EASYChoice School Fund Raiser

Recording a school CD is a brilliant way to fund raise for projects requiring extra cash.  We know many schools are strapped for extra money for projects, so here is a great way to raise money and teach the kids a little about recording on the way.

Here's how it works.  For every child participating in the school CD recording, you can bank on at least one CD sale.  If you make it a requirement for the children involved to buy a CD, you can count on the number of pre-sales you will have before the project even gets going.  For some larger schools it is not unreasonable to expect 100 children or more be involved somehow along the way.  The goal is to cover the costs of your recording off the bat before we even start setting up microphones.  The balance of CDs printed then become pure profit.

Example scenario:

The goal is to sell your break even amount before we even start.  Here are some figures for you to consider:

Basic CD recording costs:

• Basic recording, mixing and mastering rate from OSP $580 (+GST)

• Estimated CD Duplication costs (based on 500 copies) $1200 (+GST)

Total production cost of just over $2000 with GST.  Divided over the 500 CD you will be delivered equates to $4 odd per CD cost.  A CD recording could retail for around $15-$25, but if we call it $20 for this example, that means you need to pre-sell 125 copies to break even.  This would leave you 375 copies to sell at $20 each, totaling $7500.

How do you sell your CDs? Well that's the challenge for you and the children, though in our experience everyone get right in behind CD recordings, especially if they're are featured on it.  Make sure you have a worthwhile project to spend the proceeds on - for instance buying new audio equipment, setting up a scholarship fund or maybe staging a school musical?  Family and friends are an obvious start, but you could also approach local businesses for sales or even sponsorship.  The trick is to involve as many children as possible playing or singing, even behind the scenes or with the artwork.  Many schools have choir groups, orchestras and rock bands who would be ideal for the CD too. Why not join forces with another school to share the costs?

Set up prizes for most sold, sell them at shows or galas, advertise in your school newsletter.  Even if you only managed to sell 250 additional copies over the next 6 months, that still $2500 of profit!

Covering the initial recording cost is the key.  OSP can help with advice and tips.

How do we record?  You choose the venue, normally the school hall or music room.  We set up the required equipment to record large groups and bands, and then after that we break down the equipment to work with smaller groups or soloists.  We allow up to 8 hours on-location time to record, which should be ample to capture everything.  Though as with all things involving school children, it will require organization by the teachers to run smoothly.  Most schools spend about 6 months practicing their material so on the day it is well rehearsed and ready to go.

The OSP School Fund Raising recording package includes the following:

Live Capture pack:

• 24 tracks of digital, 48k 32bit high definition audio recording.

• Excellent selection of pro mics from Shure, AKG, SE, Audio Technica and CAD. DI's and other required equipment included.

• Instant playback monitoring so you can check your performance on the fly.

Studio Production pack:

• Basic mixing of up to 24 tracks on our amazing world class D&R Triton console.

• Basic mastering included using our DBX Quantum II mastering finalizer.
• Copy of all original recorded tracks supplied on separate DVD or HD* (Hard drive and enclosures extra)
• Final master CD for you to duplicate and distribute.

EASYChoice School Fund Raiser package rate $580 (+GST).

Includes up to 8 hours on-location recording, Live Capture pack & Studio Production pack.

Optional extras:

• In studio overdubs or further editing $65/hour.

• Graphic artwork, layouts or design for CD covers $50/hour

Please note: CD duplication on larger scales is not handled by OSP.  We recommend Stebbings Recording to duplicate larger runs of 100 or more CD.  Charges cost from around $2.25 per CD, including all of the artwork, 4 page booklet and printing on the CD.  Please contact them directly for more information.  OSP do not recommend schools burn their own CDs, not only is this more expensive in the long run, but home burnt CD's tend to have issues playing on some CD players and the printed artwork looks bad compared to the professionally printed versions.