SAD !

Jan Thora 1936-2005

photo taken at Vlamo Championships Koersel

A very sad day today!

I went to the funeral service of Jan Thora - a good friend of mine from Belgium. OK, we did not meet on a very regular basis, but being friends in music means being the closest friends possible. PERIOD!

Sharing the same passion, the same hobby, the same ideas, having the same goals, pleasure and satifaction in music... Friends in music are friends for life! Seldom have I met a person this friendly, correct, disciplined and devoted. Jan was the personifcation of his passion.

Unfortunatly life has ended for my friend and great personality Jan Thora from Bree in Limburg-Belgium. As vivid and active Jan used to be, as abrupt this was put a halt to by a terrible disease a few months ago.

Every summer I used to run into Jan at numerous music events in both Belgium and the Netherlands over the last 25 or so years. He was there as an instructor with one of the many drumlines he used to teach or simply as a spectator and devoted fan, thoroughly enjoying his passion: music (especially drums!) performed by drum & bugle corps or bands. Annually he stopped by at our corps' camp weekend.

Jan was always interested in anything connected with his hobby. The history or anecdotes of corps, new instruments or drumheads or sticks, backgrounds on repertoires, new members in the groups, new techniques,... no,... not just anything... Jan was interested in EVERYTHING!!!

I was especially pleased when I found out Jan was also going to attend the DCI Championships in Kansas City (I think that was 1989...). Of all musical events I met him at, this was the biggest surprise! I know he was very interested in the drum & bugle corps activity, but had not expected him to cross the pond and actually go there. Was great seeing him there!

Way back I copied recordings for him and even brought him a video tape one year. He got hooked on drumcorps! He has made a total of four trips to the DCI Championships. Next summer would be his fifth trip. The tickets had already been booked and sent to his home. Unfortunatly he can't be there in person.

As a drum instructor he taught many many bands and drumlines. At the service in church today representatives of several of these units were present and together performed a piece written by him. A touching and emotional performance! Jan had been an instructor for 42 (!!) years for one of these traditional groups.

His latest "baby" in his musical career was the birth of "Cadence drumline" from Kaulille, formed two years ago. In this unit he could go all the way, and challenge the talent of his members to the limit.
Both his sons Coen and Tony are snare drummers in Cadence as well. Cadence performed in exhibition at the recent Belgian Show Championships in Koersel, and stunned the crowd and other participating units with an excellend (standstill) performance.
Jan had been diagnosed with liver cancer a few months ago, but he insisted Cadence would participate in the event. And so they did. Jan was there to witness, and conduct from his wheelchair.

I am absolutely sure the passion of Jan Thora will live on in this fine drumline!

Jan,... Next summer at the DCI Championships in Madison I know you will be present somehow.... I bet you'll be teaming up with drumcorps legend Fred Sanford, enjoying our show (Jubal, one of your favourite European corps) together.

Unfortunately you and I never got a chance to play together,... but some day, Jan,... we'll meet again, and I'll make sure I'll have my trumpet with me. I know you brought your sticks...