Re: Fundraising Ideas

> So, if you were an fairly new a cappella group, in the middle of
> nowhere in Maine, and wanted to cut your first CD, how would YOU make
> the money? (I should probably also add that our Student Activities
> office is nothing but red tape, and probably won't help us very much).

Well, the traditional routes stuff on this is a combination of things,
all listed under http://www.varsityvocals.com/icca/articles.shtml

By traditional, I mean chasing gigs...but I'm assuming you want
something out of the ordinary spin of the wheel.  btw, chase gigs for
your school departments...inaugurations and any other department
events.  Sometimes a department will hire you specifically for an
orientation or recruiting event as entertainment.  Fraternity and
Sorority Parent's weekends are also a good place to look.

> This is gonna take more than your average bake sale... Any
> ideas/suggestions for fundraising?

Last Call has traditionally been in a financial bind, not for lack of
income, but for our large expenses due to expensive uniforms paid for
by the group, as well as the overhead cost of running a group and
producing concerts at a university that charges you for
everything...like $25/hour for rehearsal space, $1000 for large
concert venues.  Needless to say, we no longer use the music building
for rehearsal.

Not sure if you'll find something you can use in this, but here's our
current plan for the rest of the year.

Dec 5 and Dec 7 - two concerts, each holding 279 seats, $8 (see more
info on www.menoflastcall.com) with guest group Tufts Amalgamates (dec
5) and Cornell Juggling club (dec 7)

March 12, 2004 - our big spring show.  700 seats, $8 at before, $10 at
the door
Release our new cd single here.  no current guest group.

March 13, 2004 - hosting mid-atlantic icca/semi-finals with guest
group DUWENDE.  850 seats, $10 student, $12 adults

Sometime in April/May - intimate concert, 279 seats @ $8

So in a span of 6 months we will have done 5 concerts for over 2000
people.  We tend to have higher ticket prices because we go all out on
sound reinforcement, guest groups, posters and advertising.

For valentines day, we used to do singing valentines for $20 each. 
We'd pretty much go anywhere on campus at night and do it.  I'm pretty
sure thats a good way for most groups to fundraise.  Add in birthday
sings too.  Key is advertising and letting people know what you do.

We are also cutting our newest cd at home in my tiny apartment.  No
need to pay for the studio to lay down tracks, and you get some poor
sucker (aka me) to edit tracks in ProTools for endless hours.  See the
varsity vocals link for info on home recording.

> (And no, bikini car washes in Maine in the winter are not a good idea,
> but thanks.)

If not a bikini car wash, then how about auctioning off dates and
snuggling by a warm fireplace?  Hot cocoa is always nice too.

G
Business Manager
Last Call
www.menoflastcall.com