Heat Wave Hits Ontario

ORLANDO, FL (June 4, 2004) — Purchasing new Yamaha drums was reason enough for Heat Wave, the senior drum and bugle corps of Orlando, to celebrate – but the group also had the opportunity to show off its new equipment and talent in a recent commercial for the Ontario (Canada) Lotto Commission.

"Yamaha has a long history of developing innovative products that allow users to maintain their own unique style and sound," says Troy Wollwage, Manager, Percussion, Band & Orchestral Division. "Heat Wave had an amazing opportunity to showcase their talent, passion for music and Yamaha instruments in a televised commercial that will be seen throughout Ontario."

That "amazing opportunity" came on December 30, 2003, when Heat Wave was marching in the Orlando Citrus Bowl Festival parade. A producer from the Ontario Lotto Commission's production company was in the audience and saw the corps in action. Impressed by the performance, he contacted the Citrus Bowl to find out who they were and was put in contact with Vic Kulinski, Jr., Executive Director of Heat Wave.

The Corps' new drums arrived the week before the shoot, to everyone's satisfaction and excitement. The commercial was completed March 20 and 21 in Windermere and Deland, Florida.

"The first part of the shoot," explains Kulinski, "featured the Corps on a barge in the middle of a lake, convincing a man relaxing in his hammock to buy a lotto ticket. The second shoot featured the same man in a barbershop, still reluctant to buy a ticket. The Corps marched down the street promoting the current lotto payout, and persuade him to buy a 6/49 Lotto ticket."

Heat Wave of Orlando Drum & Bugle Corps provides anyone 16 years of age and above the opportunity to express their musical creativity while instilling pride, teamwork and motivation.

"Having long admired Yamaha's commitment to excellence, it is an honor for us as the 2003 DCA (Drum Corps Associates) Class A Champions and 2003 Class A Percussion Champions to endorse a championship-quality product such as Yamaha Drums," says Kulinski. "It was a pleasure to work with the professional staff of Yamaha in making this project come together."

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.