Captain Charles Albert Walter Adams CD LRAM ARCM (retired)

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Captain"Charley" Adams. He had a long and distinguished career in the Canadian Forces. His service began with the Lincoln(and Welland) Regiment band in St Catharines Ontario. In 1938, he joined the Royal Canadian Regiment band in London Ontario. He served with the RCR until the mid 1940's and was selected for bandmaster training at Kneller hall the Royal Military School of Music in Britain. This was a distinct honor and well deserved by Charles. He was remembered by British musician and author Major Gordon Turner as a gentleman who took great pains to assist other musicians attending the school. 

Captain Adams graduated in 1957 from the Royal School of Music. He was then appointed the associate director of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade band in Germany sharing duties with colleague captain James Gayfer. On his return to Canada, he was appointed director of Music of the newly formed Guards band in Petawawa, Ontario.In 1964 he was selected to become the Command Inspector for bands in Central Command. In 1966, Charles Adams returned to the Canadian Guards band as its director of Music. 

In 1967, Captain Adams was called upon to provide music for the numerous arrivals to Canada for the Centennial celebrations and for several months he was on public duties in Ottawa. This was a daunting task, because of the number of national anthems he was required to play for a long list of luminaries. His work with the band was to receive numerous compliments from Canadian officials and the visitors to Canada. Captain Adams retired from the Canadian Forces in 1969.

Throughout his retirement he maintained a keen interest in the military bands in Canada and wrote letters of support for the bands. He was one of last few remaining military musicians from pre war days and his work helped to lay the groundwork for the outstanding professional military bands we have in Canada today. As a personal note, I met him several times and it was a pleasure to know him.

Jack Kopstein CD