Newmarket-Aurora Era, Wednesday, April 4, 1984
NEWMARKET - Cindey Vey often wonders what her life would have been like if she had not been involved in drum corps.
At age 20, the energetic Newmarket resident has spent half her life marching with the successful Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps. She, with other members of her family, has seen the corps go through many changes during long practice hours, numerous bus trips and many tense high calibre competitions.
In the fall of 1974, a year after the corps was initiated in Aurora, Cindy signed up, and as a dedicated member ever since, she is proud of the group as it celebrates its 10th anniversary this season.
Although she wonders what she might have done if not devoted to drum corps, Cindy told the Era last week she has no regrets, just good memories and a strong feeling that it has all been worthwhile.
Cindy explained that drum corps, more than any other organization or sport, requires tremendous dedication because it is not just a seasonal interest but rather "a way of life" year round for as long as a member is a participant in the corps.
However, just as drum corps demands a lot of the individual, it can also give back a lot. The intensity of battling stiff competition, the thrill of victory and the crush of defeat, hopefully tempered with good sportsmanship are emotions commonly experienced by marching members.
And in addition to competitions the showy top quality corps has earned a reputation as a class act and been invited to perform in parades in many parts of Ontario, and the northeastern United States. The Ambassadors have also gained fame on the field at Argo football matches and Blue Jay baseball games.
Just last year the local corps was greeted in Ottawa at the Conservative leadership convention with the distinction of backing a winner as, what one parent called, "Brian Mulroney's personal band." "They were brought down as the best," said Cindy's father Harry, adding, "It was an excellent time for them."
Mr. Vey recalled another thrilling experience with the Ambassadors a few years ago when the corps marched into an Illinois stadium filled with 50,000 wildly cheering people the local group as representatives of the nation that had aided some potential hostages to free Iran.
[ Sam's comment: This happened on tour in 1980. Ken Taylor, Canadian ambassador to Iran had recently spirited a group of Americans out of Iran before they could be taken hostage by the new regime in Iran. However, the Ambassadors received thanks and applause as Canadian representatives in the U.S. in several July 4rth parades in Chicago, IL and surrounding area. There were probably 50,000 people along the Chicago parade route, but the contests we were in on tour were never that big. ]
As well as the highlights of special occasions, the father of five marching members over the years, said he and other parents are always proud when watching the Ambassadors perform in such fine form. "We as parents are extra proud of what they have accomplished over the last 10 years," said Mr. Vey.
Mr. Vey described the Ambassadors as a tremendous organization and noted that the dedication of the marching members is passed down from instructors and the corps administration.
The Ambassadors started as a street parade corps in September 1973 with Paul Ranson, aided by his wife Bev, as the founding director. Mr. Ranson guided the Ambassadors through rewarding years of national accomplishment until 1981 when he retired and was succeeded by present corps director Bob Middleton.
Mr Ranson's idea to start the corps was presented to the Aurora Kiwanis Club by service club member Ray Philbey, who with his wife Joan also helped the early Ambassadors to get off the ground. Another notable founding member of the corps is Roy Munro who offered valuable management services to the corps administration.
The Ambassadors first competed in the novice class in 1975 and triumphed as the Canadian National Novice Champions. In 1976, the corps captured the same honor in the Bantam class. Moving up to the C category in 1978 the Ambassadors were named the Ontario and National C class champions. [ Sam's comment: the move up to C class happened in 1977, however the Ambassadors did not win a national championship that year ] The following year the corps finished the season as Central Circuit C class champs as well as Canadian nationa champions in C class. Again in 1980 the Ambassadors succeeded as national champions and also achieved the top score in the C class of Drum Corps International Canada(DCI). In 1981, the Ambassadors moved up to B class and were named provincial champions plus Canada Circuit champions. In addition the corps finished in the top half of DCI A class in Montreal.
This year the Ambassadors are again competing in the high standard A class division with the hope of one day being the best A class corps in North America, according to Mr. Middleton.
Mr Middleton was president of the Newmarket Lions club the year it took over sponsorship of the Ambassadors. As director, the Newmarket resident sees a positive future for the Ambassadors including a few changes he hopes to make.
Looking ahead Mr. middleton said the corps will have to take a different approach to recuiting in order to keep its numbers high enough to be in a position to compete with the big corps. The corps is presently marching 73 members aged 11-21, but would prefer about 90 with 128 being the optimum number, according to Cindy Vey. Currently there is a 50-50 male female split.
Another change the director hopes to achieve is making the Ambassadors self-supporting financially. "To be successful we have to have good equipment," he said. Mr Middleton said the corps is pursuing sponsorship and will also continue fundraising efforts in progress such as the weekly bingo at the Newmarket Community Centre, plus other special events. Mr. Middletonestimated the yearly opening cost of the Ambassadors at between $ 75,000 and $ 90,000. Currently the Town of Newmarket is the corps' only sponsor.
One aspect of the corps organization that will not change, however, is the method of practice which has produced such a well oiled machine over the years. There are 13 instructors.
Indoor practice, now at Meadowbrook Public School, starts in September, just a few weeks after the long summer season comes to an halt and continues through May when the corps head outside to put the sound and the marching manouevre together. During the winter it is two-and-a-half hours every Tuesday and Thursday night. Saturday rehearsals are also common.
However, the keen preparation over the long winter months is just a warm up for the members who surge full steam ahead into a hectic summer schedule comprised of practice, parades and competitions. Every weekend once the season starts in June the Ambassadors members are either competing, often on the road, or putting in long practice sessions usually 12 hours at a stretch.
Last year, unable to secure an outdoor site in Newmarket the group was forced to pack an equipment vehicle and head to a field in Kettleby, but this season the town has granted the corps the use of recently purchased property on Mulock Dr., a change Corps Director Bob Middleton is looking forward to.
Although, the Ambassadors do need a sizable property on which to execute manoeuvres, sound rather than size has been the majot concern of the corps in finding an outdoor pratice home.
To some, drum corps is simply "too much noise, " but according to any drum corps member or supporter, such a negative opinion is born of a lack ofunderstanding. Cindy challenged anyone unable to appreciate the "sound of the corps" to come out and enjoy a show or observe the dedication of practice. "A lot of people are unaware of what drum corps really is," she said.
To Cindy, on the color guard and a former drum major, and to many other corps members in groups across North America, drum corps has become a second family. "It has become a home away from home," said Cindy. She said she and her four brothers who have also been members of the Ambassadors, have, have developed many friendships over the years with other members, instructors and corps supporting groups largely made up of parents.
As well as the friendships gained Cindy feels that belonging to Ambassadors has taught her a lot and helped her develop. "When I first joined. I was very, very shy," said Cindy who now admits that she is helping others overcome such problems as well as lending as ear and giving advice. "I'm like a Dear Abbey," she joked.
As one of the oldest marching members -- this is the last season Cindy will be eligible for the corps -- the corps veteran is able to recall numerous colorful memories in the history of the Ambassadors including some "tough times" in the early days.
She described the corps' first trip to Montreal to participate in competitions a "a killer," and remembered an overnight stay in Ottawa where the members hurriedly dined on McDonald's fare, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Today feeding the large hardworking and hungry corps is still a challenge, but much met by an equally dedicated group of parent supporters who travel with the group acting as chaperones, plus preparing meals on the road to keep costs down.
Parents also pitch in making uniforms and stiching flags, driving and organizing fundraising endeavors.
Cindy noted that the uniform of today has come a long way from the first Ambassadors attire which she described as being almost like pajamas. In the early days the Ambassadors, then sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, could be seen marching the streets of Aurora about 35-members strong in white cowboy-like hats, white shirts, black pants or skirts and gold cummerbunds and neckerchiefs. Today, the large group is readily recognized in royal blue shirts, crossed with white, blach pants and white headgear.
last week many members of the local corps competed in the Canadian National Individual Championships hosted by the Ambassadors at Huron Heights Secondary School.
Some upcoming performances to look forward to are the town's July 1 torch light parade and the corp's annual Impact Show June 29 which features numerous top drum and bugle corps from across Ontario and the United States.
Also on April 21, the Ambassadors is hosting a reunion dance which will hopefully attract the estimated 400 former Ambassadors plus several hundred staunch supporters.
For more information about the reunion contact Mike Vey at xxx-xxxx or Carl Mulcahey at xxx-xxxx.