The All Canadian Alumni Drum Corps

FROM OUR President

 

Hello Everyone!

 

Has another year really slipped by?  It is always amazing how fast time flies by when you’re having fun.  We did have fun didn’t we??

 

Just a few more Santa parades to go and we all know they can be ~~~~ “pleasant”.

 

Many good things have taken place this year.  We finally got the hang of Seventy Six Trombones and our audiences seem to give us back a positive response.  In fact we always get a great response and review at our events from the crowds and from parade and event organizers.  Almost immediately after an event we are asked to come back the next year.  We must be doing something right! 

 

There are many elements that have to take place for any organization to be successful.  We are blessed to have been on the scene for an incredible 11 years with strong indications of more to come.    

A successful Trillium grant (thanks to Diana Chambers) put some smiles on the faces of the new horn recipients.  And don’t those new contras look great!!! 

 

From our ever capable and flamboyant drum major who gets the audience rockin with us  to our great instructors, our faithful volunteers, our ever hard working corps director, our diligent board of directors and officers who keep this ship sailing smoothly and in good financial order and lastly to you the marching members, who come out to practice, learn their music and be the best we can be I thank you and I salute you for a job well done.  That’s what I'm talkin about!!!

 

Thank you all.                              

 In the spirit of Drum Corps
                               
Alex Forsyth

 

As winter quickly approaches and another drum corps season comes to a close I would like to recognize once again the people who make this great corps work.  Some of you may think, didn’t we do this at the banquet?  The answer is yes, but unfortunately not all members can attend the banquet so I think it is worth mentioning again. 

 

Alex Forsyth – President of the Board of Directors.  Many may feel the job of the president starts and ends a Board of Director’s meeting, but it certainly doesn’t.  Alex and I talk on a regular basis to ensure the corps is staying on a straight course.

Scott Butcher – Vice President of the Board of Directors.  Scott also sits on the “and the Bands Played on” committee collecting advertisements for the show’s program.  He also assists Al Sutherland with the Pumpkinfest booth.

Teresa Eller – Treasurer of the Board of Directors.  Teresa also completes the work schedule for the Pumpkinfest booth.

Joy Pow – Secretary of the Board of Directors. Joy sits on the “and the Bands Played on” committee as Correspondence Secretary.  She also co-chairs the Banquet Committee and the Christmas Party Committee and of course secretary to the Corps Director.

Gary Lennon – Director on the Board of Directors. Gary sits on the “and the Bands Played on” committee collecting advertisements for the show’s program.

Karen Neault – Director on the Board of Directors. Karen is also on the Pumpkinfest Booth committee and co-chair of the Christmas Party.

Kim Earl – Director on the Board of Directors.  Kim is also on the “and the Bands Played on” committee for promotions. 

Diana Chambers – Director on the Board of Directors.  Diana also coordinates the distribution of uniforms, maintaining the music files and the Corps Newsletter.

Gary Ferris – Director on the Board of Directors.  Gary also coordinates the distribution of uniforms and the Corps Newsletter.

Al Sutherland – Assistant Corps Director.  Al also chairs the Pumpkinfest Booth.

Diane Ransom – Past Chairperson of the Board of Directors.  Diane co-chairs the Banquet Committee.

 

I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Les Whitehead and as Robert Judd would say…“for always being available to load and unload at the warehouse. For driving all the parts for the rig and spare drums to and from the parades. For assisting in assembly and disassembly of the drum rig at all hours of the day. For helping load and set up this year’s pie booth. Les is the best "roady" “, Les also assists as pace car driver. 

 

Thanks also to Rick Eller as driver of the pace car and Tom Lomas for assisting with the drum equipment.

 

Lastly I would like to take the opportunity to thank those people who contributed to my gift.  Although extremely unnecessary I do thank you.

 

To each member and in particular those individuals mentioned above, without your hard work we would not have had another successful year.

 

In the spirit of Drum Corps

Ed Pow

 

Editor’s Note:  Ed has been gracious enough to thank many members of our corps for their participation in coordinating and organizing many of the events.  However, it is also worthy of giving Ed the recognition for the many, many hours that he contributes to the ongoing success of our corps --- Thank you, Ed for all that you do!

 

 

We continue to add to our roster and we would like to say hello and welcome to:

 

Caroline Brownell – Soprano

Diane Mayes-Hamilton – Mellophone

Brad Price – Baritone

Tom Richardson - Percussion

Neil Smout – Soprano

 

 

 

Coming Events

_______________________________

 

It’s our busiest part of the year; with 5 upcoming Santa Claus parades (maybe we should convince the organizers to have these events in August or September!!).

 

 

Date	Event	Location
Nov 21	Santa Claus Parade	Port Dover Woodstock*
Nov 28	Santa Claus Parades	Caledonia Brantford
Dec 5	Santa Claus Parade	Paris***
Dec 6	Children’s Christmas Party & Pot Luck Dinner	Simcoe

 

*The corps will be providing pizza between the Port Dover and Woodstock parades at the Mutual Building at the Woodstock Fairgrounds at 4:00 pm.

 

** Ed and Joy Pow invite everyone back to their home in Brantford, at 69 Arthur Street for cider, hot chocolate and Christmas treats

 

*** Diane Ransom has graciously invited us to chili and socializing at her home after the Paris parade

 

We’ve added some new locations for Santa Claus parades this year – Port Dover and Caledonia and are returning to Brantford after a year’s absence.  Let’s make sure that we give the spectators the show they have grown to expect from us with a great turnout.  Please check the website (www.unitedalumni.com) to confirm parade information & routes.

 

Please give Ed the consideration he deserves by letting him know well in advance if you cannot attend a function so that he knows what the turnout will be. It is very frustrating to show up with just a few members and makes it difficult for the corps to continue to perform at our best.

 

 

 

                                                                                                   

 

To all members, past members, families and friends of the United Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps we wish everyone a very Safe and Merry Christmas!

                                                                                                                                                         

 Marching On

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any suggestions for an article for this newsletter please let us know (Diana Chambers or Gary Ferris) and we`ll look at getting it in at the first opportunity (also subject to editing). 

 

Also, all of our events and updates are published on our website.

 

Don't know our website address?  It is

http://www.unitedalumni.com

 

If you don’t have the password to access the Member’s section, please contact Ed and he will provide it to you.

 

Please feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who is interested in the drum corps movement

 

 

Lest We Forget 

 

On November 11^th, United Alumni paraded an Honour Guard at the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in Simcoe.  We do this in remembrance of all veterans; past, present and future who serve and protect our country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above, Drum Major Len Addley and President Alex Forsyth march with veterans to lay a memorial wreath on behalf of United Alumni Senior Drum and Bugle Corps.

 

Below, the Honour Guard marches past the reviewing party following the ceremony.

 

 

 

  

This newsletter is published quarterly by the United Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps for its members.  Please send comments to:  unitedalumni@hotmail.com