The History of the Royal Canadian Regiment Band
The information regarding the RCR band was
originally researched by Jack Kopstein while serving with the Regimental
band in 1964-65 and taken from the archives of the RCR Museum
Wolseley Barracks London Ontario. The author of information in this
article is Captain William Ebberts, the last Director of Music of the band..
The Infantry School Band was organized from mostly British Army musicians who had remained in Canada when the British began to remove their troops from Canada. Also several British army musicians emigrated to Canada during this same period. The band essentially was a brass band and the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Regiment Band. It was officially sanctioned in 1905 in Halifax under Bandmaster Michael Ryan. In 1994 it was disbanded by the Canadian Government thus ending a world class military band and depriving the public of a wonderful musical ensemble.
The story of the band starts before the regiment officially became the Royal Canadian Regiment. Initially the regiment started in 1884 as the Infantry Corps School and the name would change several times in the following years. In 1887 it changed to the Royal School of Military Instruction followed in 1892 to Canadian Regiment of Infantry. In 1897 Corporal Offen acting as Bandmaster played a concert which included:
March Pestal Gorin
Fantasia The harvest Feast Round
Waltz Fraunauf der Ocean Gungte
Selection Gaisha Jones
Seven years later the title changed again to the Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry and in 1901 the present day title was adopted.
A year after the School of Infantry was formed and using members of his company, Sergeant Charles Hayes of ‘A’ Company in Fredericton, New Brunswick formed a band. Hayes had been in the British army and was a graduate of the Royal Military School of Music (Kneller Hall). He may have come to Canada with the British Army in 1873 and decided not to return to England. Building on his bandmaster background the regiment allowed him to start and train a band which became a integral part of military life and the city during that time period. The musicians were nearly all ex-Imperial army players and generally provided their own instruments. They wore the standard infantry dress for the period with low collar and wings. They had the Austrian knot on their sleeves and wore the infantry short brimmed hat for headdress along with the Wolseley helmet as needed. Little is known about Haye’s band and the lack of printed music became quite a problem. A photo of the band in 1884 shows only part of the band but the instruments clearly indicates it was predominantly brass. Although only eleven members are shown the normal instrumentation at that time for a twenty six piece band would have been one flute, one tenor horn, one baritone, five clarinets, seven cornets, two basses, three alto horns, four trombones and two drums.
The Canadian Militia was not very keen about military bands as they felt this was a great waste of man power. However, with so many British troops in Canada, it was thought advisable to help raise some regimental bands on order to establish some conformity in organization. The sanctioning of military bands was given in Militia Orders #3 of April 1887 which stated the instrumentation for infantry and cavalry units. Again the trend was brass instruments as the instrumental chart shows that each infantry company was permitted only one flute and one clarinet as opposed to two cornets and two trombones.
In 1888 a Canadian, Robert Fisher a former member of the Canadian Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), was credited with having formed the London, Ontario Station Band. The band was known as the Infantry School Corps Band and under Fisher it became a prominent institution in London between 1888 and 1891.
Along with the Bandmaster, the band had twenty three members and expanded twenty eight by 1891. The band later disbanded with twenty-four members left and under the baton of a former member of the Life Guards Band, Band Sgt Welsh. During its life time the band was very popular and appeared at many well known affairs including The London Hunt Club, Princess Rink, Sons of Canada, Victoria Club, Wonderland and the opening of Western Fair in 1891.
A detailed list of engagements for that era shows that the band members were paid on the basis of the honorarium received for each performance according to rank. This was in addition to their regular pay which in some cases reached the magnificent sum of sixty cents per day. The Bandmaster always drew twenty-five percent of the payment and the Band Sgt. fifteen percent with the balance going to corporal and privates. The band boys received nothing and they were required to carry all the ‘kit" from horse drawn carriages provided for the occasion. The instruments were government issue and made by the well known English music company Boosey’s.
The instrumentation of the band shows twenty one brass instruments were in use in 1888. Including the Bandmaster they were one flute, four clarinets (thirteen keyed affairs carried in cloth bags), two alto horns, one tenor horn, five cornets, two trombones, one baritone, two basses and two drums. The enlistment was for three years although records shows that several of the band members deserted, or were released dishonorably.
Late in 1895 a regimental order announced the promotion of Corporal George Offen to Sergeant Bugler. This is an interesting regimental historical point as it makes reference to the bugler who composed the regimental march. Two years later he was a Bandmaster of a small volunteer band but there is no indication of how long it lasted. Between 1901and 1903 there were several bands formed but broke up just as fast as they appeared. By 1905 he had become Drum Major, a position he held until his transfer to the Quebec Station.
On October 30, 1899 the 2nd Battalion Band sailed from Quebec City to take part in the South African War aboard the ship Sardinia. Bugle Sergeant Troshom, an RCR regular, formed a band from musicians that were available and used the ships instruments. After docking in Capetown the band ceased playing and instruments were returned.
On April 16, 1903 Regimental Order #234 was issued by Brevet Colonel L. Buchan stating information in regards to Bugle Sound and Trumpet Calls. The Adjutant of the Regiment, H. Venal issued the following Regimental Order #334:
"The establishment of a Regimental Band of the RCR has been approved." The following will be the personnel of the band: 1 Bandmaster, 1 Sgt, 1 Cpl, and 22 musicians. The band will be stationed at Halifax until further orders. The OC at the station will be at once proceed with the organization. Instruments have been applied for and will be forwarded in due course."
The year 1905 was to be an extremely eventful one as the 5th Battalion Royal Garrison Regiment (British Army) was relieved by the RCR who took over the garrison duties in Halifax. This action prompted careful consideration to the formation of a fully authorized regimental band. Therefore at a time when the Regiment became a separate and whole entity did the creation of the regimental band come to fruition.
It is interesting to note that the scale of issue designated for 1888 was still in effect in 1905. No mention was made of what system would be followed in respect to hiring or appointing a Bandmaster, nor how music and dress uniform (if applicable) would be obtained. The lack of thought concerning these important points was not an effort to disrupt the scheme, but generally a lack of knowledge concerning military bands and their operation.
In the foreward to A Hundred Years of Military Music by Lt. Col. PL Binns, Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer wrote in part "What is it that makes a band into an entity which is not only musically proficient but regimentally so essential in many other ways? Who sets the tone of that band in aspects much broader than merely technical? It is indeed the Bandmaster, and the possession of a really good one is perhaps one of the greatest assets which a regiment or corps can have." There is little doubt that a bandmaster’s influence among the regiment can be felt by all personnel and his loyalty and keenness can be a constant source of pride.
The Royal Canadian Regiment would hire such a Bandmaster by the name of Michael Ryan. Ryan was born in the Citadel in Quebec City on May 7, 1865. At the age of 15 he joined the Imperial Army in India as a Band Boy in the 17th Fusiliers of the 27th Brigade of Infantry. He played the clarinet and showed good aptitude for music which got him posted to the Royal Military School of Music (Kneller Hall) for additional training. Later he was Bandmaster of the 3rd Battalion, West India Regiment Band which he formed and trained on the island of St. Helena in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1901 found him stationed at Sierra Leone but he took a six month furlough and returned to Halifax for a visit. The RCR bandmaster had taken ill and Ryan took over the Band on a voluntary basis for the period of his visit. He later rejoined his regiment when had moved to Bermuda. His 3rd Battalion band had been disbanded but was assigned to the 1st Battalion Band, a post which he held until 1905.
In 1905 he retired after twenty five years in the Imperial Army to Canada. Shortly after the formation of the RCR Band in Halifax he excepted the appointment as Bandmaster with the rank of Warrant Officer 1. The regiment felt that his previous voluntary service with the band and Kneller Hall training would prove the right combination to quick bring the band up to a professional standard.
The band he took over was a small group of thirteen musicians with an ill-assorted instrumentation. He struggling for some months with various problems when a stroke of luck the band strength suddenly doubled. In 1906 he was able to bring about the enlistment of thirty musicians from the Manchester Regiment in England which would become known as the Manchester Draft.
Another problem was the purchasing of music was out of the bandmasters pocket. This is indicated in the RCR Band library of 1965 which listed many compositions with Ryan’s named stamped on them.
The 1907 band instrumentation for a thirty six piece ensemble was one bandmaster, one flute, one oboe, eight clarinets, two saxophones, one bassoon, three alto horns, three tenor horns, seven cornets, three trombones, two baritones, two basses and two drums.
The years between 1905 and 1908 were basically a time of development for the band. Regimentally they were extremely popular for parades, mess dinners and giving troops concerts as well as Saturday morning concerts for the residents of Halifax.
There were two factors which assisted Ryan in furthering the reputation of the band. One was the regular publication of Band Journal (music) at prices which made them easily obtainable. This helped to build the repertoire of the RCR Band to high degree of efficiency. Prior to this time all music was written by hand and circulated from one band to another. These manuscripts became rather dog-eared after considerable circulation. The other factor was the full dress uniform of a bold scarlet jacket with white piping and blue trousers together with a white forge cap and white card case. Dress uniform are a basic commodity with military bands however in those days they were a novelty helped to lift the band into national fame.
In 1908 the Band visited the Plains of Abraham at Quebec City to play for a review of Canadian troops by HRH The Prince of Wales (later King George V) during the Tercentenary of Quebec. They also performed one week at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto sharing the band stand with the Winnipeg City Band. Both of these occasions marked the purchase of the new scarlet uniforms.
The appearance at the CNE was a highlight in the band’s history as it was received with such enthusiastic response that in 1909 it was again featured along with the Winnipeg Band and the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band.
A sample programme by the RCR Band at that date was:
Overture Oberon Weber
Fantasie Fantasie Brilliante Arban (Cornet soloist Cpl. R. Bedell)
Opera - Scene from La Giconda Ponchielli
Selection - Lady Madcap Rubens
Fantasie Siefried Wagner
March - Jack Tar Sousa
Finale - Poet and Peasant von Suppe
In 1911 the Regimental band together with a party of officers and men attended the Coronation of King George V in England. While in England the band gave several concerts in London and elsewhere. Regimental Order #538 of 2 August 1911 showed that on returning Bandmaster Ryan was promoted to Honorary Lieutenant. This was in recognition of his special services in bringing the band to an enviable position musically in the Dominion and for work during the Coronation.
War clouds began to form in 1914 and the Regiment and band were detailed for duty in Bermuda. On September 11, 1914, Lt. Ryan sailed with his band for Bermuda. This trip proved uneventful and according to the troops a boring time. No significant performances were played by the band and after thirteen months the regiment returned to Canada.
The Regiment and band remained in Halifax only a week before they were dispatched to Europe. Just prior to sailing the band gave a performance for the citizens of Halifax. This was to be the final concert in that city as the band did not return to Halifax as a unit. The concert conducted by Lt. Ryan drew a capacity audience. The band received a standing ovation and played many encores. On conclusion of the concert the proceeds, $600.00, was presented to the band by the Music Society of Halifax. This was to divided amongst the band members. A letter accompanied the cheque and was addressed to the Commanding Officer, Colonel Carpenter: [in part]
Dear Colonel Carpenter:
Please find a cheque for $600.00 from the proceeds of the concert given
by the band of the Royal Canadian Regiment under their bandmaster Lt. Ryan.
The Halifax public as well as the musical organization of this city are
deeply appreciative of the splendid service your band has rendered to the
musical life of the city.
Colonel Carpenter replied:
‘As Colonel of the Royal Canadian Regiment I am and my officers and all
ranks desire to tender their deepest thanks to the musical organization of
Halifax for the splendid manner in which they have entertained the band , a unit
which we are all proud of."
A more fitting tribute could not have been paid to the band and Lt. Ryan than to have gained the respect of an entire community.
The programme presented on August 23, 1915 at the final Halifax concert was:
March March from Tannhauser Wagner
Overture Massaniello Auber
Waltz Tales of Vienna Woods Strauss
Selection Chu Chin Chow Norton (?)
Cornet Solo Showers of Gold Clark (Soloist Cpl. R. Bedell)
Patrol Wee Mac Gregor Amers (?)
Selection Ruddigore Sullivan
March Rakocry Berlioz
Finale Land of Hope and Glory Elgar
Regimental March Past
The band together with Regiment spent eight weeks training in Shorncliffe England then embarked for France. It was a time of all out war, and therefore band members as well as the bandmaster became non-functional which, for a short time, spelled the demise of the band.
The instruments had not been shipped from Canada so band members became stretcher bearers and lookouts in the trenches. This situation remained until August 1916 when the instruments arrived and the musicians reassembled to begin rehearsals. The same month they played a concert for the men of Camp F and accordingly had regained a good start. This is given in the first volume of the RCR regimental history ‘After a day in Ypres and Zillebeke Bund, the Regiment was relieved by the Patricias on the night of August 19 and marched back to Camp F, where the men were welcomed by a newly formed Regimental band. The band, containing a number of experienced musicians had been practicing since the unit’s band instruments had arrived at the front on August 3 and all ranks were pleased by the rapidity with which it had attained a high standard of technical skill..’
Soon after the band began functioning again, Lt. Ryan suffering from gout was invalided to Canada. This was a great blow to the band members. He was later prompted to Captain on his return to duties. In the interim Band Sergeant Hugo Jones took the baton. During their time in Europe the band gave a creditable musical performance in the cellar of Arras in August 1918 despite interruption by German artillery. When the regiment reached Le Havre on February 3, they proceeded to the Canadian Embarkation Camp. Again from the regimental history ‘ At midnight, the bugles of The Royal Canadian Regiment sounded "fall in", and shortly thereafter, with the band and drums playing, the Regiment marched off to the dock and embarked on the SS Mona’s Queen. Just before reaching the dock, the band, which had been playing various airs, broke suddenly into "Tipperary", that song of the British Army in the Great War and above all of the "Old Contemptibles," which, even to this day, stirs the hearts of a generation no longer young proud memories of the marching battalions of 1914." Even on the return voyage the band continued to entertain the men and passengers.
Sergeant Jones had joined the band as part of the Manchester Draft and became Band Sergeant in 1914 just prior to the departure to Bermuda. He received a field commission and took over the duties of Bandmaster until 1919 just before the Band returned to Canada. He remained with the RCR until 1920 when he took the rank of Captain and directorship of the Royal Montreal Regiment, a position he held until his death in 1951.
In 1920 the regiment became established in different areas of the nation. The band followed ‘C’ Company to London which became the regimental headquarters.
During the period of regimental relocation, the Band had been in Halifax, Valcartier, Quebec and Toronto but was not seen as a musical organization. The results of war had been very damaging. Many veterans had retired and others left the service completely. The band strength at the time of arrival in London was about fourteen and continued for some time. Captain Ryan made an effort to restore the band by visiting the meetings of the Canadian Committee in Toronto on October 1920. He stated that he wished to bring the band back to pre-war standard, but however had difficulties in obtaining men and therefore asked for a grant of $500 be set aside to bring a few good bandsmen from England. This was moved and carried and the payments were based on the condition that the men stay in the regiment for two years and pay back at least half their fare. It apparently brought good results as several bandsmen came from including J. Maule, future Band Sgt and a later Director of Music J. Proderick.
The period between 1920-1924 the band was engaged in mainly regimental duties. Although no major engagements were played it was at a time when concerts in Victoria Park became popular and the band may have taken part in these musical programmes. Prior to World War One the scale of issue for instruments and accessories had ceased and around this time the band became dependant on the regiment for assistance. Thus a new tern came into existence ‘Band Fund’. It was in this manner that instruments and music were purchased.
In 1923 Captain Ryan became seriously ill, although, by January 1924 it was thought he would recover but died in February at St. Joseph Hospital in London, Ontario. The flag at Wolseley Barracks flew at half mast and the entire regiment went into official mourning. Many people both civilian and military expressed sincere regret at the passing of very respected veteran Bandmaster. Colonel Hill, the Commanding Officer, in eulogizing Captain Ryan saying "He was a fine gentleman, a loyal friend and was loved by all the NCO’s and officers of the Regiment. A God fearing honorable soldier passed away and his death will be mourned by all." His coffin was moved to the train for the long move back to Halifax for final interment. The band, which he had lead for so long, played solemn reverence. The bugler sounded Last Post as band members filed past to pay last respects to their Bandmaster. Several thousand people stood with bowed heads at the railway station, respectfully watching the ceremony, in silent tribute. He was buried with full military honours in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
For several months the band was without a bandmaster and during this period Band Sergeant J. Maule directed the band. In July 1924, Bandmaster Lawrence Kendall Harrison, a former member of the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry was appointed. He was a graduate of Kneller Hall (1918) and had acquired his Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music (LRAM). He was promoted to Bandmaster on his arrival in London and a year later promoted to Lieutenant and Director of Music.
Most of the musicians of the band at that time were Imperial Army veterans. [see attachment A]. The twenty-five piece band was involved mostly in regimental duties. A particular highlight in the bands history was the 1924 attendance at the dedication of a Cross of Sacrifice in the Arlington Military Cemetery, Washington DC. It was erected by the Canadian Government in honour of those citizens of the United States who gave their lives while serving in the Canadian Forces during the Great War.
In August 1928 the Band attended the summer concentration and joined with the RCHA Band to present a massed band concert on August 19th, 1928. The following is the programme performed:
Grand March Cleopatra Mancini
Selection Mikado Sullivan
Suite Dwellers of the Western World Sousa
Overture 1812 Overture Tchaidovsky
Solo Items Rhapsody
Slavonic Freidemann
Paso Doble
Bric and Brac
Grand Military Tattoo Rogan
In 1930, along with the R22eR Band, their were chosen to perform at the Canadian National Exhibition as part of a permanent force tribute by the CNE. In September the two bands, totaling fifty-five musicians, amassed in Toronto for a to week feature. Each musician received an additional $150.00 which was a tremendous sum considering the average pay was a $1.20 per day. On their return to London and under the direction of Lieutenant Harrison, the band was hired to play a series of radio concerts for the Silverwood Dairy of London and became known as the Silverwood Concert Band. This proved to be very popular and letters and telegrams came flooding in from all over Canada. The District Commanding Officer M. D. No. 4 (Montreal) telegraphed his congratulations and the Commandant in charge of the RCR in Halifax station wrote "Will you kindly convey to the members of the Regimental Band the heartiest congratulations of myself, family and friends on the rendition of their programme of music, broadcast over the radio on the night of August 12, 1930, and I sincerely hope that we will be able to hear more from them in the near future. It was a rare treat and brought back memories of old times and associations."
Other letters came from Mr. ACW Piggin of St. Vital, Manitoba who had served with the regiment in France during WW1 and was wounded, sent a word of praise for the radio concert and did one that was addressed to the Regimental Sergeant Major from Sgt Instructor R. E. Lawrance, The RCR (IC) Halifax, who said " I am writing to ask you to congratulate and convey to the members of the Regimental Band the appreciation of the members of my family, our friends and myself, for the splendid program of music we had the pleasure of listening to the night (12 Aug 1930), and we sincerely hope that we shall have the privilege again in the near future. Reception here was perfect. Kind remembrance to all our friends in London."
There is very little written on the band during 1931 and 1932. They mostly played military engagements and several bandsmen were awarded the Long Service Metal and Good Conduct Metal. Lt. Harrison was promoted to Captain in 1932 just after the presentation of new colours to the regiment by the Governor General.
In 1933 the 50th Anniversary of the Regiment saw the band as the prime attraction at all festivities including the Trooping the Colours. It was an eventful weekend with thousands of former members of the regiment journeying to Wolseley Barracks to renew old acquaintances. The band played a major part in the event with two special concerts performed for visitors and members. Following that the band presented a program at a garden party outside the Officers Mess which proved to be a great success. Dr. McCormick was the guest conductor, conducted the band which played his composition The Connecting File especially composed for the occasion. His own description of the event stated "The band concert draws a large crowd and ‘good old Band’ gives us a nice concert. My turns comes and I direct my march The Connecting File. The crowd seems to want an encore and Captain Harrison sends me back to play it again. Colonel shouts his approval and honours me by standing up and shakes my had. If the march pleases the listeners I am pleased in turn. Colonel Langford later orders me to play it again. I thank the Band members and buy a bottle of beer for each."
The Band played again on a national wide radio broadcast program over station CJCC (no longer on air) under the auspices of the Radio Broadcasting Commission. Mr. H. S. Corbin, former employee of the London Free Press, living on Vancouver Island at the time, stated he heard the RCR band clearly, without static and also went on to say that all Londoners should be proud of a band like that. "Our reception was perfect and strong. We fully enjoyed the broadcast. The attacks were decisive and showed careful training, the whole band sounded as one instrument. It was indeed a treat."
In July 1934 the band accompanied the troops to Niagara-on-the-Lake where church parades were participated in and several concerts were presented.
Prior to World War Two both regimental and corps bands were small ensembles that numbered no more than twenty eight including the director. The three army permanent force bands were the Royal Canadian Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and the Royal 22e Regiment. In 1937 Coronation Band was formed using twelve members from each band under the direction of Captain Charles O’Neill. The band would be part of the Canadian Contingent that traveled to England. The band was shown in a 1937 photo in the London Free Press. Members of the RCR Band that were chosen to be part of the band were Band Sergeant J. Maule, Acting Sergeant Wright, Lance Corporal Bocock, Bandsmen Armstrong, Proderick, FC Thomas, W. Thomas, Simpson, Tomlinson, Dredge, Macquire and Cooper.
Upon returning from England the twelve members rejoined the band and a tour was made of all RCR stations ending in Halifax where they played at the Halifax Exhibition. In the summer the Battalion was in Niagara-on-the-Lake for the annual summer concentration when war broke out and the battalion moved to Valcartier, Quebec.
Captain Harrison, retired from the band in 1939 but became a distinguished figure in the musical life of London assisting many musical ensembles. He was a prolific arranger-composer and was called upon many times to adjudicate at music festivals. He returned to England where he died in 1962.
The September 1939 out break of war caused the RCR, RCHA, and the R22R bands to break up, and although the RCR band was only momentarily disbanded, the other bands were not reorganized for several years. For the next year the band was at a standstill while the world watched the events in Europe. Warrant Officer 1 John Proderick took over as Bandmaster and in 1940 was appointed Director of Music with a promoted to Lieutenant.
Under Lieutenant Proderick the band was stationed in Camp Borden performing for parade and concerts as well as carrying out guard mounting in Toronto. The Band Sergeant during most of the war was Sergeant William Armstrong, later a Director of Music, who had joined the band in 1929.
The band returned to London in 1942 becoming part of the No. 7 Recruiting Depot. It helped in the Band Drives and recruiting. During this time that had increased to thirty members and traveled extensively to Detroit and Windsor where on several occasions played at St. Likes Barracks.
One of the highlights in 1944 which the band took part was the coast to coast programme presented by the Esso Oil Company.
Lieutenant Proderick retired in 1945 after twenty-four years service with the band. He was remember as a loyal member and a veteran of the South African War when he passed away in 1966.
The Corps of Drums (or bugle band) has played an important part in the history of the RCR Band. During the two world wars the regimental band was stationed in London, Ontario but a Corps of Drums was maintained in Halifax, Nova Scotia by ‘A’ Company. The Corps of Drums were disbanded before the battalion left for England in 1943 since a ‘band’ was ‘not on the War Establishment of an assault battalion in the invasion of Sicily’. However there was reports a band formed in Aldershot, England. Its members consisted of NCO’s, drivers and various other trades who turned out when ever music was needed. During this time the Drums were sent to the Guards Depot at Caterham for three weeks and when they returned a Drum Major from the Scots Guards had been added. This made quite a difference to the standard of the Corps.
Prior to heading of to the Italian campaign they were very warmly received where ever they played. The instruments were put away before the landing in Italy until they reached Piedmonte. Later the band had reformed and visited British and Canadian hospitals, Naples, Salerno and played in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. During the battle for the airfield at Rimini, the band was made into an ammunition detail. While bringing ammunition to ‘D’ Company they attacked and cleared a houseful of Germans who had reoccupied the place after ‘D’ Company passed through. In doing so, they saved the company from considerable embarrassment and likely casualties. This is one of the few instances were bandsmen as a group took on an active part in the fighting.
After the Canadian Army moved to Northwest Europe six buglers took part in the 25th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, took part in the ceremony at L’Arc de Triomphe in Paris when the flame was relit over the grave of the Unknown Soldier. After VE Day they continued on tour delighting people wherever they went.
The band strength in March 1946 was nineteen with an instrumentation of one flute, five clarinets, one bassoon, one horn, four trumpets, three trombones, one euphonium, two basses and one drum. In April the battalion moved to Brockville and the Band split up. A portion went to Halifax to assist the Artillery Band in playing for the arrival of troops ships into Halifax Harbour. The remaining eleven were establishment with the battalion in Brockville under Sergeant P. R. Graham. Sgt Graham had joined in 1935 and returned to the RCR Band in 1945 after having served overseas.
Despite the low numbers they managed to carry on performing a variety of engagements. Most of the Halifax based members had returned by March and the bands numbers rose to seventeen.
In the fall of 1947 Warrant Officer William Armstrong was appointed bandmaster. He had enlisted in the British Army in 1919 and served in various parts of the UK and Ireland. His 1929 application into the Canadian Army was accepted as cornet soloist with the RCR Band in London. During his time he was a member of the 1930 regular force band that performed at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto and the 1937 Coronation Band. In 1940 he was promoted to Band Sergeant and four years later excepted a transfer to Ottawa as Bandmaster of the Canadian Staff Band. When hostilities ended in 1945 he transferred to the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Band. Later, at the insistence of Sergeant Graham, Colonel Houghton, then CO of the RCR in Brockville, requested to have Armstrong returned to the RCR Band on posting.
This period beginning in 1947 signified the beginning of a fruitful era for the band. Their popularity grew with headlines wherever they traveled. The following year the Band returned to London for concert in Victoria Park. The London Free Press proclaimed "Thousands hear the RCR Band again". The band, numbering about twenty eight, boasted a good quality dance orchestra and its versatility helped the band’s popularity. They were the duty band at Vimy Barracks in Kingston, Ontario for the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals reunion. This included a drumhead church service and a few concerts in which they accompanied by the Toronto Signals Trumpet Band. On the same trip they played at the Royal Military College for Canada’s famous World War Two commander General Crerar who took time out to speak with the band. In July they returned to Camp Petawawa for a guard of honour duties for Major General Gavin of the US Army.
In April 1948 the band was in Camp Borden where they were inspected by General Vokes. The following month they provided the background music for the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals reunion and drumhead service at Kingston. Later they played at the Royal Military College and were addressed by General Crerar, Canada’s brilliant WW2 commanding general during the European campaign. Other ceremonies included the Picton Victoria Day celebrations, playing at the inspection of the RC Armoured Corps school in Borden, Garrison Church Parade in London, and a graduation ceremonies at Western University. The band was seemed to be on the road constantly playing at the Western Fair in London , the Picton Fair, the RMC for the visit of the Minister of National Defence, the Lindsay Fair and later at Bariefield for the RCEME Association reunion. The concerts or ceremonies varied keeping the band playing a wide variety of music.
In 1949 the band traveled to New York State to participate in the Ogensberg Bi-Centennial Celebration. When regimental duties allowed they performed at fairs and other engagements. An interesting foot note for 1949. By this year the Regiment had five marches they could call their own:
The RCR March Past Composed by Cpl. George Offen
The Connecting File Composed by Dr. A. S. McCormick in 1933
Paardeberg Composed by Dr. A. S. McCormick in 1948
Colonel Houghton Composed by Bandmaster Armstrong in 1949
Colonel Bingham Composed by Dr. A. S. McCormick in 1949
The RCR departed Brockville in 1950 for Camp Petawawa. During this year Bandmaster Armstrong was promoted to Lieutenant becoming the fourth person to hold this honour in four-five years of the bands existence.
This period was also the start of official sanction for military bands which changed the entire structure of bands and had a broadening effect concerning the financing of bands. Previously, a band was only permitted to function at the units own expense and was becoming very costly. The official sanction of Canadian service bands would eventually included all three services. The instruments, which were regimental property, were disposed of and by 1949 all equipment exclusive of music was on issue. Shortly after this new policy was adopted the government began sending bandsmen to the Royal Military School of Music. The training received here improved the caliber of the musicians and groomed some candidates for potential assignments of bandmaster.
The dress uniform, which had been used since the visit of the King and Queen in 1939, was also reintroduced at this time. The Regiment at first attempted to outfit the entire band with the necessary kit, however Army Headquarters in the meantime authorized the issue of dress uniforms from public funds. The uniforms were ordered in the fall of 1950, but delivery was not received until March 1952.
Heading the many duties of the band between 1947-51 was a tour of Korea. Many Canadian and American soldiers and marines listened to their stirring concerts. They played over a hundred concerts in a two month period and on the homeward voyage, aboard the SS Mariner performed several concerts. When the band returned to Canada it took up residence in Camp Petawawa.
In October 1951 the Royal Military College at Kingston, Ontario was visited by the Royal Family and the band was there to provide the music. The music played during the ceremony was:
March On Imperial Echoes
Royal Salute 1st 6 bars - National Anthem
Inspection Superna Petimus
March past - Line On the Quarter Deck
March Post - Column Precision
(Regimental march Past of the RMC)
Advance in Review Order First eight bars of British Grenadiers
Royal Salute first six bars of the National Anthem
March off Sons of the Brave
In March 1951, the band visited Fort Lewis, Washington State where the 25th Canadian Brigade had formed prior to leaving for Korea. In the following seven week period they were in constant demand and played for services clubs, church parades and later, along with the RCA Band from Shilo, played for the inspection parade by General Simonds. Back Seattle they played at the War Memorial and saw the advance party off to Korea. They excepted a invitation to Fort Lawton on the out skits of the city and played for an audience of American soldiers and their dependents.
During their stay in Seattle the people of the city asked them for a special visit. The band did this on March 30th when the combined bands played a retreat ceremony in front of the city War Memorial. The event was publicised in newspapers and radio and the public attended in mass. The Director Music introduced the bands to the public and explained the Retreat Ceremony. Canadian and American soldiers were on guard as the flags of both ceremonies were lowered simultaneously and the ceremony was concluded by the playing of an evening hymn and the both national anthems.
On April 9 they played at an luncheon hosted by the United Nations Organization. On the 14th they played at Fort Lewis at a mess dinner in honour of the Governor General and the Minister of National Defence. The following day the band formed up with the brigade and were reviewed by the Governor General. The Band departed for Korea where they continued to entertain the troops. During their two month tour they played no less than 100 concerts and played several shipboard concerts on the homeward trip aboard the US Marine Hunter. When they arrived in Canada they were stationed in Camp Petawawa.
In 1953 the band joined with other service bands to take part in the Coronation Parade of Queen Elizabeth. This occasion was the first wearing of the scarlet uniforms since the royal visit in 1939. Another particular highlight was a concert played for a Cultural Series in St. Catharines, Ontario in November. The programme included:
Introduction Act III Lohengrin Wagner
Overture Der Frieschute Weber
Post Horn Solo The Galop Koeing
Fantasy A Strauss Garland arr Winter
Medley Cole Porter Songs arr Bennett
Suite The Bobby Soxers Walters
Patrol Wee MacGregor Amer
Concertino Concertino for Bb Weber
Dance Hungarian No. 6 Brahms
Session a. American Patrol Miller
b. Anvil Chorus Miller
Finale Nightfall in Camp Pope
At the end of 1953 Lieutenant Armstrong was promoted to Captain and excepted the position of Command Director of the Maritimes. A year later he retired moving to St. Petersburg, Florida where he died in the late sixties.
Captain Joseph Purcell CD ARCM, who had first served in Canada as Command Inspector of Bands Eastern Command, was now appointed as Director of Music. He was born in London, England enlisting in 1926 with the Border Regiment. He began his musical career as a clarinetist and attended Kneller Hall on a pupils course in 1928-29. In 1936 he returned to Kneller Hall for the Bandmasters Course receiving his ARCM diploma. The war caused a disruption to service bands in England and it was not until 1942 that he received a Bandmaster appointment. He spent over twenty-five years in the Imperial Army and a year after his retirement he enlisted in the Canadian Army.
At the end of 1953 the band consisted of one officer, two Warrant Officers and thirty-five totaling thirty-eight. By the end of 1954 it had increased to one officer two Warrant Officers and fifty-two NCOs and one other rank. This totaled fifty-six an increase of eighteen musicians help by the influx of Dutch nationals.
The band journeyed to Europe in 1954 as the Staff Band for the Canadian Brigade. They traveled considerably visiting a number of cities in the Netherlands and France. A notable occasion was the band’s participation in the ceremony of the 10th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings (1944) on Omaha Beach. During the period that the band was in Europe its strength increased noticeably. In August 1954 they returned to Canada and were stationed in Wolseley Barracks, London, Ontario.
A most interesting note is that most musicians employed in the Canadian Army bands were not Canadians. In England as far as 1850 and up until the creation of the Royal Military School of Music there was a lack of professionally trained musicians and bandmasters. This was the case in Canada until after World War Two when a few chosen musicians were sent to Kneller Hall for instrumental training or became qualified as bandmasters. Prior to this time it was necessary to obtain the services of professionally trained musicians outside the Dominion many coming from the United Kingdom. In the mid 1950’s however, many fine Dutch instrumentalists were attracted to Canadian Army Regimental and Corps Bands.
Upon the band’s return to the Home Station there is evidence of changing role concerning its employment. Commitments involving the Regiment are still being carried out as well as many local engagements, however, tasking were received involving traveling away from the local area and performing before very large audiences. In August 1955 the band was present at the Boy Scout World Jamboree held at Niagara-on-the-Lake. The same year the band was sent to Germany for the presentation of the new colours by HRH Prince Phillip and in 1956-57 Trooping of the Colours. Also this year the regimental slow march ‘Pro Patria’ composed by Band Sgt Claude Keast was played for the first time.
The band in 1958, now under Captain Purcell, carried out changing of the guard duties in Ottawa. As the duty band it also took part in the Guard of Honour for the visit of the President of the United States.
In 1959, the City of London made a presentation of a set of Fanfare Trumpets to the regiment to mark the 75th Anniversary. The trumpets were held at the Home Station [London] and used on ceremonial occasion. Additionally they took part in the visit of HM The Queen and Prince Phillip. This occasion marked the presentation of colours of the 1st and 3rd Battalions by the HRH Prince Phillip. An engagement in May 1959 saw the band travel to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to take part in their Centennial celebrations. An outstanding concert was performed for the residents of Pittsburgh and over two thousand people crowded into the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. The following programme was presented:
Fanfare For a Dignified Occasion Bliss
March Spirit of Pageantry Fletcher
Overture Orphans in the Underworld Offenbach
Selection The Works of Robert Farnon arr Duthoit
Suite Capricio Espanol Korsskoff
Fanfare For a Festive Occasion Benjamin
March Pittsburg Keast
Trumpet Solo Hejre Kati Jeno Hubay
Traditional Londonderry Air arr Walters
Descriptive Parade of the Tin Soldiers Jessel
Solo Track Three Simpson
Selection Vincent Youmans Fantasy arr Yoder
Finale Nightfall in Camp arr Pope
Regimental marches
During the 1960s several honors befell on the band. They were part of Guard of Honour for President Charles de Gaulle of France and HRH Prince Phillip. They also took part in the unveiling of the Canloan Memorial (Sussex Drive and Stanley Street) in Ottawa by Major General George P. Vanier DSO MC CD, Governor General of Canada. During August and September they assumed the duties of Changing of the Guard at Parliament Hill in Ottawa and took part in the festival occasion of the Paardeberg Ball for which the band provided a sixteen piece orchestra.
Other important events which they participated in were the convocation ceremonies at the University of Western Ontario and a series of concerts for London secondary schools. This concerts were organized by recruiting units and considered a vital importance in the recruiting of young people in to the forces. Other ceremonies included the Sunset Ceremony of Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario and the receiving of fanfare trumpets from the City of London in London during the Ontario Mayors and Reeves Convention.
During the most of the years between 1955 and 1961 the band’s strength was approximately 50 musicians. Since there were a number of retirement however, and no future plans for obtaining musicians from outside of Canada, the strength was reduced to forty-five.
The band had busy 1961 were they played numerous concerts throughout Canada. They had played thirty-four performances by August including a week in CFB Borden. They traveled to Ottawa for the reception of the President of Iceland and the farewell dinner for the Chief of the Defence Staff. The fanfare trumpets were used continuously even during the opening of a United Way Campaign and a luncheon for John Robarts, the Premier of Ontario.
At their home station, in 1962, they played for the visit of Prince Phillip,
the Trooping of the Colours and carried out ceremonial duties in Ottawa was
well. It also marked the return of the Band to Halifax after an absence of
four-seven years. Together with the Black Watch (RHR) Band (Gagetown) and the
Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band (Halifax) they paraded as a massed band
through the streets of Halifax. Later a the bands gave a Massed Band Concert at
Citadel Hill, a land mark of Halifax. At the start of the year the played for a
mess dinner of the Armoured-Infantry Conference at the Royal Canadian School of
Infantry in Camp Borden. Under the direction of Captain Purcell the band played Knightsbridge,
Tally Ho, Roses from the South, American Folk Rhapsody, Operatic Airs,
Londonderry Air, Ampartico Roca and My Fair Lady.
Captain Purcell retired in 1963 after serving with the band for ten years and a career of over thirty-five years in music both as player and leader. He went on to teach music in Essex and Windsor, Ontario.
Immediately a new Director of Music, Lieutenant Derek Stannard CD, LRAM ARCM ARCT was appointed. Stannard had served with the Irish Guards in England, the RCAF in Edmonton and the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). He had also been principal cornet with the famous Halle Orchestra under Sir John Borbiralli. He received training at Kneller Hall and was a member of the Queen’s Trumpeters and graduated at the top of the class winning six awards.
The following year became a banner year for the band. They were called upon to perform over 150 concerts and playing for nearly 75,000 high school students. They also highlighted the Canadian Bandmasters Annual Concert and received rave reviews. They spent ten days in Ottawa in connection with the presentation of Colours to the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards by Princess Alice Countess of Athlone. A band member wrote:
"We covered a Guard of Honour at the airport, cocktail parties, a
mess dinner, a ball, receptions and the actual rehearsals on Parliament Hill .
We used every conceivable type of combination from marching bands to a very
authentic gypsy group."
During this time period the band found itself in a unique position, being busy with many military duties. It still was able to maintain the good relations between the services and the civilian population by appearing for as many civilian organizations as duties would allow. Additionally Lieutenant Stannard was the Assistant Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and several band members performed with it. Other members of the band were involved in the many facets of entertainment field including dance, concert and chamber orchestra. They played for the de-commissioning of HMCS Haida when the ship was turned into a floating museum at Toronto. In an Indian Dushera helped to raise funds for the Mysore Project and shared honours with the famous Canadian comedians Wayne and Shuster. Later in 1964 they received a citation from the Minister of Education W. C. Davies. This was followed a year later with two from the City of London - one of Lieutenant Stannard and one for the Band.
In 1965 the band recorded their first long play record entitled ‘A Salute to the RCR’. They also made a special two week appearance at the Quebec Provincial Exposition in Quebec City. The Bandmaster’s commentary in French delighted the audiences. They also attended two convocations at the Waterloo Lutheran University in Waterloo, Ontario, the opening of the Skylon in Niagara Falls, played for the Guard of Honour for the Shah of Iran, took part in the presentation of colours by the Queen Mother to the Toronto Scottish Regiment, and were on duty in North Bay when the Algonquin Regiment received their new Guidon.
The 1965 instrumentation showed two flutes, one oboe, 1 e-flat clarinet, nine Bb clarinets, two saxs, 1 bass clarinet, two bassoons, three horns, eight trumpets, three trombones, 2 euphoniums, 1 cello, 1 string bass, three basses and three drums.
The following year they received a special invitation to perform in Washington DC. Gala concerts were given at the Pentagon, Andrews Air Force Base and the Canadian Embassy. The final concert of the visit was with the US Army Band "Pershing Own" under the command of Lt Col. Samuel Loboda. The music consisted of:
The United States Army Band
US National Anthem The Stars and Stripes Forever
March Moderne Ernest S. Williams
Overture Festival of the Infanta Gebhardt
America, the Beautiful arr C. Dragon
Czech Polka Johann Struss
Fanfare and Allegro Clifton Williams
Ballet for Young Americans
d. Old Comrades (Carl Teike)
The Band of the Royal Canadian Regiment
National Anthem O Canada
Overture Hampton Court Montague F. Phillips
Post Horn Gallop (Soloist Sgt Major G. Noakes) Koenig
Kerry Dancers arr D. Stannard
Quebec Folk Fantasy Howard Cable
Bugler’s Holiday (Trumpet Section) Leory Anderson
Variations on a Folk Song W. Schuman
Overture from ‘Gypsy’ Jule Styne
Regimental March of the Royal Canadian Regiment
God Save the Queen
Canada’s centennial year saw the band cross the country as part of the Canadian Armed Forces Tattoo. This trilling and colourful presentation of the Armed Forces was witnessed by millions of Canadians from coast to coast. The band also found time to fly up to the Yukon and help the territories celebrate their centennial with performances at Whitehorse, Dawson and Watson Lake.
With the disbandment of several bands in the 1968 the RCR Band were augmented to over six-five musicians. The same year they were represent Canada in the celebrations in Paris, France to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1918 Armistice. While there, they performed concerts through Belgium as well.
In Canada the Band presented a Pops Concert at the Centennial Hall in April. The concert was very appreciated by the people of London. The programme included:
Fanfare O Canada
Overture Festival of the Infanta Gebhardt
Harlem Nocturne Hagen
Sambra ‘Brizal’ arr Stannard
Post Horn Gallop Keonig
Kerry Dancers arr Stannard
Comedians Galop Kabalevsky
Variations on a Korean Folk Song Coward
Bugler’s Holiday Anderson
Cavalcade - A Medley of WW1 Tunes arr Chance
Colonel Bogey on Parade Alford
Selections - The Sound of Music Rogers and Hamerstein
Tijuana Brass Group Arr Arnold
Pan Piper for Narrator and Band Kleinsinger
Crown Imperial March Walton
Regimental Marches
Fanfare
God save the Queen
A year later the band went to Cyprus to entertain United Nations troops and played for the people of Cyprus. On completion of this tour Captain Stannard was posted the NORAD Band as the Assistant Director of Music. He was replaced by Captain John Collins, formerly Director of Music of the Cornwallis Band. He added a new concept to the band creating his ‘Show Time’ concert series. These began in Stratford, Ontario and were very popular.
In 1970 the band took part in a number of important parades. These included the Netherlands Liberation Ceremonies, Trooping of the Colour for the PPCLI and R22eR, Freedom of the City parades in Ypres (2 PPCLI), Werl (1 R22eR) and Iserlohn LDSH (RC)), the International Music Festival at Mons, 700th Anniversary – The City of Virton, 500th Anniversary – City of Ypres, and a Tattoo and Mess Dinner – Soest, Germany. This was only a fraction of the engagements. One engagement they performed with the River Valley Chorus (Mr. G. Graham conducting) and the 2 RCR Pipes and Drums under Pipe Major W. Gilmour was a gala concert in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The River Valley Chorus is well known musical group in the Fredericton area. They perform in the area for a variety of occasions and stage a yearly performance called Parade of Harmony. The concert consisted of:
O Canada
Overture The Music Makers
Music from Broadway Hello Dolly
Soloist Sgt Bill Hastings Danny Boy
Excerpts Night at the Ballet
River Valley Chorus
(Ashmolian Band Marching songs / I’ll Take You Home Kathleen/ Bill Grogan’s Goat)
The Four Squares Hard Hearted Hanna/Sugar Cane Jubilee
River Valley Chorus Eidelweiss / Doh Rah Me / Variations on a Kitchen Sink
Intermission
Fanfare Trumpeters Fanfare and Soliloquy
Jazz Suite
Off Beat
Blue Sax
March Paragon Square
Galop from Masquerade Suite
2 RCR Pipes and Drums
March Medley Slow and Quick marches
Tattoo Finale/ Regimental March
God Save the Queen
The following year the band made its first appearance at the Delft Tattoo in the Netherlands.
In 1973 they returned to Europe to play at the 30th Anniversary of the famous Canadian battle site of Dieppe. Afterwards they took part in the Remembrance Day Ceremonies at Vimy Ridge, France.
In 1976 they played for the Phase Three Infantry Officers Graduation Course in November. The music included:
March Fantanisie Colonel Bogey on Parade Alford
Broadway Show Hello Dolly Herman
Popular Begine with Beguine Porter
Fantasy Havah Nagilah arr Lang
Movie Theme Summer of ’42 Legrand
Medley World War II arr Pasmans
Tango Tango for Band Osser
National Air Waltzing Matilda arr Montminy
Movie Theme The Entertainer Joplin
Popular The Pinker Panther Mancini
Broadway Show Tunes Marching Up Broadway arr Lowden
Swing Promenade in Swingtime Holcombe
Toast God Save the Queen
The Fredericton Daily Gleaner editorialized the RCR bands contribution to the civilian and military community on February 25, 1977:
"Two years ago there was a great hue and cry when the minister of
national defence determined that the RCR band would cease to exist. At that time
every aspect of the local media came to the fore in defending and praising the
ambassadors of music from CFB Gagetown. As one commentator said, "nothing
short of cultural suicide." And, as everyone knows, the course of political
action took a turn in favour of the public and gave the band a new lease of
life.
In the days since those times of 1975, the RCR band has playing before
numerous audiences and receiving tributes due the professionals they are. Yet
little public recognition is accorded these musicians for whom many fought to
retain. The band, it would appear, is often taken for granted. This should not
be the case. Public apathy could well lead to another "decision" on
the part of the department of national defence. Those audiences which appreciate
the skill and achievement of Captain Collins’ men should give them full public
recognition.
This region has benefited from a resident military band. It is a vital
artery of communication with the public. A part of Canada's military forces is
music and it should not cease to represent those forces in all regions of the
nation, One of the most appreciated assemblies throughout the schools of the
Atlantic Provinces is a concert by the RCR band. This avenue alone generates
good will and respect for music. May this band remain among us to entertain and
to carry on the many traditions of the military."
In the July `1980 issue of the Daily Gleamer (place ????) gave this review of the RCR Band:
"People in this part of New Brunswick have long been proud of the
military band of the Royal Canadian Regiment, the pipes and drums of the RCR’s
Second Battalion and the officers and men of the unit. We saw them on parade
during the Trooping of the Colour ceremony and again during the Armed Forces
Day. They can match any unit anywhere in the world for precision and smartness.
They have just proven it again at the Military Tattoo in the Civic Centre
at Halifax.
The Tattoo featured the Stadacona Brass Band, the Royal Canadian Navy
Brass Band, the United States Marine Corps Marching band and an assortment of
other military units. The RCR complement held its own and, in fact, won the
respect of all who saw and heard it. When the brass and pipe bands marched, the
Halifax Civic Centre resounded with applause. Even a tear or two could be
detected.
It would be fitting for the politicians and bureaucrats of Ottawa to
witness such events as this Tattoo. Not only would gain a new perspective on the
urgent need of maintaining a strong military establishment but many of them
would be enlightened as to the strength of our heritage among the people of
Atlantic Canada."
In March of 1980 they played for the opening and closing ceremonies and throughout the Silver Broom Curling Championships in Fredericton, NB.
1981,1982,1983
In 1984 they were the duty band for the Royal Visit during 20-25 September.
The following year they were present in Holland for the 40th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland and also in Italy for ceremonies commemorating the Canadian arrival as liberators 1945-1985. Later in the year they took part in the Royal Canadian Navy Tattoo in the Maritimes.
1986,1987,1988,1989,1990,1991,1992
The band was named a Seventy-Fifth Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary international. In 1993 the band was the first organization to perform coast to coast on the CBC radio national hookup.
The final blow came on July 6, 1994 when notification came that that band was to cease operations and officially disband on August 1, 1994. In the August 1994 issue (#76) of the magazine Pro Patria a final tribute to the band was written for the band.
March Off The Regimental Band
The Band marched off the parade, replete in Regimental Scarlets, all eyes upon it. Not a sound could be heard, no jaunty tunes, not even a single drum beating out the cadence. It was symbolic departure and as the Band neared the edge of the Gagetown parade square the spectators felt the sadness of the occasion. They were witnessing the end of The Royal Canadian Regiment Band, the end to 89 years of musical excellence and the silencing of the oldest band in the Regular Force.
The demise of the Band came swiftly. In the Federal budget of 22 February, as a cost cutting measure, it was announced that The Royal Canadian Regimental Band, along with five other bands including the PPCLI and R22eR Bands, would be disbanded. What would remain is one band from each service and a Canadian Forces Band in Ottawa. The only Regular Army band left is the Royal Canadian Artillery Band based in Montreal. Militia bands were hit hard too, taking almost a 50 per cent cut.
The Band ceased to be operational on 6 July and its official date of disbandment was 1 August 1994.
Within the musician trade in the Regular Force almost half were released. Only 13 of the 38 members of The RCR Band remain with the Regular Force today.
It was a fact of life that in the last 30 odd years the almighty dollar seldom made it possible for the Band to join the Regiment on Regimental occasions. The Temporary Duty costs were prohibitive. In addition The RCR Band, like all Regular bands, was a Canadian Forces resource tasked and controlled by headquarters whose priorities for band taskings differed from those of the Regiments after whom the bands were named. There were some notable exceptions like the Trooping of the Colours during our Centennial and presentation of new Colours to 1 RCR in 1988. Despite this, and not always understood by those serving the battalions, The RCR Band did fulfill a valuable service for the Regiment. Where ever they performed they gave the Regiment publicity. They reached every corner of Canadian society from the most prominent to the most remote putting The Royal Canadian Regiment on centre stage. They were good ambassadors and we are diminished without them. They shall be missed.
The article which follows, written by T.V.O. Brian Coughlan of The RCR Band, appeared in a March 94 edition CFB Gagetown Gazette and constitutes the final contribution from our Regimental Band.
Farewell to The RCR Band
"Regimental Order #334 originating in Ottawa stated "The establishment of a Regimental Band of the RCR has been approved". This was the start of a long tradition of musical excellence by The Royal Canadian Regiment Band.
The role of The Royal Canadian Regiment Band today is to provide a complete musical service, for military, government or civilian functions as required. The Band must utilize its resources to the fullest to provide music for all the different types of engagements that they are called upon to perform for. The Band, which consists of a Director of Music, 7 clarinets, 2 flutes, 1 oboe, 1 bassoon, 4 saxophones, 5 trumpets, 3 french horns, 4 trombones, 1 euphonium, 2 tubas, 1 pianist and 3 percussionists, performs in a variety of different ensembles. These ensembles include; Concert Band/Parade Band (all 35 musicians); Indoor Parade Bands (15 musicians); Stage,(Dance/Jazz Band (18-20 musicians); Mess Dinner Bands (11 musicians); Cocktail Groups (3-5 musicians); Dance Bands (7 musicians); Fanfare Trumpets (8 musicians); Brass Quintets (5 musicians); and a Woodwind Quintet (5 musicians). A few of the engagements that the band is called upon to perform for are military parades, mess dinners, Guards of Honour, school concerts, benefit concerts, military tattoos, street parades. legislative ceremonies, and dances. The RCR Band performs approximately 200 of these engagements over the course of a year. These numbers do not include all the rehearsals required for each engagement as well as travel required for each job.
The RCR Band has a vast repertoire of music to draw upon. The band's library has over 2,600 arrangements for the concert band, including a comprehensive library of
marches, a large selection of stage/dance band music and arrangements for other smaller ensembles. If the music is not available there are people in the band that can write and arrange music for any ensemble.
Ever since The RCR Band's inception, the band has performed for a wide variety of high profile performances like performing at the Canadian National Exhibition in 1908-09. In 1933 the Band was the first musical organization to perform coast to coast on the CBC radio national hookup. The Band went on a two month tour of Korea in 1953 that included 100 concerts for the Canadian and American s