Some one must have thought that drum corps' do not like to practice, for we again had not been assigned a practice field. This problem was straightened out quite easily. Once again we found our own spot. Even the guy cutting the lawns co-operated and proceeded to cut around us all afternoon.
Simcoes' show was still not up yet, but ours was starting to gel; in the six-eight in OTL the crowd went nuts, and in concert the corps went nuts.
We got lucky again. The open class corps' followed us on, but two corps made it then the heavens opened and the rains came down.
Waiting for an hour in steamy buses for the results, was a drag. However, we didn't say no when the sponsors presented us with a Chippewa Lions flag and declared us winners in our class - 55.5
Supper - lots of places but let's not talk about it.
CONTEST #5 - JULY 1ST - METROPOLITAN AURORA (Impact)
The pre-contest parade got underway at least a half hour late, as we waited for the London Imperials who had bus trouble. That was the highlight of the parade.
When the actual contest itself got started started it looked like the sky would fall at any time. The town officials were worried, the executive was trying to get the contest going and worry at the same time, and Paul said "....it won't rain on our show....." It didn't. The air stayed dry even if the field wasn't.
We really made an Impact on Aurora that day. They never knew what hit them, but rumour has it they want it to hit again! We won the show with an even 59., taking Best Drum Line and Colour Guard and keeping the hardware in town. And, a special gift from the mayor. The corps was presented with a Town of Aurora flag to replace the one given to us five years ago, when the corps was first born.
After this show the whole corps took its annual vacation, the weeks of July 2nd - 14th.
The first rehearsal to get back in shape was on the 15th. This also being the day the horn line received "new" two-valved baritones.
CONTEST #6 - JULY 21/22 - KITCHENER (Provincials)
"Home" for the weekend was Wilson Arena, which later became 'home' for two corps. How this screw-up happened would be unsafe to explain. Anyway, while the Oshawa Rebels made themselves aat home we played thru our show (the first time with a bit of hype) and freaked them right out.
Since this was the Rebels' first overnight, sleeping conditions for us were not the best. Our staff, experienced with such problems finally had the show the Rebels how to close their eyes and sleep in sleeping bags. And by 2:00 a.m? everyone was asleep. Except for Rob (instructor).
An early morning, cold showers, typical drum corps breakfast, running through the show etc.. The corps was scheduled to go on at 10:00 am and with O.J. up until all hours of the morning the Ambassadors had the shiniest cymbals on the field.
Prelims gave us 9 point spread over our competitions therefore there was no real push to better the show that afternoon. Most of the time was spent relaxing, playing on swings, taking pictures; with time even for a swim or shower.
Ambassadors 1979 Yearbook ©1979 Dan Brooks and Garry Summers