One hundred and ninety-five people participated in a survey posted on the Star Alumni Web Board in January 2006. Respondents located throughout North America and beyond participated, with the largest concentration of respondents residing in Indiana. The survey revealed the existence of sufficient talent and equipment available to support a performance ensemble. Additional skills in various disciplines including education, financial management, computers, events/fundraising, communications, general office work, merchandising, carpentry, transportation, and professional services were also identified in the survey. Respondents indicated a willingness to perform work on behalf of the Star Alumni Association in their homes or many miles away. Many also indicated a readiness to provide additional financial support for initiatives that interest them or when finances allow.

  
             
             
   

On January 1, 2006, approximately 750 members, supporters, and friend of the Star Alumni Association were offered the opportunity to participate in an online skills survey during the month of January. The intent of the survey is to assess resources available to the Star Alumni Association for the purpose of identifying possible initiatives to be undertaken.

 

Approximately 750 email notifications were used to direct respondents to the Star Alumni Web Board (staralumni.org) to take the survey. One hundred and ninety-five people (26%) completed the survey and 78 (10.1%) emails were undeliverable. Those invitees whose emails were undeliverable were sent a postcard notifying them of the survey and asking them to update their email accounts on the Web Board. Thirteen postcard recipients (16%) responded and thirteen postcards (16%) were returned as undeliverable. Results of the survey are presented below:

 

 

 

  
           
   

The following table provides a recap of the number of respondents per geographic region.

  
   
 

United States

    

State

 # of Respondents % of U.S. Respondents*  

Indiana

 55 31.4%  

Click here for a recap

of Indiana respondents

 

Kentucky

 16 9.1%

California

 9 5.1%

Texas

 9 5.1%

Georgia

 8 4.6%

Florida

 6 3.4%

Illinois

 6 3.4%

New York

 6 3.4%

Ohio

 6 3.4%

Tennessee

 6 3.4%

Minnesota

 5 2.9%

Colorado

 4 2.3%

New Jersey

 4 2.3%

Louisiana

 3 1.7%

Massachusetts

 3 1.7%

Maryland

 3 1.7%

Missouri

 3 1.7%

Nevada

 3 1.7%

Washington

 3 1.7%

Arkansas

 2 1.1%

Iowa

 2 1.1%

North Carolina

 2 1.1%

Virginia

 2 1.1%

Wisconsin

 2 1.1%

Arizona

 1 .6%

Connecticut

 1 .6%

District of Columbia

 1 .6%

Michigan

 1 .6%

Mississippi

 1 .6%

Nevada

 1 .6%

Pennsylvania

 1 .6%

Total

 175  

Total responses: 175 (20 skipped this question)

*Of the U.S. respondents who identified their location.

 

 

Other Lands

Country

# of

Respondents

% of

Respondents*

Canada

3

1.7%

Netherlands

1

.6%

*Of all respondents who identified their location.

 

 

  
           
   

Respondents overwhelmingly indicated their preferred method of contact is through email. This is not surprising considering the primary means of soliciting participants was through the World Wide Web.

  
   
 

Contact Method

 # of Respondents % of Respondents  

Email

 172 91.5%

Mobile Phone

 47 25.0%

Home Phone

 29 15.4%

Daytime Phone

 16 8.5%

Other: (carrier pigeon)

 1 .5%

Total responses: 188 (7 skipped this question)
 
     

 

        
             
   

The survey asked respondents to indicate specific skills they would be willing to utilize on behalf of the Star Alumni Association. The table below contains a ranking of skills sorted by popularity:

 

  
   

Performance Skill

# of Respondents % of Respondents

 

 

Trumpet

 54 34.6%

Mellophone

 29 18.6%

Visual Ensemble (flag)

26

16.7%

Euphonium

22

14.1%

Accessory Percussion

21

13.5%

Baritone

21

13.5%

Vocal

19

12.2%

Other*

18

11.5%

Tuba

16

10.3%

Visual Ensemble (dance)

 16 10.3%

Melodic Percussion

15

9.6%

Bass

14

9.0%

Trombone

13

8.3%

Visual Ensemble (rifle)

12

7.7%

Visual Ensemble (saber)

12

7.7%

Field Snare

10

6.4%

French Horn

 10 6.4%

Piccolo Trumpet

9

5.8%

Saxophone (all keys)

6

3.8%

Flute/Piccolo

4

2.6%

Tenor Drums

4

2.6%

Clarinet

3

1.9%

Piano

3

1.9%

Alto Horn

1

.6%

Oboe

0

0%

Bassoon

0

0%

Bagpipes

0

0%

Total responses: 156 (39 skipped this question)

 

*Eighteen "others" were posted that included: two administrative, two composers, two conductors, a teacher, visual instruction, didgeridoo, bass trombone, guitar, coffee, drum set, uniform design, cook, volunteer, one "n/a," and one (gasp) baton twirler/ballroom dancer.

  
 
     

 

        
             
             
   

Respondents were offered an opportunity to disclose equipment they own or can access for use by the Star Alumni Association. Here's a listing of available equipment sorted by popularity:

 

  
   

Performance Skill

# of Respondents % of Respondents  

Trumpet (B-flat)

 50 48.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mellophone

20

19.4%

Trombone

19

18.4%

Other*

 14 13.6%

Flugelhorn

13

12.6%

Tuba

 13 12.6%

Euphonium (upright)

 12 11.7%

Cornet (B-flat)

 11 10.7%

French Horn

 11 10.7%

Flute

 10 9.7%

Clarinet

 9 8.7%

Trumpet (C)

 8 8.7%

Accessory Percussion

 8 7.8%

Field Snare

 8 7.8%

Piccolo Trumpet

 7 6.8%

Baritone horn (bell-front)

 6 5.8%

Saxophone (alto)

 6 5.8%

Saxophone (tenor)

 6 5.8%

Tenor Drums

 6 5.8%

Trumpet (E-flat)

 5 4.9%

Marimba

 5 4.9%

Piccolo

 4 3.9%

Saxophone (baritone)

 4 3.9%

Xylophone

 4 3.9%

Bass Drum(s)

 4 3.9%

Bassoon

 3 2.9%

Oboe

 3 2.9%

Euphonium (bell-front)

 3 2.9%

Saxophone (soprano)

 3 2.9%

Baritone horn (upright)

 2 1.9%

Other Melodic Percussion

 1 1.0%

Alto horn (upright)

 0 0%

bagpipes

 0 0%

Total responses: 103 (92 skipped this question)

 

*Fourteen respondents offered "other" instruments that included: various percussion equipment, guitar, soprano bugle, bass and alto trombone, sound equipment, guard equipment.
 
             
     

 

        
             
   

In the following sections, respondents were asked to rate their proficiency level for various non-performance skills that they were interested in utilizing on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association. Respondents were asked to utilize a numerical range between 1 and 5:

 

1 = Skilled Professional; formerly or currently employed in this area, able to work independently and oversee others.

 

2 = Skilled Non-professional; able to take responsibility for my won work in the area without supervision.

 

3 = Semi-skilled; some "hands-on" experience in this area; able to take responsibility for my own work when given moderate supervision.

 

4 = Knowledgeable; no "hands-on" experience in this area; familiar with this area and able to perform or follow instructions regarding tasks.

 

4 = Unskilled; but I have interest in learning this area and participating.

 

An average percentage of responses for each dimension is included in the tables below. This percentage is used to rank the dimensions of skill (the most advanced skills are ranked first).

  
   

 

 

        
   

 

 
   

I have skills in educational/instructional areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association:

  
   
 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Marching

 49 33 20 11 3 2.02

Brass

 41 24 18 6 13 2.27

Field Drill Design

 23 7 11 17 23 3.12

Arranging/Composing

 19 10 12 15 25 3.21

Percussion

 14 11 11 15 27 3.38

Woodwind

 13 10 13 13 27 3.41

Visual Ensemble

 14 9 12 12 33 3.51

Vocal

 6 11 15 18 29 3.67

Electronic Instrumentation

 8 3 11 13 37 3.94

Total responses: 132 (63 skipped this question)
 
   

 

  
             
   

 

       
   

 I have skills in the following areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association:

  
   

 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Preparing Budgets

 10 7 16 7 30 3.57

Fund Raising

 7 11 20 9 31 3.59

Bookkeeping

 7 5 11 14 29 3.80

Accounting

 5 8 10 10 33 3.88

Investments

 2 4 7 11 37 4.26

Tax Preparation

 2 5 5 10 39 4.30

Grant Writing

 1 3 11 14 41 4.30

Total responses: 95 (100 skipped this question)

 

  
   

 

  
       
   

       
   

I have skills in the following computer disciplines that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association:

  
   

 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Microsoft Office Applications

 27 31 21 13 11 2.51

Music Notation Software

 26 10 8 14 32 3.18

Computer Configuration/Set-up/Hardware

 17 12 11 21 24 3.27

Website Design/Maintenance

 10 13 9 16 30 3.54

Total responses: 116 (79 skipped this question)
 
     

 

  
   

       
   

I have skills in the following public relations and sales areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association.

  
   

 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Public Presentations

 24 16 19 10 17 2.77

Event Coordination and Management

 15 22 21 10 20 2.98

Event Support Staff

 14 25 17 22 17 3.03

Marketing and Publicity

 17 8 13 16 25 3.30

Membership Recruitment

 9 12 17 15 25 3.46

Photography

 4 16 19 13 31 3.61

Grant Research and Writing

 1 4 14 8 39 4.21

Total responses: 121 (74 skipped this question)
 
     

 

        
   

 

       
   

I have skills in the following communications areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association:

  
   
 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Writing Articles

 8 29 17 14 22 3.14

Database Management

 14 9 14 10 24 3.30

Newsletter Editing

 4 17 21 11 26 3.48

Desktop Publishing

 5 16 17 12 26 3.50

Total responses: 101 (94 skipped this question)
 
     

 

  
   

 

       
   

I have skills in the following administrative areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association:

  
   

 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Answering Telephones

 20 20 18 16 11 2.74

Miscellaneous Office Work

 18 22 18 18 9 2.74

Copies/Binding

 16 22 18 18 13 2.89

Mailings

 15 17 20 21 13 3.00

Total responses: 95 (100 skipped this question)
 
     

 

        
   

 

       
   

I have the skills in the following merchandising areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association:

  
   

 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Marketing/Advertising

 16 14 11 10 25 3.18

Cashier

 11 20 10 13 24 3.24

Retail Work

 9 18 17 13 23 3.29

Inventory Control

 9 18 8 16 21 3.31

Product Design

 12 13 11 13 24 3.33

Sales Clerk

 10 15 13 10 26 3.36

Total responses: 97 (98 skipped this question)
 
     

 

        
   

 

       
   

I have skills in the following construction and maintenance areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association:

  
   

 

Skilled/

Professional

Skilled/Non

Professional

Semi-

skilled

Knowledge-

able

Unskilled

Response Average

Painting

 2 14 27 11 11 3.61

Maintenance (lawn, snow removal)

 2 11 17 7 31 3.79

Landscaping/Planting

 1 8 18 13 34 3.96

Drywall Installation

 2 8 12 13 36 4.03

Exhibit Design/Construction

 3 4 12 11 36 4.11

Plumbing

 0 9 8 10 39 4.20

Electrical Work

 0 5 10 10 40 4.31

Transportation/Delivery (have truck)

 3 4 4 7 42 4.35

Total responses: 88 (107 skipped this question)

        
 
             
   

 

       
   

I have skills in the following transportation areas that I am willing to use on the behalf of the Star Alumni Association: