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The Town of Cobourg has had a long tradition of military bands
dating back to the 19th century. The
origin of its present band can be traced back to 1842 when the
Cobourg Brass Band made its debut.
It became associated with the military in 1862 and also became
known as The Band of the 6th Northumberland Militia. In the late 1800's, when it added woodwinds,
it became known solely as the Cobourg Citizens Band. In 1898, the band was taken over by the military
and renamed the 40th Battalion Artillery Band. However, in 1905 the name The Cobourg Citizens
Band was re-instituted. In
1920, as a result of a leadership disagreement, an offshoot band was
formed, The Cobourg Concert Band.
A year later the disagreement was resolved and the two bands
reunited under the name The Concert Band of Cobourg (Kilties),
adopting the highland dress for its uniform.
The Cobourg Concert Band (Kilties), eventually better
known as the Cobourg Kiltie Band, was an important cultural
part of Cobourg’s heritage for many years, yet by the late 1960's
interest waned and the band became inactive.
In 1970 the band was revived with the
appointment of Mr. Roland G. White as the Director of Music. Drawing on his extensive experience with The
Royal Marines Band Service in Britain, Mr. White set a new direction for the
band. Under his leadership the name was changed to The Concert Band of
Cobourg and he began moulding the band in the style of Royal Marines
bands. The kilted form of dress was
abandoned with the uniform eventually evolving into that seen today. In 1975, the band accepted the invitation
to represent the Royal Marines Association of Ontario and donned the
distinctive white pith helmets for parades and tattoos. With the approval of the Town of Cobourg and the Royal Marines School of Music
in the U.K., the band was honoured to add the
distinction of The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Association, Ontario to its name. Mr. White retired in 2000 with the title Director
of Music Emeritus, after 30 years of dedicated service.
As a result of
Mr. White’s efforts, and the ensuing leadership of Mr. Paul Storms, The
Concert Band of Cobourg is one of the most sought after bands for parades
and military tattoos throughout Ontario and beyond. The band also has a fine reputation in the
formal concert setting, playing in many locales including its own Summer
Concert Series every Tuesday evening in the months of July and
August at the bandshell of Cobourg’s Victoria Park.
Based on information provided by Band Historian: Bob Irvine
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