Blue Saints find southern charm for Lions International parade

In fact, the band has twice played at the Calgary Stampede, as well as the famous Quebec City winter carnival. They are also very well known across the United States from all their performing and competing. In Canada, they have won 11 national awards and countless provincial awards.

The Blue Saints were formed in 1952 as the Sudbury Mining and Technical School Trumpet Band. In 1954, music teacher George Netzke started to form a drum corp and a few years later they officially became the Blue Saints.

Today, they have between 35 and 40 young people involved between the ages of nine and 21. On average, the young people are 13 to15 years old and dedicate a good chunk of their spare time to perfecting their musicianship.

Ripley says their upcoming season will include travelling approximately 1,500 kilometres across the United States and Canada, which requires about 4,000 liters of diesel fuel and 7,500 meals for band members.

Later this month, they will be competing in the Ontario Drumline competition in Toronto, a precursor to the International Drumline Battle in Indianapolis later this summer.

The corps practises on Wednesday nights at the Montessori School of Sudbury and welcomes new youth willing to work hard and develop their musical and dance talents. No experience is required. Rehearsals start at 6pm for more information call 705 692 JOIN or [email protected].