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![]() From the time of Butler's Rangers, music has been part of the fabric of the Regiment. Like their British regular counterparts, the Rangers carried a Drummer and a Fifer on strength of each company. The nature of duty of the Rangers probably precluded the musicians employment as such, other than in garrison, but while on campaign they undertook some hazardous duties. Historical records note that when a flag of truce was sent forward to the enemy it was often accompanied by a Drummer or Fifer. An instrument inspection return, dated 1827, documents the existence of a band in the 3rd Regiment, Lincoln Militia, and notes that the drums and fifes had been augmented by a triangle, owned privately by one of the soldiers.
Early photographs of both the 19th and 44th Battalions in the 1800s, trace the strength and diversity of instruments of the respective bands and their participation in all major activities of the two units. The Band of the 19th "Lincoln" Battalion began community concerts in Montebello Park, St. Catharines, before 1890, a tradition which continues uninterrupted to this day.
In February, 1906, the 19th St. Catharines Regiment formed a Bugle Band and there was a similar band in the 44th by 1910. The 98th and 176th Battalions, CEF, had both brass and bugle bands. The Brass Band of the 98th outlived its battalion by several years, performing in concerts until at least 1923. By 1923, the 19th Lincoln Regiment had three bands - brass, bugle and bagpipes.
During World War II, the Pipe Band, the Bugle Band and the Brass Band accompanied the 1st Battalion to the West Coast and to Newfoundland but apparently did not go overseas. In August, 1945, while the 1st Battalion was waiting repatriation in Holland, a bugle band was formed. On the 1st Battalion's return in 1946, the Brass Band of the 2nd Battalion led their triumphant march through the City of St. Catharines. In 1949, the Regiment was on parade for Remembrance Day in Port Colborne with two bands. Sometime in the early 1950s, the Regimental Association and the Band began attending the Warriors' Day Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition, a practice which continued until the 1980s. Both the Association and Band received many awards for their participation.
The Regimental Band has struck up a close relationship with the Band of The Bermuda Regiment and there have been a number of exchanges between the two. In addition, the Band has undertaken a number of trips with the Association to Europe, especially Holland. The Band often participates in military and civilian parades throughout Canada and the United States each year. Presently, the Band is organized to perform as a marching band, a concert band or a dance band. In 1994, the Band was reduced to voluntary status as part of an overall reduction in Canadian Forces bands. Only a few musicians, such as the Director of Music and Bandmaster, are allowed to be paid, on-strength members of the Regiment. The remainder of the Band are volunteers. The Band carries on each year, however, with a full schedule of performances that continue to delight audiences throughout Niagara and around the globe. ![]() This is not an official project of the Canadian Armed Forces or the Department of National Defence. Address any questions about this page or the Regiment to Major A.D. Woolley at awoolley@iaw.on.ca |