I need info on hosting a rock concert (techniques and strategies)?
March 2, 2010 by: nickadminThe more info the better. This is my topic for my senior project, and I have to write a five page essay full of researched information on it. The concert is going to be outdoors and in the open, so I need stuff like on where the stage should be, microphone and amp positioning and what makes the best sound dynamics, working the audience while bands set up, and just tips on impressing the audience. Thanks
write a letter
This site isn’t for a rock concert but it still has some good pointers. Good luck.
Timeline for Building a Concert
One year prior to the “season opener”
Operations begins to scout concert venues and reserves selected locations for potential concert dates. Venues must be of professional caliber and able to accommodate the band’s setup. The venues are in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area by mandate of the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. The only time the band plays outside the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region is during its National Tour. To learn more about the Operations Office, click here.
The Directors design a concert schedule based upon many variables, including new performance venues, guest conductors, special soloists, and special programming. “The President’s Own” typically presents two band concerts and one chamber orchestra and one chamber ensembles concert per month during the winter/spring concert season, which runs from January through May.
Public Affairs develops a publicity plan for the entire concert season, which outlines the goals for advertising, media relations, marketing, and community outreach to ensure maximum audience attendance and participation. To learn more about the Public Affairs office, click here.
Seven months prior to the performance
The Directors program the concert season. While every Marine Band concert is a unique experience, there is a general goal to provide a blend of important band works, classic transcriptions, virtuoso solo performances, marches, and exciting new repertoire. The formula for a specific concert may revolve around a theme, major work, guest artist or the works of a composer. To learn more about how the Directors program the concerts, click here.
Six months prior to the performance
The Library assigns a duty librarian who is responsible for concert preparation. Each of the seven librarians is assigned to a week. To learn more abou the Library, click here.
Public Affairs produces promotional materials, including a poster calendar, season brochure, and schedule card, which contain program concert information for the entire season. These materials are made available at the various concert venues, public libraries and through mailings. To request any of these materials, please contact the Pubic Affairs office at USMBPAO@mbw.usmc.mil.
Four months prior to the performance
The Library confirms repertoire information with the Directors. A Librarian investigates which pieces are available in-house. (The Marine Band Library is the largest working music library in the world with more than 50,000 titles.) If a piece is not available in the collection, the Librarian makes arrangements to purchase, rent, or borrow the selection. If new music is purchased, the Librarian catalogues the new music into the database and stamps the music with an accession number and Marine Band Library Property label. A typical Marine Band concert program contains six to eight titles.
Three months prior to the performance
Operations solidifies details with the various contacts that the concert venues. The Executive Assistant to the Director reviews and approves purchases for venues that require a fee. Supply personnel contract concert venues through the U.S. Marine Corps contracting system.
Two months prior to the performance
The Public Affairs specialist produces the Marine Band’s newsletter NOTES. This bi-monthly newsletter releases concert dates, location, and ticketing and program information. Public Affairs updates the website with programs and concert information.
The Librarian develops a program “rough.” This rough includes the selections titles, composer and arranger names, soloists, and special instrumentation. This rough is provided to the Section Leaders of the musicians and Operations for personnel scheduling. About this time, the Librarian also provides the scores to the Directors for review.
Audio Technicians decide which technician will work the concerts. One technician works each concert and concerts are recorded for archival purposes.
Music Production personnel may arrange and transcribe pieces. The Library obtains copyright and licensing permissions for newly arranged pieces.
The Library researches compositions and the Director develops the notes on the program. Program notes provide additional background information to the audience about the pieces and composers.
The Public Affairs specialists mail the season brochure to more than 25,000 local patrons for arrival prior to the Marine Band’s season opener in January. Schedule cards are distributed to various organizations and local libraries.
One month prior to the performance
A Librarian prepares all music to be placed into concert folders. Each Musician is allotted a folder prior to the concert for practice and rehearsal purposes. The Librarian reviews each piece of music to ensure that it is in good condition and ready for use.
Public Affairs contacts press for potential concert reviews and begins distribution of press releases to the calendar editors. Press releases are distributed on a monthly basis throughout the season.
The Audio Technician and Stage Manger conduct a site visit if it is the band’s first performance at the venue. The site visit provides valuable information for stage setup, loading, lighting and electrical components.
Two weeks prior to the performance
Operations obtains the musicians’ availability from each Section Leader. Roughly 60 musicians are needed for a band concert. When scheduling personnel for a concert, Operations must take into account the band’s other commitments for that week, including ceremonial duties, White House engagements, auditions, and recordings. Operations compiles a job sheet for the week of the concert, which includes the organization’s commitments and a rehearsal schedule for the concert.
The Librarian formats the formal program for distribution at the concert. The program is circulated through a number of proofing cycles before it is turned over to Public Affairs for duplication.
Stage Manager reviews programs for instrumentation and contacts the venue to ensure that special instrumentation in available, e.g. piano. Stage Manager reviews job sheet to assess special needs for musicians (example: extra space for large instruments) and creates a stage layout for the concert.
One week prior to the performance
Public Affairs distributes weekly email to patrons and updates the concert information line (202) 433-4011.
Week of performance
Public Affairs obtains final program from the Library and reproduces it for the concert. Public Affairs designs, writes and places all advertising. Public Affairs packs programs and publicity materials in a portable trunk to distribute to patrons at the concert.
Stage Crew sets up the rehearsal in John Philip Sousa Band Hall. The Stage Crew maintains the setup throughout the week.
Operations arranges transportation for the concert through Marine Barracks Washington.
The Audio Technician sets up all equipment up for rehearsals and records every rehearsal for reference use only.
Stage Crew inserts all programs into the program shells for Public Affairs to transfer to the concert.
The Musicians rehearse as a group Tuesday through Friday. Typically, about 60 musicians perform for a Marine Band concert. The rehearsals last approximately three hours. Rehearsals are strategically built so that certain sections of the band are not over-taxed.
The Librarian collects all of the music folders from the Musicians following the last rehearsal on Friday to ensure that all music arrives at the concert.
Stage Crew loads the trucks for the concert on Friday. Load-in takes approximately two hours.
Four hours prior to the performance
Stage Crew unloads the truck and sets up for the concert. The Stage Crew sets up the stage with chairs, stands and the large instruments, such as the timpani, and prepares the lobby for a Pre-Concert Ensemble performance. The Audio Technician sets up the recording system and places reinforcement microphones for the announcer, vocalist and soloist if needed.
Two hours prior to the performance
Musicians that require transportation to the concert meet at Marine Barracks Washington to depart for the concert.
One hour prior to the performance
The Librarian places all music on the stands.
Public Affairs sets up a welcome table, which contains programs and publicity materials.
Stage Crew sets up chairs and stands for Pre-Concert Ensemble. Stage Mangers remedy any power or lighting issues.
Musicians begin to warm-up.
Forty-five minutes prior to the performance
Pre-concert ensemble begins performance in the lobby of the venue.
Public Affairs greets and interacts with patrons and distributes concert programs.
Audio Technician performs a sound check for soloists and concert moderator.
Thirty minutes prior to the performance
Musicians prepare their uniforms.
Stage Crew clears the stage.
Public Affairs opens the doors to the hall for the public.
Two minutes prior to the performance
Stage Manager gives the stand by.
Musicians are called onto the stage. The concertmaster stands and tunes the band.
During the performance
Concert Moderator introduces the Director, then performance begins.
Stage Crew monitors for set changes and serves as backstage security.
Public Affairs tallies attendance.
Immediately following the performance
Patrons participate in a post-concert talk with the Director to learn more about the music and composers.
Stage Crew loads all equipment and return to Marine Barracks Washington.
Public Affairs escorts guests out of the venue and packs materials from publicity table.
A Librarian collects all music folders.
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