Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Band. One of Canada's oldest and most famous volunteer militia bands, formed in Toronto in 1862 under the direction of Adam Maul, an Englishman who had served in the imperial army. Its early directors included William Carey 1875-9 and
John Bayley 1879-1901. Under Bayley's leadership the band quickly gained international recognition. The young Herbert L.
Clarke was a cornet soloist 1886-ca 1891. The 'Rifles' toured Canada from east to west and, as Alfred
Zealley remarked, 'charmed their way through most of the United States' (
Famous Bands of the British Empire, London 1926). In 1910 the band made a triumphal tour of England under the direction of G.L. Timpson. Captain Richard B.
Hayward served as its director 1921-8. In 1922 and 1923 the band won the First Class 'A' band contest at the
CNE in Toronto. During that time it also assisted the 2300-voice
Canadian National Exhibition Chorus in performances at the Coliseum. In 1928 Hayward was succeeded by Capt James J. Buckle; during World War II Buckle maintained a highly efficient band which performed for numerous parades and in concert. After the war Capt William T. Atkins was appointed director. Serving 1947-68, he organized the band into a first-class musical ensemble which performed often at the Royal Winter Fair and for hockey nights at
Maple Leaf Gardens, appeared at many other fairs, and gave park concerts. Directors who followed Atkins were Capt Jack Long 1968-71, Capt John O'Brien 1971-6, Capt George Gresham 1976-84, Capt S.J. Irwin 1984-7, and Lieut D.R. Ringler 1987-90. In 1990 Capt Irwin began a second term as director. During the 1980s and early 1990s the band, with an increasing number of women members, was one of the more active in the Toronto Garrison, continuing, among other activities, to perform in parks (though less frequently) and at the CNE and Ontario Place, often playing at mess functions of the regular force staff college and taking part with other bands from time to time in military music extravaganzas.
Author
Jack Kopstein
Discography
The Band and Bugles of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. O'Brien conductor. Nd. Private recording
Bibliography
Holmes, E.W. 'Meet the new director of music, Lt Denny Ringler,' The Rifleman, vol 4, no. 1, 1987
Links to Other Sites
Canadian Band Association
The Canadian Band Association website features links to bands across Canada, events, and related resources.
Sheet music from Canada's past
A very extensive collection of digitalized copies of sheet music published before Confederation and during the First World War. Includes patriotic and parlour songs, piano pieces, sacred music, novelty numbers, and more. Also, check out the sheet music covers that appear in the Gallery section. From Library and Archives Canada.
Regimental & Branch Marches
A varied collection of audio clips of authorized Canadian military marches. Also describes policies governing the authorization of band marches.
