Blue Notes

In the fall of 1958, Howard Nickling, then the chief of Police of Pickering Village, conceived the idea to have a band for the young people of Pickering. Through his efforts money was raised from donations to buy some horns and drums. The local Service Clubs in the area helped him with donations.

Howard recruited Joe and Nora Livingston, and also Don Loscombe, to instruct the boys and girls on horns and drums. Clare Holter came out to teach them how to march and drill. In December, the Pickering Youth Band had their first parade, a Santa Claus parade in Port Perry.

During the years of 1959-1960 the band played in parades in the village and surrounding district.  In February of 1961, the Chief, finding it increasingly difficult to have sufficient funds to keep purchasing equipment for the increasing membership of the band, had to call for help.

An executive committee was formed to do the business formalities, also to raise funds. Mr. Nickling was to leave the Village shortly, so the committee was headed by Mr. H.J. LeGard. Under his leadership, the band went ahead purchasing uniforms from the De La Salle Drum Corps, many of which had to be altered to fit our smaller members. The band appeared in a number of parades throughout the year.

In September of 1962, the Corps, now known as the Pickering Blue Notes, entered the National Drum Corps Championship Contest in Waterloo for the first time. Although not a winner, the Corps picked up a tremendous following from the people who heard them. In October 1962, the Markham Fair Board sponsored a show at their fair. The Blue Notes took first prize this year and for the next two years as well. The years saw changes in the Corps, both in membership and their quality of music and uniforms. Many of the members upon reaching the age of twenty-one had advanced to senior corps in the City of Toronto.

In the summer of 1963, their corps came out in a white shirt and a blue note on the back. These shirts were designed and made by the corps executive. The year 1963 found the Blue Notes as winner in the National Championship in Waterloo. In 1964, they raised funds to purchase shirts, this time a double blue satin blouse. The corps executive at this time set out to make new hats.

Being self-sponsored, it took tireless efforts by the executive and instructors to keep 40 to 50 members outfitted at all times and play with playing instruments. The Blue Notes were led by Mr. Clare Holter. Recent years found them winning parades and shows, both on the hottest days of summer and the coldest days of winter. That winter saw the Blue Notes receive an invitation to participate in a colour guard show in Midland Park, New Jersey.

Sufficient funds were raised, and the corps and executive headed by bus for New Jersey. The boys and girls made many new friends and a close relationship was made between our corps and the Imperial Knights of New Jersey. An exchange of National Flags took place during the show and these are now carried out by each corps when out on parade.

The year 1967 promised to be a big year for the Blue Notes. They participated in Toronto’s Centennial Parade on New Year’s Eve and at the present time are booking as many parades as time and finances permit. On July 1st the Pickering Blue Notes will be celebrating Canada’s Birthday with our own people of Pickering Village and will have with us as guests, The Imperial Knights of Midland Park, New Jersey.

Over the years, they became an integral part of Pickering’s history and whatever the Corps have played, leaving a favorable impression of the young people of our Village. The Blue Notes will be more than happy to join forces with the rest of Canada in celebrating her Centennial.

The corps went inactive from the fall of 1966 to 1968 due to a lack of instructional staff before reactivating as a parade corps in the fall of 1968.

Paul Legault (DCX)

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