1903-1906: Band History

Band History 1903 - 1906

I told you last newsletter that I will tell you what happened between 1903 and 1906 and that is coming. Gord Cupskey has given me history on the Burchill family, all pertaining to our band. He requested that it be put in the "did you know"
section, so here it is as written by Gord.

The GALT KILTIE BAND is still around today, not only because of it's fine musicians, but also because of their great heritage. With heritage comes the Burchill family with over 125 years of combined continuous involvement with the band.

In 1928 at the age of 12, Stanley, along with his 17 year old brother Bob joined the KILTIES. Bob played bass for 15 years while Stanley played trumpet and later on Mellaphone and french horn for 50 years until his retirement. In 1936, their brother Joe also joined the band as a 15 year old trumpeter. Joe went on to become one of the best solo trumpet player this area has ever heard. He was with the band for 30 years. Their father George, who after many years with the H.L.I. band joined the KILTIES in 1944 and played for 7 years with his three sons.

In 1978 after leaving the Cambridge Concert Band Stanley's daughter, Evelyn joined the band with her father as a baritone player. The next family member to join was Evelyn's son Gord, who, at the age of 11 became the youngest member ever to join the KILTIES. Gord is now into his 18th. year with the band. Besides his immediate family Gord's stepfather Lloyd Noseworthy, along with his wife Evelyn played baritone. Lloyd was also our very proud mace carrier for a good many years until his sudden death in 1987. Evelyn's daughter, Kendra also spent a few years in the band during her high school days as a clarinet player.

Gord can hardly wait until his son Douglas is old enough to start playing the trumpet just like his dad and join up with the one time "world famous" KILTIES as a fifth generation "Burchill"/

The Kilties 1903 - 1906

The band made splendid progress during the winter and spring and began purchasing additional instruments. At that time a mellophone cost $40.50, double b flat bass $90.00 and the band ran up a bill of over $800.00. Band canvassers went out and collected donations -- Goldie & McCulloch $44.00, McGregor Gourlay $27.00, Cowan & Co. $17.00, A. Newlands $25.00 and Miss Wilks $25.00 just to mention a few. During the winter of 1903/04 the band played six nights at the rink
to pay for one trombone!!

Twenty-eight new uniforms were purchased for total sum of $387.40 and were worn for the first time on May 24th.1904. With a new look and new instruments the band secured many out of town engagements and at the end of the year had $780.00 to the good. In July 1904 the council granted the use of the market building for a practice hall but in the fall and winter it was just too cold and the Council chambers were granted for this time of year -- very inconvenient as many
meetings were held there.

In the spring of 1905 the rear of the Royal Bank was secured and the band had to pay rent for the first time. In July of that year they held their first military tattoo and
made a net profit of $404.73.

Early in 1906 it was decided to obtain the Highland dress and after receiving quotes and samples an order was placed with Fraser Ross & Co. in Glasgow, Scotland. The uniforms were to be worn for the first time on May 24th. and with the assistance of Mr.J.F. Frayer the Don Exp. Landed the uniforms in Galt on May 23rd. or they would not have been here on time. These uniforms were the finest in Canada at that time.

Again they held a tattoo made up of Highland Bands and soldiers. The band that year made $311.80. The town grant
of $300.00 which started in 1904 was increased to $400.00. So ends the history of the KILTIES until they got their 1895 Black Watch Highland dress. Hope you have enjoyed.

Sources:

Galt Kiltie Band Newsletter: Issue #12, spring 1996, written by Bob Fox

Retyped and posted to the web by band member, Graham Nasby, in 1999.

Reformated for new website on April 3, 2005.