Who: Your own music band parents or band boosters support groups.
What: Raise dollars for your music department by sponsoring a concert by the Musician's Warehouse Big Band.
When: Create a concert around a holiday, or a band day, in conjunction with contests, etc. You name it!
Where: Use your school facilities, i.e. auditorium, courtyard, etc.
How: It's a simple project that takes no dollars up front, i.e. you don't buy products to sell. Just pick a date(s) and time, contact The Musician's Warehouse Big Band office and most of your work is done.
Program: The Musician's Warehouse Big Band (TMWBB), a highly professional jazz concert band, will perform music composed and arranged by the world renown big band drummer Louie Bellson. Plus, other arrangements by famous composers, for your student body, parents, friends, and general public. Students from you band, will be able to 'sit-in' and perform with the TMWBB during the second half of the concert. Playing some of the most exciting and powerful charts they will ever play. The students will remember this night for a long time to come.
How does it work: Once a date(s) have been settled upon, your band parents or boosters group begins to publicize the concert and "sell" tickets. The two-hour concert will begin with a 35-40 minute concert by TMWBB. A 15-20 minute intermission will allow for a stage set change to expand the band to allow students to 'sit-in'. The next few numbers will allow the students to play with the TMWBB. The closing number(s) will be performed by the TMWBB.
Costs involved: The TMWBB is a not-for-profit entity that charges the standard musician's union fee for this type of performance. The American Federation of Musicians Local 153 and the band parents or band booster splits the concert fee through booster club ticket sales. All proceeds, over the band's fee, is money for your band program.
Example: Let’s say for discussion purposes, the standard TMWBB fee is $2,000, the actual union rate may be different. The American Federation of Musicians, Local 153, will pay $1,000 towards the performance. The band booster organization will pay $1,000. Any dollars over the $1,000 will be dollars that you will be able to put into your music program, instruments, music, etc.
A typical concert will have 300 tickets sold at $10 each. That's $3,000 - $1000 = $2,000 profit just from ticket sales. If a small program is produced, with advertising from the local school community, more dollars can be raised. In addition, Louie’s CD’s of the music we will be playing, as well as other Big Band Jazz artists, can be provided, and those profits can also be included in the concert proceeds. These concepts can be expanded in many different ways. Be creative! Let’s work out a special program just for your school or organization.
Why: "I have always had music in my life and it is something I can enjoy alone or with someone, playing or listening or simply enjoying that moment in time. Now that I have the facilities and resources, giving music back to youth and community is possible and enjoyable.
We have a national treasure, in Louie Bellson, who has always been there for the young people. Not only is he a legendary drummer, but he is a composer and arranger of hundreds of compositions. His musicianship started at age five in his father's music store in Moline, Illinois and has never stopped. He has given thousands of free clinics, concerts and hours to the young musicians, not just here in our San Jose area, but all around the world. His generosity and mentorship to the TMWBB and The Musician's Warehouse, by allowing us to play his music and use his legacy to promote music, will never be forgotten. The TMWBB, by playing and promoting his music, and Louie are dedicated to the youth of our community through music education." …Terry A. Loose, President/CEO, The Musician's Warehouse, Inc.
Next Step: Give TMWBB a call and request a promotion packet. Fill out the request form and start planning how to spend your newfound funds. Schedule multiple dates. Some schools may require two or more concerts just to handle the demand for tickets. TMWBB will make every effort to satisfy your needs and schedules.
All questions should be addressed to Terry A. Loose, Manager or Sal Butera, Director of the band. Don't miss this opportunity to raise funds for your program and keep music alive in your school's systems.
Mission Statement -- Musician's Warehouse, Inc.
"The Musician's Warehouse is committed to establishing an environment to experience all types of music and allow anyone interested in music, a place to learn, listen, create, teach, perform and simply enjoy music." … Terry A. Loose