George Zingali Tribute

“One day when I was about ready to leave the office, I had a thought about my mentor, George Zingali. When I searched the web to see photos of him, I was shocked to see how very few there were. So, with the help of a number of drum corps friends (students/friends of George Zingali), we collected as many photos as we could to store them here, along with some links to stories written about him to keep his memory alive. This in hopes that when one day a young performer or instructor hears his name and does a web search, they can find the history of George stored here. He was a innovator in drum corps, indoor guard, and the marching band world. His designs not only changed the trend, but set the new trend in orbit. He was a great friend, mentor, and a deeply religious/spiritual man. Rest well George. We all miss you. ”
– Eric Sabach

George Zingali

Courtesy: Drum Corps International
From dci.org
When one thinks of the visual progress the drum corps activity has made in the 1970s and 1980s, one naturally thinks of George Zingali. His name was synonymous with high-quality, innovative drill designs.

He began his illustrious career with his hometown corps, the 27th Lancers, where he brought color guard work to new levels. From rifle tosses while lying down to presentations on the 50-yard line, Zingali had the guard do it all. Zingali then joined Cadets of Bergen County, where, with his assistance, they won four of their DCl World Championship titles in 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1987.

Zingali also worked with Star of Indiana and the Blue Knights. One needs only to recall the fast-paced series of stars at the end of Star’s program in 1990 to picture what Zingali has done for the activity. He was also well known for the creation of the “Z Pull.” George Zingali passed away in March of 1992.

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From Boston Globe (March 1992)

George M. Zingali, 40
Olympic choreographer

George M. Zingali, a choreographer and designer of routines for marching bands, drum and bugle corps, and color guards, died Friday [March 6] at his home in Revere [MA]. He was 40.

Mr. Zingali, a native of New York City, attended New York University and Boston College. He won several awards for his work desiging the routines of color guards and marching bands, among them the champion Quasar and Erte bands of Revere. He choreographed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.

Mr. Zingali attended the Actors and Directors Laboratory in New York from 1983 to 1986 and acted in several plays. His last performance was in “The Shadow Box” in 1990.

He leaves his mother, Mae F. of Revere. A funeral Mass will be said at St. Anthony’s Church in Revere. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.