Announcing the renaissance of the

Blessed Sacrament Junior Drum & Bugle Corps

Joe Porta, 1953, with BSGK drum quartette (second from left)

Blessed Sacrament junior drum & bugle corps snare line, 1953....

 The last junior drum and bugle corps to grace the schoolyard at Clinton Avenue and Van Ness Place, Newark, NJ, was the Golden Knights.  The corps began in 1946 as the Blessed Sacrament Cadets.  The corps later assumed the name "Golden Knights" as it entered field competition in 1952, and amassed a brilliant record from that point until the corps disbanded in 1972.  The corps record includes 9 National titles, 19 New Jersey State titles, 11 National Dream wins, and the first World Open championship in 1963.

The formation of the Blessed Sacrament Junior Drum & Bugle Corps will be formally announced during mass on August 31, 2003 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 600 Clinton Avenue at Van Ness Place,  Newark, NJ.  The corps is being organized by the Officers and Board of Trustees of the EXCEL Corporation, a non-profit group dedicated to creating a non-denominational unit that serves the youth of the inner city and surrounding communities.   EXCEL Corporation's application for a 501(c)(3)  designation is currently being processed.

...and 2003

St. Patrick's Day, 1950

 

 

1953

 The Blessed Sacrament Junior Drum and Bugle Corps will carry on the tradition that was so eloquently stated by the late Bishop Robert Garner as he assumed the position of corps Moderator over fifty years ago: 

"A young person who enters this highly competitive sport with the right spirit will one day leave its ranks having gained discipline, stability, loyalty, courage, courtesy, and leadership. It is the end result which we keep in mind -- the building of character."

Hundreds and hundreds of today's adults who graced the ranks of the Golden Knights are the embodiment of Garner's vision.  According to the Officers and Board of Trustees of EXCEL, it is time once again for Newark and the Blessed Sacrament organization to carry on the tradition of building character through drum and bugle corps.

The corps instructional staff is donating its time and expertise.  Further donations of equipment and funds are welcome, including music stands, mouthpieces, drum sticks, and the like.  A Gift Registry will be available soon at local music stores for interested donors.


Please send your donations to:  

Nathaniel L. Potts, Ed. D., Principal; and John Demko

Blessed Sacrament School
600 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108

 

Make checks payable to John Demko

 

For further information contact:

John Demko

732-739-6479

Carol Hooton

215-755-1545

Richie Warga

973-248-1240

 Robbie George

973-762-7539

Gary Dickelman

703-622-9747

Tom McAndrew

973-313-9869

1970

Bass drummer, foreground, is Chuck Helme - the last graduate of Blessed Sacrament School to march in the junior corps.

 

Photos at right were taken at Blessed Sacrament School, Newark, NJ, on Saturday, September 27, 2003.

Blessed Sacrament junior corps, with members of the Golden Knights alumni, Excel Corporation, and school officials.

Midshipmen deliver bugles to Blessed Sacrament school on Saturday, September 27, 2003.