Canadian Royalaires

The Canadian Royalaires drum and bugle corps traced its roots back to the Klondike Boys, nicknamed the “Purple Machine”, sporting you guessed it, purple uniforms, an outgrowth of the Alberta All-Boys Band, founded by Bob Nagel, that folded in December 1971.

In 1972, the Klondike Boys performed as a parade and exhibition group, entertaining the community and surrounding areas under the direction of Andy Anderson and Wendy Grasdal, music director. The following year, the corps entered the field of competition as members of the 1973 Northwest Drum Corps Association (NWDCA) “Junior C” division. In 1974, the parent-owned and operated group changed its constitution and went co-ed and became simply the “Klondike”. That year, the corps moved up to the NWDCA “Junior B” ranks, where they placed 3^rd at the circuit championships.

In 1975, under the direction of Gary Guthman, the corps toured for the first time, appearing at both the US and DCI Midwest regional “Class A” prelims, placing 15^th and 17^th respectively. They successfully ended the season with a 10^th place finish at the Drum Corps West (DCW) circuit finals. In 1976, they changed their name to the Royal Canadians, once again traveling across the country to compete in major championship “Class A” preliminaries that included the American International Open (10^th), the US Open (21^st), the VFW Nationals (29^th) and the DCI championships, placing 15^th. They concluded the season with an 11^th place finish at the DCW contest, just missing out of the finals by one position.

In 1977, the corps wanted to continue as the Royal Canadians however Queen Elizabeth II herself refused to give the group such recognition and they were ultimately renamed the Canadian Royalaires. That year, the corps limited their appearances to California and the Pacific Northwest and in 1978, they remained active as a parade unit before returning one final season to the field of competition as members of the Pacific Drum Corps Association, placing 5^th in the “Class B” division of the circuit championships.

Over the next few years, the corps performed once again as a parade group until they disbanded in 1984, reverting to a winter guard, becoming the first Canadian unit to make the “Top 15” at the World Guard International championships. 

From the July 8th, 1989 - Spartans of Vancouver, WA "Drum Corps Spectacular" program; Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 2 items

Canadian Royalaires

CanadianRoyalaires,Edmonton,AB,Pin1(RE-2.25)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

Canadian Royalaires

Klondikes,Edmonton,AB,Pin1(BJA)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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