1998 DTDA National Survey of Dance/Drill Team Directors

The purpose of this survey is tri-fold:

• to establish the needs of our members
• to establish a useful tool of comparison for directors in terms of pay, duties, experience, and qualifications
• to assist in the creation of national standards for our industry.

If you cannot answer a question or do not wish to answer a question, please respond 0 for no response.

If we can contact you to interview you regarding your dance/drill program and responses, please sign the top of your survey form.

Please respond on the National Survey Form found at the back of this magazine on the perforated page . You can mail your responses to DTDA, PO Box 940405, Plano, TX 75094-0405 by June 1, 1998.

A1. What is the highest education level you have achieved?

1. High School
2. Some Undergraduate College Coursework
3. Associates degree from a college
4. Bachelors degree from a college
5. Some Graduate college Coursework
6. Masters Degree from a college
7. Currently a doctoral candidate
8. Doctoral degree from a college

A2. How many years experience have you had as a director of a performance team?

0. none
1. First year
2. 2 - 3 years
3. 4 to 6 years
4. 7-9 years
5. 10 - 14 years
6. 15 - 19 years
7. 20 years or more

A3. How many different teams have you directed?

0. none
1. one team
2. two teams
3. three teams
4. four to five teams
5. six to eight teams
6. nine or more teams

A4. How many more years do you plan to continue directing?

0. None
1. one more year
2. two to three more years
3. four to six more years
4. seven to ten more years
5. eleven to fifteen more years
6. sixteen or more years

A5. What is your marital status?

1. Single
2. Married
3. Married (second or greater time)
4. Divorced
5. Widowed

A6. Which type of team do you currently direct?

0. None (Thank you for your responses. You should stop here.)
1. Studio with varied ages (please skip B,C, D, and E, and go to section F )
2. Pee Wee/Elementary (please skip to D/E , your responses should be in column E)
3. Junior High/Middles School (please skip to D and E, your responses should be in column D)
4. High School Junior Varsity (please answer the following question in Column C)
5. High School Varsity Team (Continue with question B1 below and answer in Column B)
6. College ( please skip to section G and answer in Column G)
7. Professional (you can stop here)

B/C1. What size is your school?

1. Private School
2. 3A HS & Under (less than 714 students)
3. 4A (715-1599 students)
4. 5A (1600 or more students)

B/C2. What size is your team?

1. Under 15
2. (16-20)
3. (21-30)
4. (31-40)
5. (41-50)
6. (51-65)
7. over 66

B/C3. What kind of summer camp/training does your team do?

0. None
1. Team camp at school conducted by director and officers (choreography by director and officers)
2. Team camp at school conducted by director and officers (choreography from officer camp)
3. Team camp at school conducted by individual choreographer(s)
4. Private Camp - Team camp at school conducted by a professional camp company
5. Team Camp (away) with professional camp company curriculum offered
6. Custom Team Camp Away with most routines choreographed specifically for my team

B/C4. What kind of training do your officers receive in the summer?

0. Our team does not have officers
1. Our officers do not attend a training camp.
2. Officer Camp at school
3. Some special training for officers during our team private camp at school
4. Officer camp away
5. Officer camp away plus leadership training at home school

B/C5. Does your team do a Spring Show?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C6. Why does your team do a Spring Show?

0. Does not do a show
1. Fundraiser
2. Required by curriculum
3. For the experience
4. Tradition
5. Other

B/C7. How many different routines does your team perform during football season (at football halftimes)?

0. We do not attend football games.
1. We attend football games as a spirit group but do not perform.
2. (1-4)
3. (5-7)
4. (8-10)
5. More than 10

B/C8. How many Basketball games does your team usually perform at in one season?

0. We do not attend any basketball games.
1. We attend basketball games as a spirit group only but do not perform at halftime.
2. (1-4)
3. (5-10)
4. (10-15)
5. more than 15

B/C9. How many sporting events does your team attend (not perform at) throughout the year? You should include baseball, volleyball, and any other events that you attend as a spirit organization for your school.

0. 0
1. (1-4)
2. (5-10)
3. (10-15)
4. more than 15

B/C10. At how many pep rallies does your team perform?

0. None
1. (1-3)
2. (4-6)
3. (7-9)
4. (10+)

B/C11. How many contests does your team attend each year?

0. None
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four or more

B/C12. How many community related performances does your team perform each year?

0. None
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four or more

B/C13. Do you travel with your team (overnight, away from home, excluding camp)?

0. No
1. Yes, once a year
2. Yes, two or more times a year
3. Yes, every other year
4. Yes, every 3 years

B/C14. How much budget money do you receive from your school district?

0. None
1. less than $500
2. ($501-$1000)
3. ($1001-$1500)
4. ($1501-$2000)
5. ($2001-$3000)
6. ($3001-$5000)
7. (More than $5000)
8. ($10,000+)

B/C15. How much stipend do you receive for directing the drill/dance team?

1. None
2. less than $500
3. ($501-$1000)
4. ($1001-$1500)
5. ($1501-$2000)
6. ($2001-$3000)
7. ($3001-$5000)
8. more than $5000 per year

B/C16. Are you paid for any "extra days" that are not already included in your stipend?

0. No extra days
1. 1-5 extra days
2. 6-10 extra days
3. 11-15 extra days
4. 16-20 extra days
5. 21 or more days

B/C17. Does your team receive Fine Arts Credit for your dance/drill team class?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C18. Does your team receive Physical Education Credit?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C19. When does your team practice?

1. Class time only
2. Before school + class time
3. After school + class time
4. Before school, No class time
5. After school, No class time
6. Before and after school only
7. Before school, after school, and during class time

B/C20. Approximately how many hours total do you spend a week preparing for drill team, conducting practice, attending performances, etc.during your busiest performance time of the year (including class time)?

1. 1-4 hours
2. 5-7 hours
3. 8-10 hours
4. 11-14 hours
5. 15 - 20 hours
6. 21-25 hours
7. more than 25 hours

B/C21. Approximately how many hours total do you spend a week preparing for drill team, conducting practice, attending performances, etc.during your slowest performance time of the year (including class time)?

1. 1-4 hours
2. 5-7 hours
3. 8-10 hours
4. 11-14 hours
5. 15 - 20 hours
6. 21-25 hours
7. more than 25 hours

B/C22. Where does your team normally practice? Please choose the primary location only.

1. Gym
2. Cafeteria
3. Foyer/Activity Area
4. Dance Studio
5. Outside Only
6. Auditorium
7. Hallway
8. Classroom

B/C23. Do you consider practice space to be a shortage and problem at your school?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C24. Does your team have a Booster Club?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C25. How many parents are involved with your Booster Club?

0. We do not have a booster or parent club.
1. Less than 25%
2. 25%-49%
3. 50%-74%
4. 75%-89%
5. 90%-100%

B/C26. How much money does your Booster Club raise annually?

0. We do not have a booster club.
1. $1000 or less
2. $1001-$2500
3. $2501-$5000
4. $5001-$10,000
5. $10,001 - $15,000
6. $15,001 - $20,000
7. $20,000 +

B/C27. With 52 weeks in a year, how many weeks do you spend that are "off" or free from your drill team duties? Please do not include weeks spent on professional organizations or private company teaching. You should only count weeks free from your professional responsibilities as a drill team instructor at your school.

0. Uncertain
1. I physically work or plan for drill team every single week of the year. I have no weeks free.
2. 1-2 week free
3. 3-4 weeks free
4. 5-6 weeks free
5. 7-8 weeks free
6. 9-13 weeks free
7. 14-18 weeks free
8. more than 18 weeks free

B/C28. New team members on your team usually spend how much of their personal funds to purchase required uniforms, camp expenses, etc. to be on the team?

0. Our team members do not have to come up with their own funds.
1. less than $250
2. $250-500
3. $500-750
4. $750-1000
5. $1000 to 1400
6. $1400 to 1800
7. $1800 to 2100
8. $2100 to $2500
9. more than $2500

B/C29. Which of the following best describes how often your drill team meets during class time?

0. We do not meet as a class, only before or after school.
1. Daily during class
2. We are on block schedule and meet every other day during class.
3. We are on black schedule and meet every day during class.

B/C31. Are you a member of any state professional drill team organization?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C32. Are you a member of any professional teachers association?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C33. Does the professional teachers association you belong to offer liability coverage for your professional duties?

0. I am not a member of a professional teachers association.
1. No, they do not offer liability coverage.
2. Yes

B/C34. Are you a member of any other national dance organization besides DTDA?

0. No
1. Yes

B/C35. In the past four years, our team has traveled (choose the highest number applicable)

0. Our team has not traveled out of our city.
1. To other cities in our state.
2. Out of State
3. Out of the Country

NOTE: Please answer D/E1 in the space for D1, etc.

D/E1. Is your position paid by the school district?

0. No
1. Yes

D/E2. What size is your team?

1. Under 15
2. (16-20)
3. (21-30)
4. (31-40)
5. (41-50)
6. (51-65)
7. over 66

D/E3. What kind of summer camp/training does your team do?

0. None
1. Team camp at school conducted by director and officers (choreography by director and officers)
2. Team camp at school conducted by director and officers (chorgraphy from officer camp)
3. Team camp at school conducted by individual choreographer(s)
4. Private Camp - Team camp at school conducted by a professional camp company
5. Team Camp (away) with professional camp company curriculum offered
6. Custom Team Camp Away with most routines choreographed specifically for my team

D/E4. How many different routines does your team perform during a year?

0. We do not attend football games.
1. We attend football games as a spirit group but do not perform.
2. (1-4)
3. (5-7)
4. (8-10)
5. More than 10

D/E5. Where do the majority of your performances occur

1. Our school sporting events
2. Community events other than our school events
3. Competitions

D/E6. How many contests does your team attend each year?

0. None
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four or more

D/E7. Do you travel with your team (overnight, away from home, excluding camp)?

0. No
1. Yes, once a year
2. Yes, two or more times a year
3. Yes, every other year
4. Yes, every 3 years

D/E8. How much budget money do you receive from your school district or association board?

0. None
1. less than $500
2. ($501-$1000)
3. ($1001-$1500)
4. ($1501-$2000)
5. ($2001-$3000)
6. ($3001-$5000)
7. (More than $5000)
8. ($10,000+)

D/E9. How much stipend do you receive for drill team (please check in both columns)?

0. None
1. less than $500
2. ($501-$1000)
3. ($1001-$1500)
4. ($1501-$2000)
5. ($2001-$3000)
6. ($3001-$5000)
7. more than $5000 per year

D/E10. Are you paid for any "extra days" that are not already included in your stipend?

0. No extra days
1. 1-5 extra days
2. 6-10 extra days
3. 11-15 extra days
4. 16-20 extra days
5. 21 or more days

D/E11. Does your team receive Fine Arts Credit for your dance/drill team class?

0. No
1. Yes

D/E12. Does your team receive Physical Education Credit?

0. No
1. Yes

D/E13. When does your team practice?

1. Class time only
2. Before school + class time
3. After school + class time
4. Before school, No class time
5. After school, No class time
6. Before and after school only
7. Before school, after school, and during class time

D/E14. Approximately how many hours total do you spend in a week preparing, conducting practice, and attending performances a week during your busiest performance time of the year (including class time)?

1. 1-4 hours
2. 5-7 hours
3. 8-10 hours
4. 11-14 hours
5. 15 - 20 hours
6. 21-25 hours
7. more than 25 hours

D/E15. Approximately how many hours total do you spend in a week preparing, conducting practice, and attending performances a week during your slowest performance time of the year (including class time)?

1. 1-4 hours
2. 5-7 hours
3. 8-10 hours
4. 11-14 hours
5. 15 - 20 hours
6. 21-25 hours
7. more than 25 hours

D/E16. Where does your team normally practice? Please choose the primary location only.

1. Gym
2. Cafeteria
3. Foyer/Activity Area
4. Dance Studio
5. Outside Only
6. Auditorium
7. Hallway
8. Classroom

D/E17. Does your team have a Booster Club?

0. No
1. Yes

D/E18. How many parents are involved with your Booster Club?

0. We do not have a booster or parent club.
1. Less than 25%
2. 25%-49%
3. 50%-74%
4. 75%-89%
5. 90%-100%

D/E19. How much money does your Booster Club raise annually?

0. We do not have a booster club.
1. $1000 or less
2. $1001-$2500
3. $2501-$5000
4. $5001-$10,000
5. $10,001 - $15,000
6. $15,001 - $20,000
7. $20,000 +

D/E20. With 52 weeks in a year, how many weeks do you spend that are "off" or free from your drill team duties? Please do not include weeks spent on professional organizations or private company teaching. You should only count weeks free from your professional responsibilities as a drill team instructor at your school.

0. Uncertain
1. I physically work or plan for drill team every single week of the year. I have no weeks free.
2. 1-2 week free
3. 3-4 weeks free
4. 5-6 weeks free
5. 7-8 weeks free
6. 9-13 weeks free
7. 14-18 weeks free
8. more than 18 weeks free

D/E21. New team members on your team usually spend how much of their personal funds to purchase required uniforms, camp expenses, etc. to be on the team?

0. Our team members do not have to come up with their own funds.
1. less than $250
2. $250-500
3. $500-750
4. $750-1000
5. $1000 to 1400
6. $1400 to 1800
7. $1800 to 2100
8. $2100 to $2500
9. more than $2500

D/E22. Are you a member of any state professional drill team organization?

0. No
1. Yes

D/E23. Are you a member of any professional teachers association?

0. No
1. Yes

D/E24. Does the professional teachers association you belong to offer liability coverage for your professional duties?

0. I am not a member of a professional teachers association.
1. No, they do not offer liability coverage.
2. Yes

D/E25. Are you a member of any other national dance organization besides DTDA?

0. No
1. Yes

D/E26. In the past four years, our team has travelled (choose the highest number applicable)

0. Our team has not travelled out of our city.
1. To other cities in our state.
2. Out of State
3. Out of the Country

F1 How many team members participate in your dance and drill team program?

1. Under 15
2. (16-20)
3. (21-30)
4. (31-40)
5. (41-50)
6. (51-65)
7. over 66

F2. Where do the majority of your performances occur

1. Recital
2. Community events
3. Competitions
4. Sporting events

F3. How many contests does your team attend each year?

0. None
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four to Six
5. Seven to Ten
6. More than Ten

F4. Do you travel with your team (overnight, away from home, excluding camp)?

0. No
1. Yes, once a year
2. Yes, two or more times a year
3. Yes, every other year
4. Yes, every 3 years

F5. Approximately how many hours total does your performance team practice a week during your busiest performance time of the year?

1. 1-2 hours
2. 3-4 hours
3. 5-7 hours
4. 8-10 hours
5. 11-14 hours
6. 15 - 20 hours
7. 21-25 hours
8. more than 25 hours

F6. Approximately how many hours total does your team practice a week during your slowest performance time of the year (including class time)?

1. 1-2 hours
2. 3-4 hours
3. 5-7 hours
4. 8-10 hours
5. 11-14 hours
6. 15 - 20 hours
7. 21-25 hours
8. more than 25 hours

F7. Where does your team normally practice? Please choose the primary location only.

1. Gym
2. Cafeteria
3. Foyer/Activity Area
4. Dance Studio
5. Outside Only
6. Auditorium
7. Hallway
8. Classroom
9. Other

F8. Does your team have a Booster Club?

0. No
1. Yes

F9. How many parents are involved with your Booster Club?

0. We do not have a booster or parent club.
1. Less than 25%
2. 25%-49%
3. 50%-74%
4. 75%-89%
5. 90%-100%

F10. Is your Booster Club:

0. We do not have a booster club.
1. Overall a positive influence
2. Overall a negative influence

F11. How much money does your Booster Club raise annually?

0. We do not have a booster club.
1. $1000 or less
2. $1001-$2500
3. $2501-$5000
4. $5001-$10,000
5. $10,001 - $15,000
6. $15,001 - $20,000
7. $20,000 +

F12. New team members on your team usually spend how much of their personal funds to purchase required costumes, lessons, etc. to be on the team?

0. Our team members do not have to come up with their own funds.
1. less than $250
2. $250-500
3. $500-750
4. $750-1000
5. $1000 to 1400
6. $1400 to 1800
7. $1800 to 2100
8. $2100 to $2500
9. more than $2500

F13. Are you a member of any state professional drill team organization?

0. No
1. Yes

F14. Are you a member of any other national dance organization besides DTDA?

0. No
1. Yes

F15. In the past four years, our team has traveled (choose the highest number applicable)

0. Our team has not traveled out of our city.
1. To other cities in our state.
2. Out of State
3. Out of the Country

G1. Do you teach other classes at the college besides directing the drill team?

0. No
1. Yes

G2. How are you paid?

0. Not paid
1. Salary for teaching class + additional stipend for directing the dance team.
2. Salary for teaching class but not paid for dance team
3. Salary for teaching dance team only
4. Other

G3. How many candidates audition for your team each year (do not include returning members)?

1. 1-10
2. 11-20
3. 21-30
4. 31-40
5. 41-50
6. 51-75
7. 76 or more

G4. What is the total dollar value of scholarships available to your drill team members?

0. None
1. Less than $500
2. $500 to 1500
3. $1500 to 3000
4. $3000 to 5000
5. $5000 to 10,000
6. $10,000 to 15,000
7. more than $15,000

G5. How many members are usually on your team each year?

1. Less than 15
2. 15 to 30
3. 31 to 50
4. 51 to 75
5. more than 75

G6. In the last four years, has your team traveled (choose the highest applicable number)?

0. Our team did not leave our city
1. Traveled within our state
2. Traveled out of state
3. Traveled out of the country

This survey was written by Melissa Interrante for Dance/Drill Team Directors of America in March of 1998. Thanks to Joyce Pennington of American Dance/Drill Team School for submitting her 1995 survey as a source in the development of this survey.