Local youth heads out on tour with Les Stentors

In life there are sometimes golden opportunities and you have to know how to recognize them. This is exactly what 14-year-old Eloi Paradis is doing right now. He will leave Sherbrooke on July 16 with the group Les Stentors for an American tour of 12 different cities with the drum corps.

Paradis is now finishing his second year at the Du Phare International high school on Sara Street in Sherbrooke. Mélanie Miron, his music teacher and former member of the Stentors invited the non-profit organization to come and present themselves to her music students.

“I had never heard about them before but their program sounded very interesting. I already had a passion for music. The pleasure of playing with other musicians who share the same passion was attractive and the prospect of traveling to competitions during the summer finally convinced me,” said the bright young man.

His decision was made but he still

had to get permission from his parents. Joining involved a few weekend camps, volunteering for both the parents and himself and of course membership fees.

Well, it seems like the parents agreed and all the discipline and efforts requested did not stop Paradis who is now a proud member of the Stentors.

“I was lucky because in many cases parents cannot afford the membership fees. I was also aware that the whole process would require a lot of physical efforts, a good attitude, a good memory. It also demands a lot of discipline and involvement within the organization,” stressed Paradis.

His mother was also willing to get involved. This represents a lot of driving to all the camps and and waiting during rehearsals, she also helped other volunteers with the cooking in order to feed everyone during the camp days. Paradis explained how proud and grateful he is to have a mother who always gets involved to help out.

Every year, the group prepares a competitive show in order to participate in a few competitions of the famous Marching Music Major League circuit organized by the Drum Corps International in the United States. The annual Stentors tour changes every year to allow regular members to visit other regions and their tourist attractions.

This year’s group includes over 60 musicians with different instruments as well as dancers. Paradis plays the baritone (euphonium) and he said that he already made many friends in the group. He is a very personable teenager.

“I am excited with this summer’s project but I am also a little stressed out of playing a false note or missing a step but deep down I am very happy to be part of this cultural experience,” said the young perfectionist.

The US tour will take place from July 15 to Aug. 12, 2023. The Stentors will compete in 15 Marching Music’s Major League competitions hosted by Drum Corps International.

“This year the tour will take us in 12 different states including Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Iowa, Maryland, Connecticut with a couple of touristic visits in Niagara Falls and Washington DC,” explained the young musician.

The departure show will kickoff the tour on July 15, 2023 at the Triolet RBC Stadium at 7 p.m.

And another show will celebrate their return at the Sylvie Daigle

Stadium (CEGEP de Sherbrooke) on Aug. 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. For these young people it is a wonderful adventure during which they will learn a lot. A mixture of adrenaline, pride and emotions will prevail. It is also an excellent opportunity to develop their sense of responsibility and maturity.

Throughout the tour, the Stentors have agreements with schools located near the competition sites in order to lodge in their gymnasium. The meals are prepared by volunteers. They have a kitchen trailer equipped with refrigerators, stoves and everything they need to feed these hungry teenagers during the trip.

The Stentors operate their own fleet of buses. Their drivers are all volunteers who want to take the trip with the group.

“I expect to experience a little anxiety, a lot of adrenaline, a lot of fun, great discoveries and a lot of pride. This will be an adventure I will remember all my life,” said the young man.

He continued saying that it was not a problem for him to sleep on gymnasium floors in a sleeping bag or not have all the comfort of his home. It is all part of the game and they will find the way to deal with it.

“There are so many positives in

this trip that I chose to see only the good sides. I know it will be an enriching and defining experience for all of us,” stated Paradis. Hoping they have a safe trip and we’ll see them when they return rich with new memories, more knowledge and more experience.

Indeed, the Stentors do wonderful things for young musicians who decide to become a member. It is too late to join in for this year’s adventure. But you can always get in touch with them for more information through their website at www.stentors.org