finalist. I've been in local Parade corps, small (top-21) Canadian corps, and finally one of the (big dog) top-five level corps. "I started playing tenors back in '95 (8th grade) with a parade corps from Ypsilanti, Mich., called the Thunderers. I always wanted to be a DCI tenor player, and in EARLY MAY(!) of 2000, I got the opportunity to do so with the mighty Kiwanis Kavaliers. The constraints of time, money and transportation kept from me the possibility of going back to Canada, so I tried out for the Glassmen bass line in 2001. "I was cut, but I absolutely fell in love with the Glassmen organization, and I slugged it out with one other potential G-Cymbal Player for TWO WHOLE MONTHS before being chosen to fill the position. However, three days after receiving my call, I was informed that the other person was ALSO selected, and there would be FIVE G-Cyms for the first time ever! "I was ecstatic, to say the least. Tour in 2001 was so great, I came back running in 2002. The person that I had fought for the spot in 2001 had announced that she was not going to march in 2002, and a [now] great friend of mine from the University of Michigan worked his tail off for the empty spot. Tour in 2002 was even better than 2001. "The Glassmen have always been the 'apple of my eye' when it comes to corps, and to finally make it after being cut in 2000 was one of few truly crowning acheivements of my 20-year-old life. Although I have
TWO more seasons available to me to march, I had to make the gut-wrenching decision to give in and address financial matters and obligations that I've been evading these past three summers. "So it is with great pride and heartfelt nostalgia that I submit this piece for the "Forzato" page. Glassmen corps director Brian Hickman always told us that "What we do can only be done if everyone brings a piece of themselves to the table." "Such is true of not only individual corps, but of the activity as a whole. In the past, the only dealings I've ever had with DCI have all been official business. I've never had a chance to tell about my experience with drum corps to the entire community. Please post this picture to join the many others who had the gumption (a Colin McNutt-ism) to tell about some of their times with drum corps. I sincerely thank you for providing corps members (like me) with this unique opportunity to do so. "Here's a pic of The 2002 Glassmen Cymbal/Flub/Jingle/Shekere/Opener Timp Solo line after our last "run-through" of 2002 on finals Day(taken from Geoff's Camera, might I add...). This is what I like to call a "Perfect Picture." Why? Because there is NO better way to sum up the awesome time all five of us (from left to right, Tana, Geoffry, Michelle, Shawn, and me) had with the greatest cymbal technician to ever do the job, Sara Helmuth. Sara had to carry and set ALL of our cymbals and equipment at the front of the field before nearly EVERY show (no easy task, I assure you). "She also showed EXTREME patience in dealing with this particular Glassmen cymbal player all the way back to his first camp with the Glassmen in 2001. The G-Cyms are a special team within an already special organization, and nothing will ever rob me of my honor and memories of being with them for two whole summers(and winters). I would like to take this opportunity to wish Sara and Michelle good with their current cymbal teaching positions, Tana the best with her vocal/stage career, and I wish Geoff and Shawn the best of luck this coming season. G-Cyms forever!" -Q Thanks Q! View the Forzato archives E-mail your Forzato submissions to dave@dci.org along with where and when the photo was taken, and send some biographical information about yourself as well. We'll give you full credit. Also, let us know if you want your e-mail address included, to get feedback from other drum corps fans.