NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY
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The development of band music in Orillia began around the time the town was coming into its own, being incorporated into a village in 1867.
Since then, music has been a significant component of the cultural life in Orillia. From the Orillia Citizens Band to today, performances by the Orillia Concert Band, Salvation Army and Orillia Silver Band, have contributed to a sense of community. They have provided us musical enjoyment at civic gatherings, festivals, and holiday celebrations.
In the late 1800s, it was common to gather at Orillia’s Civic Park (now Couchiching Beach Park) and listen to the Orillia Citizens Band, where hundreds of people would show up to watch the performance.
As early as 1867, a Grand Promenade Concert was presented to celebrate the opening of the Drill Shed, held on the former grounds of the Armoury, more recently known as the Oval. The Band of the 10th Royals from Toronto was engaged to assist with the music. As reported in The Expositor on Oct. 4, 1867, “the concert passed off to the satisfaction of all concerned.”
OMAH History Committee Chair Trish Crowe-Grande and guest contributor Cliff Whitfield have researched the history of Orillia’s most prominent bands and they would like to share what they have learned with you.
Over the next few months, the OMAH History Committee will share articles on some of Orillia’s most prominent bands over the years, written and researched by Crowe-Grande and Whitfield. Learn the history of the bands, what spurred the construction of the Bandstand that is still standing in Couchiching Park today and much more.
Click here to start the series with the History of the Orillia Citizens Band.
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