contact@virtuosocreative.com

• Q: What do you need to begin writing the drill?
  • A: The basics are: numbers, music scores (both winds and percussion), a count sheet breakdown and an mp3 of the music.
• Q: How early can you get started on the drill?
  • A: I can get started as early as you'd like me to, so long as I have all of the FINAL numbers, music scores, notes, completed contract and deposit.
• Q: How long will it take you to complete the show?
  • A: Due to my typically full and busy schedule, I require a minimum 6-week turn around time for the ENTIRE show to be completed - so long as I have ALL of the music, notes and numbers from the very start. If there are delays with music it could take extra time for me to complete the show for you. For example, if the closer music is not in my hands until late July, it could take me up to 2-3 weeks to write the drill, depending on how busy I am at that time. I have to take great care in putting the time into studying the music and being sure I set the band up for success with the best staged and highest quality drill I can.
• Q: When is the best time to contact you to request your services?
  • A: The best time would be anytime between November and March. The sooner the better. I am still willing to take inquiries late in the spring, however my schedule can fill up very fast. The earlier you get in contact with me, the better your chances are that I will be able to fit you into my schedule for the next year.
• Q: How much is the deposit?
  • A: The deposit is 25% of the total fee for the drill and is non-refundable.
• Q: When do you need a deposit by?
  • I require a deposit no later than May 1 of that marching year in order to guarantee your spot in my clientele. I am constantly receiving e-mails from directors in the late spring/early summer and each year the circumstances are different. Since my schedule can fill up very quickly, I would like to be able to confidently say a "yes" or a "no" to those who e-mail/call me.
• Q: When do you need music, notes and numbers by?
  • A: My preferred date is June 1. This start time gives me the best chance to meet those July deadlines and for those who start camps in late July/early August.
• Q: Do you do drill re-writes?
  • A: I will do re-writes, but there will be an added fee if it involves adding or subtracting positions after the drill is completed. A fee also applies if there are any music rewrites/changes that require drill adjustments after it has been written. Inaccuracies in the drill design on the part of myself will be corrected at NO charge.
• Q: Is the drill copyrighted?
  • A: The visual design book will remain my property for exclusive use by the client for the specified time frame.
• Q: What style of drill do you write?
  • A: As per my drum corps and teaching background, my strength lies in a very "geometric" style of visual design. I do feel I have a very strong understanding of ALL types of visual design, but I admit that it is a struggle for me to write in a "curvilinear" style.
• Q: What will I get when you are done writing the drill?
  • A: In addition to providing the drill charts (printed and emailed in PDF form) using whatever symbols are preferred by the client, I also include the complete set of student coordinates and a video animation of the drill with the music. The video will be posted on a dedicated page on my website for the directors to use for reference, or even share with students. This dedicated page will include links to download the PDF of the drill charts, coordinates and view the video animation.
• Q: Do you write the drill by hand or by computer?
  • A: I write the drill on the computer using Pyware 3D Java. Although, many of my key visual ideas come from sketches on post-its or on napkins when I'm hangin' out at the local Starbucks. :)

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