Burlington Teen Tour Band celebrates 75 years of music

Anniversary concert slated for Dec. 14 at Burlington Performing Arts Centre

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1 / 1 The Burlington Teen Tour Band performs around the world.Supplied photo

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The Burlington Teen Tour Band’s upcoming calendar is jam-packed. The iconic marching band is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and their hometown couldn’t be prouder. Between Remembrance Day, tree-lighting ceremonies and Santa Claus parades, it’s quick march ahead for the award-winning BTTB over the holiday season.

As the band grew in numbers in the 1960s, so too did its celebrity status, spurring on the parents of band members to launch a volunteer organization called The Boosters to help with fundraising initiatives for the group's many social events, and to manage various BTTB activities throughout the year. Featured in movies, documentaries, music videos, and TV shows, the BTTB is globally recognized as Canada’s oldest and largest youth marching band.

They’re the fabric of Burlington.

Current managing director of the Burlington Teen Tour Band, Rob Bennett, is honoured to represent Burlington around the globe. “We’ve travelled all over the world together, but some of our most special events happen right here with our hometown crowds,” he said.

In recognition of the band’s incredible musical legacy, a tribute concert is taking place on Dec. 14 at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre.

Directed by Francis Smith, the Teen Tour Band, including the concert band, colour guard and drumline, will be performing holiday and 75th anniversary music, with the anticipated debut of a brand-new commemorative score exclusively composed for the band by local musician Ryan Meeboer. “I wanted it to be celebratory, something that can incorporate marching elements with the excitement of field performance entertainment too,” he explained. Burlington Now Radio host Lawson Hunter raised funds through a Kickstarter campaign to commission the new piece, and Meeboer worked closely with Bennett and Smith to create the song. Special guest performances will include the Junior Redcoats Band (ages 9-13) led by musical director Caroline Singh.

Burlington resident Patty Russell (now Pat Mifflin) remembers her days of playing the flute with the band in the early 1970s with great affection. “It was a time when our entire lives revolved around school and the band, it was everything, and a safe place to be,” she remembered.

Bob Webb was the marching director at the time, with Eric Ford as the Music Conductor; the talented duo would boost membership and work together to secure countless Canadian and European accolades, including a first-place win at the 1973 Parade of Champions Field Show in Philadelphia, PA. “It was such a new experience for us, getting to play against all the big American bands — and we were the only band to get outstanding A’s across the board!” Mifflin added.

The benefits of joining the BTTB are as treasured today as they were in 1947: the opportunity to experience different cultures through travel, build friendships, achieve personal potential and experience the joy of playing music together.

The Burlington Teen Tour Band has legions of loyal allies around the world, from royalty and heads of state to local audiences that continue to cheer them on rain or shine.

It’s a true camaraderie that doesn’t dim with passing time. Alumni keep in touch through email and the band spirit remains very much alive with each new generation of musicians. The band is looking ahead to March 2023 when they’ll be touring the Emerald Isle and marching in The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Celebrations in Dublin, Ireland.

Don’t miss upcoming BTTB performance dates:

Burlington Remembrance Day, Nov. 11

Brampton Santa Claus Parade, Nov. 19

Toronto Santa Claus Parade, Nov. 20

Jake’s Grill & Oyster House, Burlington, Nov. 24 (Turkey Bowl for American Thanksgiving)

Burlington Tree Lighting, Nov. 25

Caledonia Santa Claus Parade, Nov. 26

Milton Santa Claus Parade, Nov. 26

Flamborough Santa Claus Parade, Nov. 26

Stoney Creek Santa Claus Parade, Dec. 3

Grimsby Santa Claus Parade, Dec. 3

Burlington Santa Claus Parade, Dec. 4