Paq
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Posts posted by Paq
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Keith, while the merger of Seneca and Opti created a two time finalist, I moved over to Opti in the off season after being with Seneca for the previous four. The Optimists looke dlike they were going to have a FANTASTIC year and were poised to do great things. Unfortunately, dollars were preventing them from going it alone.
In my humble opinion, the merger was one of the WORST things that happened that year. Sorry ... that's my opinion and always has been. In fact, I LOVED the activity and was so put off by this turn of events, I didn't march that season. The next year I joined the American 'Green Machine' and finished out my junior eligibility with them.
Jeff
I must disagree with you on this. I think that merger was the best thing for both Toronto Optimists and Seneca Princemen. It shot a big new life into both corps. The merger was effortless as both corps were very excited about having each other to march next to. Even the management merged well. The kids worked extra hard each bound and determined not to suck. With what the 2 corps brought to the table that year we fielded a phenomenal corps, with hardworking kids and staff and a beautiful ending being the first year for 2 Canadian corps making DCI finals. I for one loved 1976 for that reason....and because it was the preview of what to come...even better things the following year.
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ROFLMAO! That isn't always entirely true (depending on the currency exchange rate). I've run out of Canadian money in Canada before and had to pay with American money, which was happily accepted provided I took the change in Canadian currency. Gee, I wonder what happened to the difference? People on both sides of the border have been playing that game for years now.
That's so true. In the US the further you get away from the border the more strange the looks get when you try to pass a purples Queen's head. Since the exchange rate is prettly much at par these days it all washes out.
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Yikes, did the map get taken down????
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Notice that all of Canada is one color, implying it to be one region. But more importantly, it's from a site pondering Canada as the 51st state...in which case that pesky border problem is solved.
Funnily Michael, you should see the Canadian version of this map.
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No one ever remembers the Oshawa Rebels, even though they made A-60 finals a couple times.
Not to forget Seneca Optimists (2x DCI finalist).
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I really don't see the passport thing as the real problem going into either country. Although there may be something to be said for perfect criminal records. I have known of Americans being refused entry into Canada for DUIs.
I see the #1 problem is definitely not having the marching band situations that are a staple in high schools in the US. Canada has never had that. Since drum corps has gone almost pro like taking in skilled labor (so to speak) it would be very hard to compete with that. The only marching band I ever knew in all my years marching in Canada (60s and 70s) was the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
At this point the US and Canadian dollar being at par with one another I'm not so sure money is the issue. As the US drum corps continues to move in the marching band direction it will just leave Canada's drum corps further in the dust.
Sad to say. Glad I was there during the heyday.
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I've seen EVELYN GLENNIE in concert a few times. Needless to say, she's absolutely incredible. I think, the best concert percussionist living today.
And a good friend of mine who played snare in Blue Devils was a percussionist in the San Diego Symphony.
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I believe the corps in yellow is the Opti Knights from Guelph. Seneca had a large white cumberbund and also I don't see Seneca's drum majors who wore black. They would have been a guy and girl.
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You're right, Linda - that's Nancy on the left and I'm the shorter one on the right. It must have been a chilly night if we had the black capes on. Poor guy in the liederhosen...:). We lost the All-Girl title that night by .05 if I remember correctly to the young ladies to the left (right as you looking at the line-up) of Les Chatelaines. A corps out of Quebec that we'd never seen up until Nationals.
To the left of Nancy and Kelly of St. John's Girls (in the black capes) are Diane Laverdure and Nathalie Bedard of Les Chatelaines (I was teaching them that year) and to their left is the drum major of Les Marionnettes de Montmagny, Quebec...(another all girls powerhouse corps that would just show up from so far away we had to look it up on a map...and they would blow everyone away).
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My guess is 1974 Toronto Optimists. Looks like Mike on the green podium. Nice photo. Thanks :-)
I agree Linda it sure looks like the Toronto Optimists.
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I know of Luc Dionne and can probably hook you up with people who know him directly on Facebook. He taught Les Chatelaines after I did but a few of the girls who I am in contact with, who I taught do know him. I've seen his name thrown around. I'll put the word out to those people and get back to you.
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2-Color Presentation was, literally presenting the US Flag. Up thru 1972 it was a required element in a Corp's show.
Color Presentation was actually presenting of the corps' National Flag .... which wasn't always the US Flag!!!!!
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St John's, Brantford, Ontario....still holding events and constantly morphing into something else
Velvet Knights
Kingsmen
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Wow that's totally tough stuff. It's just heartbreaking to see that happen. Reading the posts and as a professional massage therapist & dealing with knee problems regularly he may have been overcompensating for the knee problem he was suffering from and caused an unusual burden on the tibia (shin bone). Whatever caused it...my heart goes out to him and wish him a thorough and speedy recovery.
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RIP - to a real drum corps legend...and an inspiration to many.
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1976 Seneca Optimists Drum Major was Dawn Canning.
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Oops, should've read Linda's post more closely!
Deb and Cheryl are from Sarnia, Ontario and both marched in the Sarnia Lionettes all girl corps (the other all girl corps from Sarnia was The Marching Angels).
They both marched together after their Sarnia days in the Toronto Optimists (not Seneca Optimists - Deb taught Seneca 76 & 77 while Cheryl always taught Oakland. Deb moved to teach Oaklands in 78).
These two are exceptionally wonderful people and totally dedicated sisters who, as you said Sue, opened their doors to anyone who needed a place to stay (they were even nice to their phone pervert who used to call their apt at all hours ;) They were great instructors and unbelievable friends.
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I'm impressed with your knowledge of the very talented Miller sisters, byline. Here's a couple of triva questions concerning them:
1-What was their hometown?
2-What Drum Corps did they march in (hint-I believe it was an All Girl Corps...there were two in that city back then...not sure which one it was?
Your more than welcome to get in this as well, lindap.
Oh pick me, pick me, I know the answers!
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Cathy, You could probably find a lot of members on Facebook as well.
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George Bonfiglio...the name alone has drum corps at it's finest all over it. What an icon. His impact on so many is legendary and you just can't hear that name without a flood of beautiful drum corps memories.
Thank you George and may you RIP. My condolences to the Bonfiglio Family.
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Not that many of you would have seen this but St. John's or Brantford Girls (I believe they were known by then were in "Follow That Bird"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE2ax0-4Yg4...feature=related
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On the CNE Grandstand pic - the guy on the bottom right is Vern Johannson, Drum Major the the Toronto Optimists.
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We were always strictly ordered never to open our traps when crossing the border either way. If we were sleeping on the floor or in the luggage racks we were awakened and ordered into our seats. Those guys take their jobs full on seriously. I'm sure it would be a nightmare to cross the border these days especially with passports etc.
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Glassmen 1975
I believe this to be Cindy Peto although the caption says Linda Peto. She was the DM in 74. Her brother Dave wrote for and worked with the horn line.
Love this photo...she looks great!
some old corps photos
in Historical Junior Corps Discussions
Posted
I know this is a few pages back but to clear up the Etobicoke Crusaders unis being the same ones warn by PR. They were in no way related. Etobicoke's uniforms were previously the unis of the St. Catharine's Chessman. Yikes...I am so aging myself here.