Those are the words used by broadcasting icon Lloyd Robertson when describing the Burlington Teen Tour Band. And that is in no way an exaggeration.
Formed in 1947 as a Youth Programme, sponsored by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and under the capable direction of Elgin Corlett, from it's humble beginning above a store on Brant Street, the Burlington Teen Tour Band has grown into a major ambassador for the City of Burlington.
Today, under the very competent direction of Rob Bennett, Managing Director and Sir William Hughes, Director of Music, the band is known throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. The young people of the band between the ages of 13-21, usually numbering about 180 musicians have carried the name of Burlington, Ontario around the world.
Although the Music Centre and the Band are sustained by the City of Burlington through the Parks and Recreation Department, there is no public money spent on the Bands travels outside Burlington. Rob Bennett points out that trips to Holland and France for D Day Anniversary celebrations cost more than $500,000 each trip for the Band, Staff and chaperones. All the funds for these trips were raised by the Band Boosters, parents and the Band members themselves. Pretty incredible!
And don't think the Band is top heavy with management. Rob Bennett is the only full time employee, while Sir William Hughes works part-time (which means he gets to sleep at home!) Both these men empasized the importance of having two wonderful Patrons in The Honourable Lincoln Alexander and General Richard Rohmer whose support has been invaluable.
And the Band simply could not function efficiently without the dedication of its volunteer Teen Tour Boosters, who make a huge commitment of time and money to be supporters of the Band and who train to become Chaperones when the Band is out of town. A visit to the Boosters website (www.bttbboosters.com) gives some insight to the dedication of these volunteers.
The Band website (www.teentourband.org) is full of the many destinations around the world that the Band has visited, awards and comments from Prime Ministers, MPs and other notables, but Ron and Sir William are quick to point out that while this very gratifying it is not what the Band is all about.
The emphasis is on developing pride and character in the young people who make up the Band and encouraging them to reach for higher levels of personal achievement. The philosophy supporting the whole programme highlights the importance of the individual in work and co-operating with others, maintaining self-discipline, showing good sportsmanship and an eagerness to learn.
When the Band competes it is not to win more trophies and awards, it is to support and encourage the efforts of the young men and women in the Band who will benefit from the lessons learned as they go through their adult life.
A noble and tough challenge but one in which Rob Bennett and Sir William Hughes seem to thrive. Burlington is lucky to have such dedicated men at the helm of one our city's major assets.
So next time you see the Band on parade think for a moment about the logistics of moving 160 Band members, plus their instruments,plus their luggage, plus about 30 staff and chaperones and their luggage by plane(s) overseas or by buses throughout Canada and the United States. As Rob says, it's not easy to stop at a highway restaurant and feed 210 people in an hour!
My hat's off to this dedicated group of people who represent Burlington so well.
