- C
Hello everyone! My name is Michelle; I'm a sophomore music major at California State University, Los Angeles. I've recently earned a spot in the front ensemble at Gold Drum and Bugle Corps. After many ups and downs, and some disappointing audition processes, I've pushed myself to focus on becoming a better musician. I thought to myself, "I just want to march corp before my time is up." And here I've earned it!
If you don't know what a drum corp is, then read on. If you already know the ins and outs of DCI, then skip ahead to the next paragraph. According to Wikipedia, drum corp is "a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments and color guard. Drum corps are specialized marching bands. Typically operating as independent organizations (no scholastic affiliation), drum corps perform on-field competitions, parades, festivals and other civic functions. The rules of Drum Corps International set the age limit for drum corps participation at 22, with most participants aged 17-21. Competitive drum corps take part in a summer tour, visiting various cities around the country and participating in competitions. Competitions occur on football fields. Every year, each drum corps prepares a single show, approximately 8–12 minutes in length, and carefully refines this throughout the entire summer tour. This focus on a single show takes advantage of the large amount of time needed to hone and refine a modern drum corps program, with a momentum that continues to build toward the last performance of the season – championships."
I don't need to tell you any further that drum corps is an intense activity. It requires the performer to spend countless hours refining and cleaning the same parts of music over and over to perfection, and undoubtedly also requires a lot of physical fitness, too. What the performer gains is discipline and skills that they can apply to scenarios outside of corps--in their jobs, their relationships, and work ethic. It's an activity that highly benefits its participants.
However, the activity doesn't come without a cost. This year, Gold's tuition is set at $2,200. That allows the corps to travel the United States and perform at various venus in front of thousands of people. I've set the goal to $3,000 so that the extra $800 can be allotted for things I need (i.e. hygienic supplies, medicine to be brought on tour, emergency funds) while the remaining $2,200 goes towards paying for tour.
Members are required to pay $450 monthly until the full tuition is paid off. Now, I understand fully that this entire cost isn't going to be paid from donations alone, so I plan to pay half of the cost out of pocket. But without help, this summer will not be possible.
Here's the gist: you can also make me work for your contribution. If you are local in Los Angeles, and say, have computer problems, or need your roots touched up, I can do that for you! That way you get something more out of your donation, if you wish. Your help means a lot to me, because it will make my rookie year in corp possible!
Please share this page around, and if you can, make a financial contribution. Thank you for taking the time to read through my campaign! <3
-Michelle
POSTED ON 4/5/16
Hello all,
As of 4/2/2016, I've paid off $1,450 of my fee. That's about 66% paid off, and I'd like to think I've kept to my promise on here that I'd do my best to contribute to at least half my fees.
However, I've also paid more than that, because of the payment method that Gold uses, which is Square. Square incurs a 2.75% fee--so taking into account my last payment of $1,000, that's $1,027.50 charged.
2.75% isn't exceptionally high, but it does set me back a little, as that money can go towards the extra $800 allotted for on-tour expenses. I've done what I can on my end to make sure my tour payments are met on time, and now I ask you for help to assist me in paying the remaining $750 left.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could make any financial contribution to my campaign, whether it be in person or online here. Each donor will receive a handmade thank-you card from me, and yes--you can still make me "work" for your donation.
If you wish to support me in other ways, there is a link at the bottom of this page that takes you to my Amazon wishlist for tour. You may choose to donate your items that you may already have or gift it to me via my wishlist.
Thanks all,
-Michelle
*************************************
Links for more info:
Drum Corps International website
Gold Drum & Bugle Corps website
**My DCI tour Amazon wishlist**
**PLEASE READ**
If you are contributing via my Amazon link, I would advise that you wait to purchase laundry supplies or sunblock as those items will be likely purchased by myself. Keep in mind that the list will grow as the summer comes closer and the corps sends out a list of what to bring.
**GOLD'S PAYMENT PLAN**
- $450 by Feb. 28, 2016 ✔
- $450 by Mar. 13, 2016 ✔
- $450 by Apr. 3, 2016 ✔
- $450 by May 1, 2016
- $400 by Jun. 5, 2016
If you don't know what a drum corp is, then read on. If you already know the ins and outs of DCI, then skip ahead to the next paragraph. According to Wikipedia, drum corp is "a musical marching unit consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments and color guard. Drum corps are specialized marching bands. Typically operating as independent organizations (no scholastic affiliation), drum corps perform on-field competitions, parades, festivals and other civic functions. The rules of Drum Corps International set the age limit for drum corps participation at 22, with most participants aged 17-21. Competitive drum corps take part in a summer tour, visiting various cities around the country and participating in competitions. Competitions occur on football fields. Every year, each drum corps prepares a single show, approximately 8–12 minutes in length, and carefully refines this throughout the entire summer tour. This focus on a single show takes advantage of the large amount of time needed to hone and refine a modern drum corps program, with a momentum that continues to build toward the last performance of the season – championships."
I don't need to tell you any further that drum corps is an intense activity. It requires the performer to spend countless hours refining and cleaning the same parts of music over and over to perfection, and undoubtedly also requires a lot of physical fitness, too. What the performer gains is discipline and skills that they can apply to scenarios outside of corps--in their jobs, their relationships, and work ethic. It's an activity that highly benefits its participants.
However, the activity doesn't come without a cost. This year, Gold's tuition is set at $2,200. That allows the corps to travel the United States and perform at various venus in front of thousands of people. I've set the goal to $3,000 so that the extra $800 can be allotted for things I need (i.e. hygienic supplies, medicine to be brought on tour, emergency funds) while the remaining $2,200 goes towards paying for tour.
Members are required to pay $450 monthly until the full tuition is paid off. Now, I understand fully that this entire cost isn't going to be paid from donations alone, so I plan to pay half of the cost out of pocket. But without help, this summer will not be possible.
Here's the gist: you can also make me work for your contribution. If you are local in Los Angeles, and say, have computer problems, or need your roots touched up, I can do that for you! That way you get something more out of your donation, if you wish. Your help means a lot to me, because it will make my rookie year in corp possible!
Please share this page around, and if you can, make a financial contribution. Thank you for taking the time to read through my campaign! <3
-Michelle
POSTED ON 4/5/16
Hello all,
As of 4/2/2016, I've paid off $1,450 of my fee. That's about 66% paid off, and I'd like to think I've kept to my promise on here that I'd do my best to contribute to at least half my fees.
However, I've also paid more than that, because of the payment method that Gold uses, which is Square. Square incurs a 2.75% fee--so taking into account my last payment of $1,000, that's $1,027.50 charged.
2.75% isn't exceptionally high, but it does set me back a little, as that money can go towards the extra $800 allotted for on-tour expenses. I've done what I can on my end to make sure my tour payments are met on time, and now I ask you for help to assist me in paying the remaining $750 left.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could make any financial contribution to my campaign, whether it be in person or online here. Each donor will receive a handmade thank-you card from me, and yes--you can still make me "work" for your donation.
If you wish to support me in other ways, there is a link at the bottom of this page that takes you to my Amazon wishlist for tour. You may choose to donate your items that you may already have or gift it to me via my wishlist.
Thanks all,
-Michelle
*************************************
Links for more info:
Drum Corps International website
Gold Drum & Bugle Corps website
**My DCI tour Amazon wishlist**
**PLEASE READ**
If you are contributing via my Amazon link, I would advise that you wait to purchase laundry supplies or sunblock as those items will be likely purchased by myself. Keep in mind that the list will grow as the summer comes closer and the corps sends out a list of what to bring.
**GOLD'S PAYMENT PLAN**
- $450 by Feb. 28, 2016 ✔
- $450 by Mar. 13, 2016 ✔
- $450 by Apr. 3, 2016 ✔
- $450 by May 1, 2016
- $400 by Jun. 5, 2016