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Corps Newsletter

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2010, Issue 1 (March)

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FROM OUR President

Hello Everyone!

Well here we are at the end of February sledding our way through winter. The daylight getting longer each day and gets us closer to spring. Also, it’s time for another romp to Montreal. We wondered if our members were still up for the St. Patrick's Day event and lo and behold, the response was almost unanimous. Apparently most enjoy the camaraderie and the crowd’s enthusiasm to us.  So...game on. 

Another year begins with a few different events that sound like they are going to be fun. Not profitable after expenses but break even. But your executive feels that sometimes we got to go for the fun factor. It should be an interesting year coming up.

I noticed at the last few practices that attendance was much better and we thank you for that.  I know that we sound so much better when we have a good turnout and our instructors feel they are accomplishing more when all members are given instruction at the same time instead of in drips and dribbles. It’s definitely more efficient. Also I can say that as a horn player when I am the only horn in my group 2nd Baritone, what happens is you tend to blow harder and gasp for breath so your part can be heard. Of course when you try this, the sound is strained and not as melodious I know this is probably true for all of us. On the other hand, when we have more in our sections we can alternate our breathing and our confidence helps us produce a better quality of sound which in turn puts a bigger smile on our instructors. We all win.

As I look around the room at practices I am always reminded how blessed we are to have such a talented and dedicated group of musicians and a strong executive. It gives meaning to our moniker "THE UNITED ALUMNI DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS with an emphasis on "United". Keep your fires of enthusiasm burning.

In the spirit of Drum Corps
                               
Alex Forsyth

 I am sure most people have heard of the Ontario Drum Corps Association (ODCA) and the Canadian Drum Corp Association (CDCA).  Both organizations found their beginnings in 1934 under the name of the Canadian Bugle and Trumpet Band Association and reached their peak during the 1960’s and 1970’s with well over 100 drum corps across Ontario and Quebec alone.  With the unfortunate decline of drum corps both organizations became non-operational in 2006. 

On January 23, 2010, sixteen people from 7 drum corps organizations from across Ontario gathered in Kitchener to discuss the feasibility of regenerating a Drum Corps Association in Ontario.

 Organizations which were represented at meeting were:

·         DCAT Chorus

·         Canadian Ensemble of GAS

·         De La Salle Oakland Crusaders Alumni

·         Optimist Alumni

·         Scout House Alumni

·         United Alumni

·         Midlanders Alumni

·         Toronto Signals

 The purpose of this meeting was to explore the possibility of forming an Alumni Association in Ontario and possibly Canada with the intent to gain attraction to alumni drum corps and drum corps in general. The association would also assist and support each other to attract alumni drum corps, shows and possible reunions across Ontario and to form a Canadian Drum Corps Hall of Fame. 

It was a unanimous decision by all, that the concept of forming such an association has merit and the first executive was formed with John Dickenson as President, John Jones as Vice or Co-President (former ODCA President) and Joy Pow as secretary plus a minimum of one representative from each drum corps in Ontario.

It is great to see that Drum Corps isn’t dead in Ontario, and it is still thriving. With any luck we will be thriving for years to come.   

In the spirit of Drum Corps

Ed Pow

Shown above are the attendees at the initial meeting

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!

Welcome and Welcome Back

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

Mark Lewis – Percussion

 2010 St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patricks’ Day is fast approaching and we want to put on a great performance in Montreal. Departure is Saturday Mar 13^th at 6:00am so don’t keep the bus waiting. Please remember to bring your ‘special’ hat as this adds to our appearance.

  This is quite the honour for the United Alumni to be invited to participate in this event. It will be a long bus ride to Buckhannon West Virginia but none the less will be a great experience for everyone. Please help make our performance unforgettable for West Virginia by attending this event.

If you haven’t already done so, please complete the survey on-line at our website (www.unitedalumni.com) or contact Ed to advise him.  We need to know this by December 6, 2009.

Coming Events

_______________________________

(T) denotes tentative

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.

Facts & Figures - Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps*

Did you ever wonder what it would cost for a corps to participate in the DCI circuit for a season?

Gary & I had the privilege to attend a rehearsal with the Blue Devils of Concord, CA when they performed in Buffalo last summer.

Not only did we come away with a new-found respect for these young musicians, but also with amazement for what their corps directors have to work with.

Here are some of the details that the directors deal with on a daily basis.

Arrive to Show Day with 200 people – 150 members, 20 teachers, 10 drivers, 6 cooks, 2 managers, and 3 promotional sales people.

Travel requirements as follows:

3 – 55 passenger motor coaches

1 – 16 bunk converted coach

1 – 12 bunk custom entertainer coach

2 – 45’ semi-tractor trailer combos

1 – 26’ box truck pulling a flat trailer & custom       golf cart

1 – 24’ box truck pulling a 14’ concession trailer

1 – Class C motor home RV

To fuel this fleet – 1 stop = $5,000.

One breakfast – 8 gallons of milk, 5 gallons of orange juice, 10 loaves of bread and 4 large jars of jam

SO – I guess we’re pretty lucky we do not have to incur these costs.

* Information gleaned from the Blue Devils show day program

Spit and Polish

We’ve got some big events coming up and we want to make sure that not only is our performance first rate, we want to look as good as we can.  Good impressions count and keep the invitations coming in for return engagements or new “gigs” (as Alex would say)

So please – make sure your horns are polished, your shoes are shined.  If there are any problems with your uniform, see either Diana or Gary.

Getting to Know You!

Next issue we will be starting to look at our members and get to know them better.  We’ve got a pretty diverse bunch – lots of individuals, couples and even almost complete families.

So when you see the cub reporter coming with camera and notepad in hand, you’ll be part of one of our future issues.

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). 

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

Woodstock Santa Claus Parade

Always dedicated aren’t ya Bar!!!

Drum line all decked out in their festive best!

Marching out of the night and into the spotlight!

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United Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps Inc.

PO. Box 845, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada  N3Y 4T2

Web Master is Ed Pow - Art Design by Robert Judd

info@unitedalumni.com

www.unitedalumni.com