That word used to mean more when you were a kid. Now that you’ve gotten older, you have to be more responsible. Unless you’re an a cappella singer, and you can re-live your childhood summers when you go on tour!
Think about it: your tour can let you have fun outdoors, hang out with friends, sleep over at people’s houses, pursue your favorite hobby, and have a care-free attitude. No school, only singing and fun. What more could you ask for? Plus, if you do it right, you can earn some extra cash while you’re at it.
Even the most experienced director can always use a little help when it comes to the difficult task of planning and executing your group’s summer tour. Below is a collection of suggestions that will help you get the biggest bang for your summer tour buck.
1. Prepare well in advance. The earlier the better. Months in advance, if you’ve got ‘em. But if you’re behind, just remember that it’s never too late to prepare. Start today!
2. Be organized. Have a detailed schedule, type it all up, and make sure your group knows about all the important details. That doesn’t mean that you should over-inform the group members about every little detail, but make sure they know what they’ll be doing each day. People like to know what to expect.
3. Schedule in some down time. A lot of over-zealous directors plan every second for singing, rehearsing, workshopping, and more performing. Not only will this tire out your group’s voices, but it brings on a lot of general fatigue. You should plan some time for just chilling and hanging out at a big house, or in a fun mall. And van time doesn’t count as down time.
If you’re lucky enough that your tour takes you to a more exotic area, don’t forget to plan some time for sight-seeing.
4. Have a purpose. Why are you going on tour, anyway? Okay, you want to hang out with your friends and sing all over the place. Who wouldn’t? But there must be some other reason. Are you going to do workshops, educate the younger generation? Are you sharing the stage with some of the country’s greatest a cappella groups? In between all your street-sings and late nights, you ought to have some big shows planned. What one, two, or three big performances will make your entire trip worthwhile?
5. Use your connections. Feeling confused about where to start? Just figure out who you already know. Talk to parents, friends, and contacts of your group’s members. To save some cash, sleep at one of your group members’ homes. If you’re in a collegiate group, alumni of the group are another great resource. Maybe you can perform for an alum’s company. Previous gigs, if done right, should turn into repeat gigs. Go sing at your old high school. Whatever you need to do, start with your current connections.
6. Send PR materials ahead of time. If you’re going to be singing at a school or a club, send a poster of your group or a CD or two a couple weeks before you show up; that’ll hopefully drum up some interest. It’s nice when people arrive at their company party, or at their school dance, or whatever, if there’s a poster of your group on an easel outside the entrance. Talk to the PR people that may be able to create a stir before your performance. Of course you want big audiences, and there’s only so much you can do to drum up interest once you arrive.
7. Drive safe. Unless you’re lucky enough to be flying, you’ll likely be driving throughout the length of the tour. Although you’ll be living it up with all your buds, don’t fall for the myth of invincibility. Being safe is cool.
8. Perform your guts out. Unless your voices are totally dying, take every chance to can get to share your craft. On the bus, in the street, at the restaurant, wherever you can. No audience is too small. Obviously you still need tact; don’t be one of *those* groups that won’t shut up in a quiet place. But if you’ve got something upbeat to share that you think the people will like, don’t be afraid to share. You’re performers!
9. Plan for the unexpected. Don’t forget to plan for driving time. Bring extra copies of your group introduction, extra copies of your lighting cues you already sent ahead, extra costumes, extra everything. Bring cash; some places don’t accept credit cards. Remember that MapQuest isn’t always perfect. Plan extra time for traveling. Not only will you be traveling in an unfamiliar area, but you’ll be in a group, which makes everything take longer. Have a couple extra songs ready, in case your host changes your set length. Know that things will rarely go according to plan, and just live with it; be flexible.
10. Take tons of pictures. Sometimes it feels silly to pose in front of a statue and have a stranger take photos with your 15 different cameras. But do it anyway. Your summer tour can be one of your greatest experiences – might as well capture the memories on film. Or on your digital memory card.
And as soon as possible, get photos and videos up on your group’s website so family, friends, and fans can enjoy the tour with you.
11. Bring lots of swag. If you can afford it, hand out caps, posters, and CDs to your fans. Give ‘em out to folks in the airport, to your waiter, and to the high school kids that worship you. Any time you sing for someone, give them a CD. People will never forget you, and play your CD for all their friends.
12. Leave lots of thank you notes in your wake. A little bit of gratitude goes a long way. In terms of behavior, people have very low expectations of college kids, and of performers in general; and unfortunately we live up to their expectations much of the time. A nice photo of your group in a simple thank-you card will mean a lot to your host families. Or a CD or something. Be grateful; it’s cool.
In sum, just prepare a bit, think ahead, and be flexible. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself. With a little preparation and forethought, your summer tour will provide great experience, be tons of fun, and take you back to your childhood summers.
