The Thrill of Drill

by Bill Kane

Bill's initial impressions on the Alumni Corps' tentative steps into the world of M&M.

On Sunday May 29th 2005, the Optimists Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps literally took another step along its path of discovery. What was discovered this time? There is a desire to push to the next level of commitment. This is a significant step. The corps had its first full-blown drill rehearsal. We actually did some marching and maneuvering!!!

You may or may not know, the nature of Alumni Corps poses some interesting drill problems, or as a wise person once told me “they are not problems, they are opportunities”. So keeping in mind some of the drill “opportunities” that are present in an alumni corps;

• not everyone can make it to every performance

• physical limitations of some members,

• limited rehearsal time,

• not to mention the fact that I haven’t done any writing or teaching of drill for about 28 years.

It was with a fair bit of trepidation that I took on the undertaking of writing and teaching drill to the corps, but with the encouragement, experience and help of Brian Collingdon and Berry Bell the task has started. After Sunday my fears have been somewhat relieved. The turn out was very encouraging, the willingness to try something new was exceptional, and the latent ability and talent of the corps, once again bubbled to the surface. I’m not saying that everything is perfect, far from it, but this is another example of this corps facing a challenge, and delivering a significant result.

Now we can truly say, “On March On”.