by Jack MacQuarrie
The Battle of the Bands
In the compilation of the annual directory of community bands in Ontario for last month’s edition I was frequently treated to a short lesson on the history of the band under discussion with my contact person. The enthusiasm for these bands and their traditions was infectious. As I prodded for more information, I learned that no fewer than four of the bands in the directory were the oldest band in Canada! How could this be? Surely only one band could qualify as Canada’s oldest. Or could there be more than one? Could there be the oldest continuously operating band, the oldest under the same name, the oldest rehearsing in the same location, the one with the earliest documented concert date? Most of the older bands have evolved over the years. Some have moved, some have undergone one or more name change, while others have ceased operation only to be revitalized some years later.
In my research, four bands alluded to having the honour of being Canada’s oldest. I was informed that the Ayr-Paris Band, the Newmarket Citizens’ Band, the Oakville Wind Orchestra and the Perth Citizens’ Band held that distinction. These claims were accepted at face value. However, we did not discuss criteria to qualify for this honour. What should be the criteria? Rather than be presumptuous, and arbitrarily list our thoughts here, we are asking for your help. We want to hear from you, the readers of WholeNote. By what criteria should bands be judged? Which band would you nominate for the title of Canada’s oldest? If you wish to stake a claim for your band, send us your submission in 75 words or less no later then October 15, 2006. If you have any photographs or program copies to support your claim, please include them in electronic format. Only one nomination per reader please.
Family banding was another topic which popped up with some regularity in chatting with band people across the province. We heard some fascinating accounts of how many family banding relationships evolved. Brother and sister combinations are relatively common, and husband and wife duos are seen in most bands. There are also intriguing variations: where parents have introduced their children to the joys of band music or, even less frequently, instances where children have led the way. Here again, let us hear from you. Tell us of a family story-with-a-twist in your band.
Never too late, online. While the print version of the band directory is now closed for another year, it is never too late for the WholeNote on-line directory. If your band was missed, or if you have updated information for the directory, send it by e-mail to bandstand@thewholenote.com or by snail mail to our mailing address.
Jack MacQuarrie has served over 25 years on the Board of the Canadian Band Association, and more than 15 years as the senior master of ceremonies of the Toronto Parks and recreation summer music program and has worked on several CAMMAC summer music programs. Jack is a life member of the Toronto Musicians Association and is a regular performing member of no less than four instrumental musical groups. Jack can be reached at bandstand@thewholenote.com.
Within days this information will be included in the on-line directory. Since the September issue went to press we have added three more bands to the directory, and are waiting details on a fourth:
The Gloucester Community
Jolene Savoie 613-851-7959
The Plumbing Factory Brass Band (London)
Awaiting details of contacts and rehearsal information.
Scarborough Community Concert Band
Ellen Faretis 416-724-8989
West Elgin Community Band (West Lorne)
Sharon Little 519-785-0797
Concert Listings
Over the past month five bands have sent us information on their concerts coming in the next few weeks. Keep sending us your latest band news.
Sunday, October 15, 3:00 pm The Hannaford Street Silver Band opens its 06/07 season with Alain Trudel as guest conductor and trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann as featured soloist.
Tuesday, October 24, 8:00 pm The Hannaford Youth Band/Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra concert (with Joe Alessi, soloist). The venue for this concert has been changed back to the Toronto Centre for the Arts (George Weston Recital Hall).
Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28, 8:00 pm The Etobicoke Community Concert Band launch the first of their “rising stars” concert series with “Etobicoke Swings”, a toe-tapping program of vintage-1940’s Big Band favourites featuring multi-talented young Ernesto Cervini on clarinet, piano and drums.
Sunday, October 29, 2:30 pm The Oshawa Civic Band with co-host Whitby Brass Band perform a joint concert with the Southern Ontario Composite Band at St. George’s Memorial Anglican Church, 51 Centre Street South, Oshawa.
Wednesday, November 22 The Plumbing Factory Brass Band in London will start its twelfth season with a St. Cecilia’s Day concert. Check for details next month.
(They have also been invited to be special guest performers for the 100th anniversary of the Sunderland Town Hall Nov. 26th in Sunderland, Ontario).
Finally, a correction
The directory listing for The Lincoln Concert Band in the September issue erroneously shows the band as operating in Bowmanville. The website listing correctly shows the community as Beamsville.
