Knights Drum Corps
About the Knights
In 2003, a Life Skills Counselor introduced conga drumming to the boys of Bonnie Brae. Its positive impact on the boys quickly became apparent. A used snare drum was donated and soon another … and another. The boys, with drums tied around their waists with rope, marched in a local parade in 2004, and the Bonnie Brae Knights Drum Corps was born.
A generous grant in 2005 enabled Bonnie Brae to purchase new drums, drum sticks, and color coordinated uniforms. From this humble beginning, the music program grew and evolved culminating in the Bonnie Brae Knights marching in the 2009 Inaugural Parade representing the state of New Jersey.
Since its inception, the drum corps has expanded to as many as 35 members at times, and played for a variety of audiences throughout central New Jersey; at pre-game festivities for the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76er's and the 2010 New York Jets send-off rally. They've served as the opening entertainment for a national conference in Washington, DC and in October 2007, they provided the opening entertainment at a National Conference for children’s residential centers in Orlando, Florida. In July 2009, four Knights traveled to California to tell of their Inaugural Parade experience.
Since its inception, the drum corps has been invited to march in many parades and festivals, including the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, the Tartan Day Parade in NYC and in the Hackettstown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Knights were among the first 49 groups invited to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade and they marched for President Obama in Washington DC on January 20, 2009.
Knights Videos
Click Here to View Videos of The Knights Drum Corps Performing & In The News
Knights Performances To Date
Nationally
- Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) – national conference opening act
- American Association of Children’s Residential Centers (AACRC) – national conference opening act
- Walt Disney World – Downtown Disney Dock Stage
Statewide
- 2010 New York Jets AFC Championship Send Off Pep Rally
- Transitional Living Youth Conference – opening act
- Alliance for Children and Families – opening act for statewide conference
Locally
- Bernards Township Holiday Parade
- Miles for Matheny fund raiser (an inpatient center for physically disabled children)