Blue Notes Senior
Other Names: Blue Notes Alumni
Ishpeming, MI United States
Founded: 1984
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CORPS Photos
In 1984, a group of junior corps Blue Notes alumni, in their twenties and thirties, reunited to march in the July 4th parade celebrating Ishpeming
High School's 100-year reunion. The local parade-goers were overjoyed with the reappearance of the Blue Notes; their clapping and cheering was continuous throughout the entire parade route.
Having received such a tremendous reception, the alumni group continued their participation in local parades and soon was traveling throughout the Upper Peninsula, delighting audiences with the big, bold sound of drum and bugle corps music. The alumni expanded its membership to include not only Blue Notes alumni, but other drum corps alumni and any musicians interested in sharing
their talents. In 1995, the corps entered the field of competition for a brief time, returning to alumni status the next year.
Over the years, the alumni’s memberships included members from across Michigan's including the communities if Ishpeming, Negaunee, Marquette, Ontonagon, Kingsford and Hurley, WI. As the years went by, members of the corps came to realize that the group's continued existence would require a strong recruiting drive. A committee was formed to
concentrate on recruiting new members. They targeted younger musicians -- those aged 18 to 21 -- in order to ensure the corps would remain vibrant even after its older members retired. The recruiting committee's efforts successfully brought several younger members into the group. After seeing the enthusiasm these young people had for drum and bugle corps activity, the Blue Notes extended membership to high school students.
The 2017 Blue Notes "60th Anniversary Corps" had members ranging in age from 14 to 70. They came from all walks of life but were united by a passion for drum and bugle corps music. Marquette County's only drum and bugle corps, the Blue Notes were the pride of Ishpeming. As of 2024, they continue to perform across the state, marching in parades, playing at community celebrations, keeping the drum and bugle corps tradition alive throughout the region.
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