Sarnia Citizens Band

In 1935, the Sarnia's 27th regiment was disbanded, and the Sarnia group that used to be called the Independent Band was renamed the Sarnia Citizens Band. They continued to play music for the Sarnia community and beyond. That included open air summer church services, joining other bands like the Salvation Army Band, Robinson's Boys Band, and Pressey Boys Band. The Sarnia Observer noted that the annual tattoos (which the band organized and participated in) at Athletic Park "never fail to draw a capacity audience". William Brush continued as bandmaster. He was also involved in directing the orchestra and band at the Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School (SCITS) and the Royal Canadian Air Force Cadets Band in Sarnia. And he was the first president of the Lambton County Music Festival. He was a charter member of the Canadian Bandmasters Association. He was bandmaster of the Sarnia concert band for 46 years!

In the second world war, the Sarnia Citizens Band became identified with the reserve army in Sarnia, and the band became known as the Lambton Garrison Band.

See the Sarnia Observer, February 27, 1951, and December 30, 1954.

The Sarnia Citizens Band played every Tuesday evening in the summer at the Victoria Park bandshell in Sarnia. Bob Nelson played cornet in the band, under the direction of Bill Brush. He says that people came early to set up their lawn chairs. People also came by to listen from their cars, so the streets were packed with vehicles. This bandshell became too rickety and rundown over the years, so it was torn down and concerts moved to the Canatara Park bandshell. That bandshell was built to honour William Brush (see the Sarnia Observer, August 11, 1978). A plaque is placed on the front of the bandshell about this, and it is visible to this day.

Bob Nelson reports that the band uniform was like a military uniform. The band travelled to tattoos around the county and held concerts in Sarnia. Bob Nelson remembers William Brush as calm, collected, respected, and very nice man.

William Brush passed away in 1954. Bob Nelson says that Bob Shannon took over the SCITS band then. The Sarnia Observer of August 25, 1956, reported on the new leadership of John Gilbert for the Sarnia Citizens Band. He took over from Percie Cox. Mr. Gilbert also moved to Sarnia to take over the full time teaching job of musical director at SCITS. David Clothier took over from John Gilbert in 1963. With his appointment, band rehearsals began at SCITS and a junior band was established.

The Sarnia Citizens Band was featured in the March 26, 1966, Sarnia Observer, for their April 3 "Spring Festival" concert at the SCITS auditorium, under the direction of Willy Timmermans. The Barbershoppers Chorus of Sarnia were a guest musical group. The band rehearsed at SCITS. The Observer reported that the band was composed of eleven industrial plant workers, eighteen students, two railwaymen, two business owners, a nurse, an accountant, a newspaper publisher, a teacher, an electrican, a postoffice worker, a salesman, a draughtsman, and two retired executives. Members in the band included Max Friedman and his two sons, Bill Manser and his daughter, Clifton Ferguson, Cathy Harris, and Sidney Reed (a trumpet player in the band for fifty years).

In the late 1970's, Art Christmas, the music director at Alexander MacKenzie school, became the director of the Sarnia Citizens Band. By this time, the Sarnia Citizens Band was playing summer concerts, at city and local functions, and at special ceremonies, like Canada Day and Remembrance Day.

Jim Belrose played trumpet in the Sarnia Citizens Band when Art Christmas was the conductor (the late 1970's). Jim reports that the uniform at the time was dress pants, a jacket, and a tie for men, and skirts for women. He says there were four concerts each year.

See Sarnia Observer August 27, 1963.