Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights Invites New Members

In 1946 Rev. John Kiley formed a parade corps with students from the Blessed Sacrament School in the Clinton Hill section of Newark, NJ. Five years later, a new curate of the parish, Rev. Robert Garner, expanded the membership beyond the school and
transformed the corps into a competing unit. The iconic “Golden Knights” was added to the corps’ name and was reflected in their distinctive gold and black uniforms.

From the mid-50s through the 1960s, the corps was a powerhouse in the drum and bugle corps world, winning all the major titles of the day.

After its membership declined from military service and aging out, the corps briefly competed in the Senior D&B circuit.

In 1991, former members and others came together to form one of the country’s first alumni drum and bugle corps, and it continues to carry on the rich traditions of the original corps.

This year, the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights are celebrating their 80th Anniversary. To honor their rich tradition and to salute our nation’s 250th birthday, a special musical and visual program recounting America’s history has been put together by drum corps veterans Bill Moore and Tom Terreri.

The corps is currently inviting new and former members to join in this celebration effort. Whether you played with the corps in the past, always wanted to play with them, or just have an itch to rejoin the drum corps community and participate in the celebration of our nation’s birth, please feel free to contact Art Farrell, the Director of the Golden Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, for more information. He can be reached at bsgkdirector [at] gmail [dot] com or 732-618-4363.