or Santa Clara doing when you tune in to DCI Finals on ESPN2, but it is a significant challenge for high school performers. Difficult drill will run between 60 and 75 charts (pages). This type of drill is best suited to bands who do several competitions a year (BOA, USSBA, TOB, FMBC, etc) and have plenty of rehearsal time and/or experience with difficult drill. If I am specifically asked to, I can make the drill "drumcorps-like" to further challenge your band members, but only if I am specifically asked to do this. You can expect 75+ pages if you ask for drum corps type drill.

Rewrite Fees:

If rewrites are necessary because of the addition or subtraction of players, or because of error on the part of the band director, an extra fee of $20 per page will be charged. There will be NO fees if the drill writer is at fault. Re-write fees are based on each page that needs to be re-written. I highly recommend you double-check all your numbers and scores before sending them to me in order to avoid any re-writes. For whatever it's worth, I have never had to rewrite any drill because of error on my part, and only once because I was given the wrong number of performers.

Other Fees:

These are extra fees that may pop up on a case-by-case basis. For example, consultation, providing copies for all the members (to save the band director time), extra postage, mileage (if working with the band is asked for), etc. You do not get charged any extra fees unless you specifically ask for extra services.

Payment:

After completing the first half of your show, I will send out the materials along with an invoice for the entire show. After I receive payment, the remainder of the show will be sent. Because of problems I have had with tardy payments, the remainder of the drill will not be sent until payment is received. Payments may also be made in installments with prior approval. I understand the vagaries of fund-raising and how difficult it can be to get a check cut on time sometimes...as long as we have good communication, I am willing to work with you always. All checks should be made out to: Nikk Nakks Music.