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Etobicoke Crusaders
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Mike Lang and Rick Lang, former
members of the Etobicoke Crusaders, now play with the
Optimists Alumni. |
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Etobicoke Crusaders Drum and
Bugle Corps 1969 — 1974
In the summer of 1969 the Michael Power Knights
competed in the Canadian Drum Corps Association
(CDCA) circuit as a “B” class corps for the last
time. The corps was affiliated with Michael
Power High School in the west end of Toronto and
had just added female guard members in the fall
of 1968. The corps had both male and female
guards competing in the CDCA & Upstate New York
Guard Circuits in the winter of 68/69.
In the fall of 1969, amidst tears, the Michael
Power Knights announced that it was folding. The
headline of the Michael Power High School
newspaper read “Knights Gone”. A few members
left for De La Salle and Toronto Optimists,
while Vic Lang, the father of 3 boys (Mike, Rick
and Dave) spearheaded an effort to start up a
new Corps immediately. The new corps was named
the Etobicoke Crusaders. The new corps executive
worked to secure instruments and some used
uniforms from Chessman in St. Catharines which
had recently folded. The uniform was an exact
replica of a little known corps called Phantom
Regiment. (Acrobat
file of newspaper article)
The first performance of the Etobicoke Crusaders
was at a Remembrance Day ceremony in November
1969. Over the winter of 1969/1970, the members
and executive worked hard to recruit and raise
funds so that they could field a viable unit in
the summer of 1970. |
First Performance, 1969 |
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The corps
was fairly young in age, with members from the
age of 10 to 19, but were determined to grow and
improve. In their first year of competition,
ECDC competed in a number of shows in Ontario,
Quebec, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Vic Lang remained as Corps Director for a couple
of years until this role was taken over by Bob
Duggan. Bill Strong and John Arbow were the
equipment Managers that helped keep the corps on
the road. Bill Strong later became Corps
Director.
Throughout their history the Etobicoke Crusaders
rose steadily, becoming the Junior B National
Champions in 1972 & 1973. In 1972 the Crusaders
came a close second, in their class, at the U.S.
Open Finals in Marion Ohio after coming first in
the Prelims. In 1974 the Corps competed at the
Junior A level finishing 3rd behind Seneca
Princemen and the Optimists.
After the 1974 season which saw Cadets La Salle
fold the previous winter and De La Salle opting
to not compete in the CDCA and subsequently
folding after the season Corps Director Bob
Duggan announced that De La Salle Oaklands would
be merging with the Etobicoke Crusaders and the
new corps would compete in the summer of 1975 as
the Oakland Crusaders.
Instructors through the years included among
others:
Gil Grisson. Vic Kruklis, Lloyd Francis, Clayton
Keat, Bill Rutherford, Joe Palanica, John
Cameron, Wayne McGrath, Bob Duggan, Gary Duggan,
Dan Sautner
Repertoire Over the Years:
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1970 March of the
Charioteers, Big Spender, Once in a While
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1971 Tommy
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1972 Jesus Christ Superstar
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1973 Jesus Christ Superstar
Reprise
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1974 "Overture" Jesus Christ
Superstar/Heaven on Their Minds, St. James
Infirmary, Gethsemane, King Herod's Song
Thank you
to Cathy Walker (Johnson) for writing this! |
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1973 |
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