Sam's homepage
Unless otherwise noted, work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
1981 Scrapbook
[Page 1] next page
Repertoire
Artistry in Rhythm - Stan Kenton
Bahaia (drum solo)
Favourite Things (from "The Sound of Music)
You won't be there - Alan Parsons Project
Mame (from "Mame")
The year:
From the Newmarket Era, January, 1981
Local bands expect a year of growth
NEWMARKET - It will be a year for musical growth and development, say two of this town's best-known performing groups.
The Newmarket Citizens Band, now entering its 109th year as a local concert band, is celebrating its continued growth and success this summer with its first band festival.
The Ambassadors, the 7 1/2-year-old drum and bugle corps which now makes its home here, is looking forward to its first year in a new competitive class - and a flurry of travelling is anticipated.
Connie Chambers, publicity spokesman for the Citizens Band, announced the planned June band concert last week. "We will be inviting concert bands from the area to take part in a day of (indoor) concerts here," Ms. Chambers told the Era, "ending hopefully with a massed band presentation.
Noting that she is excited about the concert, which she thinks will be something new for Newmarket, Ms. Chambers also said the event should have real value in getting local musicians together for both a social and musical exchange.
She added that in 1981, the Newmarket Citizens Band "will continue to be an organization where people can come out and enjoy participating in the music of a performing band... It's going to be an active year musically, more active than we've had in years."
Along with a new program of winter skating music, the band is working on a series of outdoor concerts to be held throughout Newmarket this summer. The group hopes to perform in different parts of the town, and will reschedule any concerts which are rained out.
The band spokesman said a summer and fall membership drive has been very successful and has provided added interest for the group, with a total of 50 members now playing on a regular basis.
"We've been recuiting and it's been very successful... Sometimes we have difficulty finding a large enough place to accomodate us now, but it's a nicec problem to have," Ms. Chambers concluded.
"We expect to be bigger, and we expect to be better." That's how Ambassadors' executive director Paul Ranson sums up his corps' approach to 1981, the year the band moves up a grade into the newly-formed B class for competition bands.
Although a 1980 recuitment program for the drum and bugle corps hasn't been as sucessful as he would like - the group has only 74 members of a possible 128 to date - Mr. Ranson is positive about the year ahead.
"We're hoping it's going to be a growth year... There's no reason on earth that the Ambassadors shouldn't win in the new B corps[class]."
Mr. Ranson said he would welcome new members in both the Ambassadors and its junior branch, the Diplomats and said the Ambassadors will travel to many Canadian and U.S. Communities for concerts and competitions this summer.
The band will participate in five contests in Illinois in July, part of a planned U.S. midwest tour [was cancelled. - Sam] and in some 18 Canadian competitions through the course of the summer. The corps hosts its own annual competition in Newmarket on June 28, and Mr. Ranson said the event might be held in conjuction with the town's "to-be annual celebration."
Other planned Canadian and U.S. tours and bookings and participation in the Drum Corps' Annual Championships - this year in Montreal - are other highlights for the corps in 1981.
In the meantime, plan to learn more about the Ambassadors and other local bands at a band concert being planned for February or March at Huron Heights Secondary School.
For further information about either performing organization, contact Connie Chambers about the Newmarket Citizens Band at xxx-xxxx or Paul Ranson about the Ambassadors at xxx-xxxx.
[photo: Newmarket Citizens Band] [photo: Ambassadors at Impact '79]
underneath photos: New music for winter skating and a summer band festival are two new projects for the Newmarket Citizens Band in 1981, following a successful summer and fall membership drive which brought renewed vigor to the 109-year-old performing group. The Ambassadors move up a class this year, to compete at the new B level. It should be a challenging and active year for the enthusiastic young drum corps, says its director.
From the Banner, May 20, 1981, page A-5
Ambassadors name new director
I take great pleasure in announcing my successor as Executive Director of the Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps - Mr. Bob Middleton, of Newmarket.
Bob assumed the responsibilities of the operation of the corps on May 7, 1981.
Bob's association with the Ambassadors began four years ago, when, as president of the Newmarkey Lions Club, he was influential in arranging the existing sponsorship by the Lions Club.
He subsequently became the liason officer between the Lions and Corps, and his children became corps members.
Bob has never looked back.
He and his wife Jennifer have served on the corps executive in many capacities and Bob has been the equipment manager for the last two years.
Through constant interest in the workings of Drum Corps, and involvement in special events, Bob has added experience to a natural leadership ability.
I feel very confident that our organization is in good hands.
Although my wife an I will remain connected with the Ambassadors in whatever areas we may be of assistance, business pressures and recent health problems make it necessary for us to slow down our activities.
The corps is progressing well with the 1981 competition field show and have a strong support executive.
I would like to extend heart-felt thanks to the towns of Newmarket and Aurora, for eight years of understanding and tolerance of the problems associated with working a large youth activity such as ours from its beginnings to the solid oranization it is today.
It is my sincere wish that the community will extend to Bob Middleton this same support.
Paul D. Ranson
Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps
From the Newmarket Banner, July 1, 1981, p. A-1
Impact '81 wraps up festival
A crowd of about 1,000 people capped off Newmarket's festival weekend by taking in the Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps' international marching band competition, Impact '81, at the Newmarket Fairgrounds Sunday night.
The Ambassadors placed a close second to the Kitchener Kavaliers, missing first place by only three points. Third place finishers were the Oshawa Rebels.
The York Region corps took top honors for best horn line, and drum majors Leanne Bassett of Toronto and Kelly Lacey of Aurora were judged best in their class.
One of the exhibition bands, the Niagara Regionaires, led a tribute to Terry Fox at the end of the evening. One minute's silence was followed by the corps' inspiring rendition of "Amazing Grace".
Ambassadors' executive director Bob Middleton said Monday he was pleased with his corps' performance in the competition and said the fact that the Ambassadors now have a permanent rehearsal homeat a sod farm in Vandorf should make them an even greater force to contend with in competition.
"The other drum corps (participating in Impact '81) looked at our playing field with envy," said Mr. Middleton.
The Ambassadors provided pre-game and half-time entertainment for a crowd at the Hamilton Tiger Cat gameat Ivor Wynne Stadium Saturday night.
July 18, 1981, Etobicoke, ON
C class
1) Ambassadors 70.0
2) Brantford Girls, Brantford, ON 68.2
3) Kiwanis Kavaliers, Kitchener, ON 65.0
Best horns: Ambassadors
Best drums: Ambassadors
Best Marching and Maneuvering: Brantford Girls
Best Colour Guard: Brantford Girls
July 19, 1981, Kitchener, ON Provincial Championships
B class
1) Ambassadors 73.0
2) St. Andrew's, Cambridge, ON 48.0
C class
1) Kiwanis Kavaliers, Kitchener, ON 68.0
From theBanner, July 22, 1981, p. A-3
Ambassadors back in winners' circle
The Newmarket-Aurora Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps are back in the winners' circle this week thanks to two weekend victories.
In their first of two, the Ambassadors got the best of their closest rivals, the Kitchener Cavaliers[sic], at a circuit meet in Etobicoke Saturday night.
When the music stopped playing, the Ambassadors had defeated the Cavaliers[sic] by five points.
The next day, in Kitchener, the Ambassadors scooped up the provincial championships in the B class, their first ever win in that class.
Kitchener, in the same competition, stayed in C class, but their marks still fell short of the Ambassadors.
For the 75 boys and girls from the Aurora, Newmarket and surrounding districts, the two wins set them up for this Friday's invitational open in North Tonawanda, New York.
From there, it's over to Montreal's Olympic Stadium to compete in the world championships between August 17 and 22.
The locals will then enter the nationals in Windsor August 29.
It's a busy summer for a highly talented musical group.
July 24, 1981, North Tonawanda, NY
corps present: Ambassadors
From the front page of the Aurora Banner, September 2, 1981
Click on this picture to see a larger version.
caption: Award winning drum line - One of the components that makes the Aurora-Newmarket Ambassadors a winning organization is its drum line, shown here in a recent competition. Along with horns, marching and maneuvering, the drum line helped the Ambassadors to the high score of the day at the Nationals. The group also had the best drum major, not only in C and B classes, but in all girl[sic] classes combined.
Ambassadors scoop triple crown
NEWMARKET - Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps wrapped up the third jewel in the Canadian Drum Corps triple crown last weekend, winning the Canadian National Championships in their class.
The Newmarket-based corps outscored St. Andrew's of Cambridge and the Frontiersmen of North Tonawanda, N.Y. to win the national Class B title on Saturday in Windsor.
"This win represents the third jewel in the Canadian Drum Corps triple crown as the corps has already won the Ontario Provincial championships [and] the Central Canada Circuit championships," said executive director Bob Middleton in a statement Monday.
The Ambassadors have won the Canadian National Champion title in their class every year since 1975, except in 1977, the year the corps moved up to B class. [ Sam's Note: that should be C class ] . The Ambassadors are now gearing up and recruiting for a move up to A class, possibly next season.
"After a very successful trip to Drum Corps International World Championships in Montreal (in August), in which they competed in Class A and finished nineteenth in the world, winning the Canadian National title was the icing on the cake," exulted Mr. Middleton, who succeeded corps founder Paul Ranson as director late last year.
Corps members will now have a week or two off from pratices "in which to savour their accomplishments and settle back into the school routine." They will then resume their Tuesday-Thursday rehearsal schedule, in preparation for fall and winter appearances and Santa Claus paradesc
The Ambassadors will be recuiting new members during September and October in an effort to grow from the present membership of 70 to the maximum of 128. Young people between 11 and 21 years are welcome, with or without musical training, said the director.
from page 2 of the same paper
Corps get robbed but not in music at championships
Despite a respectable showing in the Drum Corps International competition, members of the Ambassadors Drum and Bugle Corps of Aurora and Newmarket were robbed during a recent stay in Montreal.
"We finished in the top half of A class," said Paul Ranson, the corps' founder and current business manager. "We were quite excited by it. It was only this year that we moved up from C class to B."
Under the rules of international competition, the group was required to compete in the A category.
Unfortunately, the group's trip to Montreal was not all peaches.
The corps stayed at a modern school facility located near the practice field and the stadium.
However, according to Mr. Ranson, the institution was located in a "bad, bad area of town".
"By the end of the week we had a security guard on 24-hour duty," he said.
One of the band's younger members, who had planned to attend an Ohio university in the fall, had a wallet stolen which contained money, identification and officials (sic) papers affiliated with his acceptance and stay at the university.
A second robbery took place but only a pair of jeans was stolen.
Mr. Ranson said the group plans to return to the World championship in Montreal next year and said he would stay at the same facility "if the security guard was on 24-hour duty".
"We hope to do a lot more travelling next year," he added. "An eastern tour is planned topped off with visits to Pennsylvannia and Ohio."
Wednesday August 19, 1981, McGill University Stadium, Montreal,QC, DCI World Championships Class A Prelims
| Position | Corps | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southernaires, Kenner, LA | 69.250 |
| 2 | Fantasia III, Little Falls, NJ | 68.150 |
| 3 | Pioneer, Milwaukee, WI | 67.950 |
| 4 | Dutch Boy, Kitchener, ON | 67.700 |
| 5 | Les Etoiles Dorion Vaudreuil, L'Acadie, QC | 65.050 |
| 6 | Golden Garrison, Ypsilanti, MI | 64.600 |
| 7 | Bluewater Buccaneers, Windsor, ON | 62.150 |
| 8 | Amvet Brigadiers, Randolph, MA | 61.100 |
| 9 | Les Aventurieres, St. Georges de Beauce, QC | 60.750 |
| 10 | Cadets of Greece, Rochester, NY | 58.500 |
| 11 | Cavaliers, Somerville, MA | 57.600 |
| 12 | General Putnam's Men, Ottawa, OH | 57.450 |
| 13 | New York Lancers, Bronx, NY | 55.750 |
| 14 | Valley-Airs, Northbridge, MA | 55.300 |
| 15 | 2nd Decade, Montmagny, QC | 55.100 |
| 16 | Sundowners, Eau Claire, WI | 54.750 |
| 17 | Skokie Imperials, Norwood, IL | 51.900 |
| 18 | Alliance Musicale, Charlesbourg, QC | 51.800 |
| 19 | Ambassadors, Newmarket, ON | 48.600 |
| 20 | Emerald Knights, Cedar Rapids, IA | 48.150 |
| 20 | Florida Wave, Miami, FL | 48.150 |
| 22 | Fantasia, Norwich, CT | 47.850 |
| 23 | Coachmen, Grand Rapids, MI | 45.900 |
| 24 | Spartans, Vancouver, WA | 45.350 |
| 25 | Blazers, Lockport, NY | 45.100 |
| 26 | Vaqueros, Emhurst, IL | 44.850 |
| 27 | Madison Junior Scouts, Madison, WI | 43.450 |
| 28 | Volunteers, Troy, NY | 43.400 |
| 29 | Starisers, Leicester, MA | 42.400 |
| 30 | Malden Diplomats, Malden, MA | 39.150 |
| 31 | Patriots, Rochester, NY | 38.250 |
| 32 | I.C. Queensmen, Winchester, MA | 38.150 |
| 33 | Citations, Burlington, MA | 35.200 |
| 34 | Gauchos, Fulton, NY | 35.150 |
| 35 | Buccaneers, Lowell, MA | 33.850 |
| 35 | Pacific Blue, Surrey/Vancouver, BC | 33.850 |
| 37 | Frontiersmen, [North Tonawanda, NY] | 32.150 |
| 38 | Firebirds, Rochester, NY | 31.050 |
| 39 | St. Andrews, Cambridge, ON | 29.300 |
| Position | Corps | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALL GIRL | ||||
| 1 | Les Chatelaines, Laval, QC | 68.150 | ||
| 2 | Arbella, Salem, MA | 58.800 | ||
| 3 | St. Ignatius, Hicksville, NY | 58.050 | ||
| 4 | Ventures, Kitchener, ON | 53.000 | ||
| 5 | Brantford Girls, Brantford, ON | 42.850 | ||
| CLASS A | ||||
| 1 | Southernaires, Kenner, LA | 65.850 | ||
| 2 | Fantasia III, Little Falls, NJ | 63.100 | ||
| 3 | Pioneer, Milwaukee, WI | 60.550 | ||
| 4 | Dutch Boy, Kitchener, ON | 57.650 | ||
| 5 | Les Etoiles Dorion Vaudreuil, L'Acadie, QC | 52.350 | ||
B class1 Ambassadors, Newmarket, ON
2 St. Andrew's, Cambridge, ON
