Celebrating 150 years of musical Excellence
In early Victorian times, the band serenaded the citizens at concerts in the park, took part in military marches and parades in the town - even parading down George Street when it was just a dirt road. The band played for socials, funerals, competitions and every special event within the community and beyond. The Peterborough Concert Band has been known by a variety of names over the years - some most unusual.
The original band was formed about 1858 as the Rifle Brigade Band under the direction of A.H. Rackett and became one of the finest military civilian brass bands in Ontario. In 1861, the Rifle Company Band officiated at the funeral of Col. Alexander McDonnell, assistant to the Hon. Peter Robinson . In 1867, the band became the Rural Band. In 1874, Bandmaster Finch W. Miller, was brought from England by officers of the 57th Regiment to teach its band members. The Regimental Band at that time included almost the same members as the Fire Brigade Band which Mr. Miller also led. In 1894, the band was re-organized under the auspices of the Peterborough Fire Brigade and came to be known as the Fire Brigade Band. In 1901, the combined 57th Regimental Band played the National Anthem at the Bradburn Opera House after a rousing lecture by Winston Spencer Churchill.
Twelve years later the band came under the patronage of the military in Peterborough and officially became the 57th Regiment Band with Rupert Glidden as Bandmaster. In 1915 with the onslaught of World War I, the group became the 59th Battalion Band, and amalgamated a year later with the 93rd Overseas Battalion Band to become the Great War Veterans Association Band under the direction of Bandmaster Walter Hughes. In 1921, the band became the Canadian Machine Gun Battalion Band - but again changed their name in 1923 to the Peterborough Rangers Band. For the next 23 years this name seemed to suit! Then in 1946, just after World War II, another name came along - The Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment Band - but this sounded more like they manned giant guns rather than musical instruments - so in 1947, again the name changed. The band became the Peterborough Citizen’s Band, then the Peterborough Civic Concert Band, but is now known as the Peterborough Concert Band which is comprised of 45 excellent musicians. This band is one of the oldest musical groups still playing in Ontario! In May, 2008, the Band will celebrate it’s 150th Anniversary.
The uniforms have changed over the years - going from military dress, to white tunics, to aqua jackets, to garnet and grey uniforms, gold braid and all - and finally to the red blazer of today. In spite of many name changes and transitions over the years, one man, William Peryer, remained as the bandmaster of the group from 1915 to 1950. A remarkable achievement, considering he also played in the band prior to 1915, and continued on playing after he retired.
In 1950, Wally Parnell took over as bandmaster.. He was a third generation musician in his family which included his grandfather, Henry Parnell, his father, Henry Parnell Jr., as well as his brother Garth Parnell, who all played in the band. Milson Smith, father of newly retired conductor, Calvin Smith, as well as Milson’s brother Victor Smith, were also band members. Cecil Gallagher began with the band in 1924, and continued on for 60 years! The current conductor is Peter Sudbury who was appointed when Cal Smith retired after 25 years with the Band.
Some other well known band members, past and present, include: Del Crary, Lorne Irwin, Herb Knox, Norman (Buzz) Buzzell, John Oosterbroek, Murray Mander, Bill Scott, Fred Huffman, and Charlie Ridpath, to name a few.
Female musicians auditioned and became band members for the first time in 1967. Charmaine Prole was one of the first women to play with the band and continues on in the trumpet section. Today, about half of the band members are women.
Over the years the band won many awards at the C.N.E. Band Competitions, as well as performed at hundreds of functions - and very early in it’s history, won the Amateur Band Championship for the Dominion of Canada! The Peterborough Concert Band provided music at the 75th Anniversary of the Lift Locks and it is most probable that this band, in one form or another, under one name or another, played at the opening of the Peterborough Lift Locks in 1904. The Peterborough Concert Band also took part in Peterborough’s 100th Anniversary celebration.
The Band continues its legacy as part of Peterborough’s Art’s
community providing concerts, performing at Senior’s Homes and
Residences, playing concerts in the park, the Festival of Lights, as
well as providing music for many special events in the community.
For more information on the band, please contact Jon Law.
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