THE OFFICIAL SHOWBAND OF THE B.C. LION’S FC FROM (1958-1986)
1970
1970
The band has presented concerts at three World Fairs in North America – New York, Seattle and Montreal. It has also performed at four Canadian Football League playoff bowls.
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The San Francisco Trip CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES MAJORETTES
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SAN FRANCISCO
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THE MAJORETTES If you are an active, sports-minded girl between the ages of 12 and 16 who would like to perform at BC Lions games, parades and travel, that’s all you need to become a full-fledged member of the new BC Lions Jesters Majorette Corps. Girls joining may qualify for next summer’s cross Canada tour with the famous Beefeater Band. This new group being organized will also have the opportunity to travel to Hawaii in 1973 with the band. In 1969, the Jesters majorettes were a smash hit, appearing with the Beefeater Band at the Edinburgh tattoo. Their Scottish press notices heralded them as “these talented and vivacious young girls from Canada.” No previous experience in baton twirling is necessary. Girls are trained in marching, strutting and baton techniques. Also some basic dancing.
1970
band on television seen by 40Sun million people in San Francisco. TheThe above is appeared a recruitment photo putand in were the Vancouver inviting youngsters interested in laearning a music instrument. It Franciso San looks like they were all available when this one ran. August 6th
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1970 LEFT: Coffee break leaves Empire Stadium field dotted with trombones, trumpets, tubas and drums after lengthy practice session Monday for BC Beefeaters band. Junior musicians are perfecting form for performance at Lions-Roughriders game in Vancouver tonight (Tuesday July 28). Bandsmen are invited to San Francisco for half-time program at football game Aug. 6. they took top musical award at Seattle Seafair on weekend.
LEFT: Mirrored Fanfare heralds what young musicians of BC Beefeater band hope will be another resoundingly successful year in their music-making careers. Here they are reflected in pond in Queen Elizabeth Park. Rave reviews accompanied tour they made to Britain and Europe last year.
1970
Young bandsmen are invited to San Francisco for half-time program at football game Aug. 6. they took top musical award at Seattle Seafair on weekend.
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AT HOME!
ABOVE: Monday, July 27, 1970 Practice makes perfect for the Beefeaters Rehearsing in the rain, the BC Beefeater Band practices Sunday for the football game Tuesday between the BC Lions and the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Empire Stadium. The Beefeaters are the official band of the Lions and play at all home games.
RIGHT: MAJORETTE CORPS The jesters seek talent (Carol Grassi) If you are an active, sports-minded girl between the ages of 12 and 16 who would like to perform at BC Lions games, parades and travel, that’s all you need to become a full-fledged member of the new BC Lions Jesters Majorette Corps. Girls joining may qualify for next summer’s cross Canada tour with the famous Beefeater Band. This new group being organized will also have the opportunity to travel to Hawaii in 1973 with the band. In 1969, the Jesters majorettes were a smash hit, appearing with the Beefeater Band at the Edinburgh tattoo. Their Scottish press notices heralded them as “these talented and vivacious young girls from Canada.” No previous experience in baton twirling is necessary. Girls are trained in marching, strutting and baton techniques. Also some basic dancing.
If you are an active, sports-minded girl between the ages of 12 and 16 who would like to perform at BC Lions games, parades and travel, that’s all you need to become a full-fledged member of the new BC Lions Jesters Majorette Corps.
1970
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1970 Dear Band Parents: As a member of the maarching Band, your boy or girl is eligible to participate in the forthcoming California performances. We are honoured to have been selected by the British Columbia Government to perform in San Francisco and Oakland, California. Our band shows will be seen by many thousands of people, and through television watched by upwards of 40 million people. This will be an enjoyable trip for the band members; aside from the performances, there will be sightseeing trips to the places of interest in and around San Francisco. We will be staying at the Maurice Hotel which is only walking distance from Union Square, and we will fly to California via Western Airlines.
LEFT: The six piece Harold Trumpet line-up was a pre-performance to open the band’s show at Oakland (Coliseum) Stadium for an Oakland Raiders NFL game. The Raiders were in first place in the AFC West, so the crowd was big. John Madden was coach. The stadium is about the size of BC Place, but after playing all those years at Empire Stadium it seemed so vast. I still remember the feeling of having to fill that huge cavern with sound. Keith Woodward
1970
The band has presented concerts at three World Fairs in North America – New York, Seattle and Montreal. It has also performed at four Canadian Football League playoff bowls.
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SAN FRANCISCO Each person will be charged $55.00. This sum will be the student’s payment toward flight costs. local transportation, housing and meals. The full cost is, of course, considerably higher, and contributions by the Government and our Football Club will make up this balance. I want to impress on all band members the necessity of 100% co-operation as far as practicing, attendance and deportment are concerned. As representatives of British Columbia, we want to convey to all that the Beefeater Band and majorette Corps is an organization outstanding in music, spirit, and conduct. Gordon Olson Band Director
they were there for several years and then came to the West Coast. It would’ve been in the twenties. Interviewer: Yeah, he was born in 1919. So, it would’ve been sometime in the twenties. Ken: I don’t think it was quite Depression at that point. Interviewer: No, 1928 was the Depression. Ken: So once the Depression basically impacted everybody, then, if you had some skills and you could get any sort of a business. Interviewer: So he could play a musical instrument.
Waiting for bandsmen Jester Carol Grassi and saxophonist Bob Payne show there are instruments in the Vancouver Junior Band - the Beefeaters - that still need players. There are openings for youngsters from 12 to 17 in the band and for girls 12 to 16 in the majorettes, The Jesters.
Ken: He could play a musical instrument and knew how to organize a little bit so he could get a band going for example. Interviewer: Did he start going around to schools or do you know anything about how he organized his elementary school bands? Ken: That I would not. Interviewer: Delamont went around to the schools knocking on doors. Developing feeder schools for his bigger band. Your grandfather, he was probably doing the same thing. But did he have a big band, Continued on page 114
Our grandfather Joseph Olson came from Norway to Montreal and then to Vancouver arriving here in 1928.
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1971
1971
Conductor Gordon Olson directs the colorful British Columbia Beefeater Band on the steps of the Legislature Building Wednesday in one of several performances in Manitoba this week.
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Mid -Western Canada & US Tour CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES MID-WESTERN (CANADA & USA)
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MID - WESTERN TOUR On June 30, 1971 the Beefeater Band departed on a four-week tour of Canadian and Midwestern U.S. towns. Their itinerary was a busy one: Kelowna July 1, Grand Forks July 2, Creston July 3, Fernie July 4, Calgary July 5, 6, and 7, Swift Current, Saskatchewan July 8 and 9, Moose Jaw on July 10, Portage La Prairie on July 12 and 13, Winnipeg, July 14 and 15, Minneapolis July 16 through 21, Chicago, July 22 and 23, La Porte City, Iowa, July 24, Watertown, South Dakota, July 25 and 26, Glendive, Montana July 27 and 28, Helena, Montana July 29, 30 and 31, August 1, Kalispell, Montana, August 3, Wenatchee, Washington returning on August 3 at 3:30 in the evening.
The band, accompanied by the Jesters Majorettes Corps are to appear at Assiniboine Park at 7:30 today. Performances were held Monday and Tuesday in Portage la Prairie.
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1971
Beefeater Band visits Winnipeg (July 1971) ABOVE: Conductor Gordon Olson directs the colorful British Columbia Beefeater Band on the steps of the Legislature Building Wednesday in one of several performances in Manitoba this week. The band, accompanied by the Jesters Majorettes Corps are to appear at Assiniboine Park at 7:30 today. Performances were held Monday and Tuesday in Portage la Prairie.
like a Kits boys’ band or something like that he was feeding into. He was just more or less probably doing music lessons for the kids. Ken: Music lessons and band. When you look at the old pictures, there’s probably about 30, 35 people in the band. Interviewer: It wasn’t organized in the sense that they were on Thursday nights coming to play in a big one. Larry: Well, it must have been. Ken: No I think it was, and all his kids were playing in the band. Interviewer: Okay. So, what was the big band called? Larry: Was it the Vancouver Junior Band Joss’s before it was Gordon’s? Ken: It was actually. And then there’s also pictures. Interviewer:So is it a pre-runner to your dad’s band at Vancouver College? Oh no. Vancouver Junior Band. Larry: Correct. Yes. Okay. It was originally Joss’ Interviewer: Was what? Larry: Grandfather Joss. Joseph. Continued on page 115
1971
Joseph Olson Joss started the Vancouver Junior Band
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On June 30, 1971 the Beefeater Band departed on a four-week tour of Canadian and Midwestern U.S. towns. Their itinerary was a busy one: Kelowna July 1, Grand Forks July 2, Creston July 3, Fernie July 4, Calgary July 5, 6, and 7, Swift Current, Saskatchewan July 8 and 9, Moose Jaw on July 10, Portage La Prairie on July 12 and 13, Winnipeg, July 14 and 15, Minneapolis July 16 through 21, Chicago, July 22 and 23, La Porte City, Iowa, July 24, Watertown, South Dakota, July 25 and 26, Glendive, Montana July 27 and 28, Helena, Montana July 29, 30 and 31, August 1, Kalispell, Montana, August 3, Wenatchee, Washington returning on August 3 at 3:30 in the evening.
MIDWEST TOUR Bruce Harris My Band Years (continued) 1971 Midwestern Canada and U.S. Tour – On the bus listening to Merle Haggard “Okie from Muskogee” over and over again by our bus driver. – Also seem to recall the same with Paul McCartney and “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”. – Buses on the tour were segregated. I had to write letters or notes to my then girlfriend and pass them over when we stopped for lunch or a practice. On this tour Mr. Olson added a song where the featured instrument was a trombone. Being the section leader at the time I was the featured performer. We practiced and practiced the song as there were some very
challenging parts to it. Towards the end of the song there was a riff that was extremely difficult and ended on a high note. The first time we played it I hit the note. The second time we played it I missed the note and that was the end of the song for the rest of the tour. When Mr. Olson announced the song I would make my way to the front of the band. I don’t remember the original name but he had decided to rename it and announced it as “Blues Sophisticate”. Frank Costanzo, a clarinetist sitting close by me in the first row whispered with a big grin on his face “Blues Sophisticate???” I remember it cracked me up because I was so nervous. Highlights of the U.S. tour were the Minneapolis Aquatennial, the Wisconsin Spectacle of Music and the Chicagoland Summer Festival of Bands. The trip only cost each band
member $200 or $350 for two if they were in the same family. Interviewer: Oh, Joseph, okay. Larry: Grandfather. Yeah. Interviewer: Oh, the originator of the Vancouver Junior Band. Larry: Yes. That’s my understanding. I think some of the pictures that we sent you today bear that out. Interviewer: That makes sense. And that would, that would indicate why your dad started there too. He sort-of took over from his dad when the time came. And he had his rehearsals at the college. Larry: I don’t know where the rehearsals were in those days. They did use the Arcadian Hall down on Main Street. Interviewer: I don’t know the history of Continued on page 171
BELOW: Prince Philip stops to chat with a surprised band member as he and the Queen arrive at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.
The Queen and Prince Philip visited Vancouver in May of 1971 on one of their scheduled visits. The band can be seen above in the Pacific Coliseum at a receprion along with several other bands.
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1972-73
1972
Jamie Croill was 14 years old when I auditioned for the Beefeaters in 1970. My first trip was to the Calgary Stampede in 1972 where we played in the Stampede parade.
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The Calgary Stampede Parade CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES
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CALGARY STAMPEDE
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THE CALGARY STAMPEDE The Beefeaters, a junior brass band from Vancouver, marched off with the top awards Monday in the Calgary Stampede parade. They were judged the best over-all band, the best Canadian band and the best Canadian brass band. The band was in Calgary in the summer of 1972 for one week as guests of the Calgary Stampede. The were able to visit all the highlights of the city as well. As part of their engagement they played a series of concerts for pre Stampede Grandstand entertainment and in-city concerts. A big part of their week in calgary were the two major parades which attracted outstanding bands from Canada and the USA.
Enroute they played concerts in Kelowna, Vernon and/or Revelstoke. The band was away from July 4 through 12 and stayed at Kanaski Hall.
1972
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1972 LEFT: Gloria Grassi Luek, Marnie Jewell and ??
Braving the Showers are the Colorful Beefeater Band The Beefeaters, a junior brass band from Vancouver, marched off with the top awards Monday in the Calgary Stampede parade. They were judged the best over-all band, the best Canadian band and the best Canadian brass band.
in-city concerts. A big part of their week in calgary were the two major parades which attracted outstanding bands from Canada and the USA. Enroute they played concerts in Kelowna, Vernon and/or Revelstoke. The band was away from July 4 through 12 and stayed at Kanaski Hall.
The band was in Calgary in the summer of 1972 for one week as guests of the Calgary Stampede. The were able to visit all the highlights of the city as well. As part of their engagement they played a series of concerts for pre Stampede Grandstand entertainment and
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The Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation of British Columbia presents SCHMOCKEY ‘73
CALGARY STAMPEDE
Schmockey ‘73 included Toni Sinclair, Barry & Louise Soper, Schurr & Yano, a Lions vs the Eskimos Broomball Game, the Dal Richards Orchestra, Karen Magnussen, Marty Gillan and Rich Little. Half time entertainment was provided by the Beefeater Band and the White Spot Jr. Pipe Bands.
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1972
ABOVE: Gloria Grassi with the T. Eaton Co. Ltd. trophy as best Canadian band. TOP: Dave Onions, Keith Woodward, Nancy Bryson and Enzo Grassi (Gloria’s dad) TOP RIGHT: Bruce Harris RIGHT: Enzio Gassi with Sousophone who accompanied the band as a chaperone.
1972
Jamie Croil I was 14 years old when I auditioned for the Beefeaters in 1970. My first trip was to the Calgary Stampede in 1972 where we played in the Stampede parade. We had a very competitive band that year and took the top 5 prizes out of 6 that were awarded.
300,000 onlookers line parade route The Diamond Jubilee edition of the Calgary Stampede parade, which drew onlookers estimated in excess of 300,000 persons, was “just great” in the eyes of general chairman Len Holman. His reaction was supported by former chairman Stuart Barker, now a Stampede director, who called it “magnificent.”
The Diamond Jubilee edition of the Calgary Stampede parade, which drew onlookers estimated in excess of 300,000 persons, was “just great” in the eyes of general chairman Len Holman.
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CALGARY STAMPEDE
The Vancouver Beefeater Band took top prize money of $1500 as the best band in three categories: They received $750 and the T. Eaton Co. (Canada) Ltd. trophy as best Canadian band, $500 as best overall band, and another $250 as the best Canadian brass band in the parade.
The Vancouver Beefeater Band took top prize money of $1500 as the best band in three categories.
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1974 The band played Klondike Days in Edmonton for the first time in 1974 and then traveled to the Spokane World’s Fair. They came in 2nd in the Edmonton Klondike Days Parade. The winning band was the Cavaliers Youth Band from Whittier, California. K-Days, formerly known as Klondike Days and Edmonton’s Capital Ex, is an annual 10-day exhibition held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, usually near the end of July. In recent years it has attracted between 700,000 and 800,000 visitors each year. It runs in conjunction with A Taste of Edmonton and – from 2006 through 2012 – the Edmonton Indy. The exhibition is held at Northlands (formerly Northlands Park), south of Northlands Coliseum.
1974
From 1964 until 2006 the Edmonton Exhibition was called Klondike Days in celebration of the Klondike Gold Rush. The gold rush had taken place several hundreds of miles to the northwest. Edmonton was a stopping point for prospectors headed to the Yukon Territory on the “all-Canadian overland route”.
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EDMONTON/SPOKANE Expo ‘74 was the first environmentally themed world’s fair. It was held in Spokane, Washington, United States and ran from 4 May to 3 November 1974. The heart of the fair park grounds was located on Canada Island, Havermale Island, and the adjacent south bank of the Spokane River in the center of the city. With the exception of two pavilions, all of the major buildings were modular structures assembled on the site. The fair had 5.2 million visitors and was considered a success, nearly breaking even, revitalizing the blighted urban core, and pumping an estimated $150 million into the local economy and surrounding region.
Spokane was the smallest city to host a world’s fair recognized by the Bureau International des Expositions until Knoxville, Tennessee held the 1982 World’s Fair eight years later.
1974
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1975-76
1975
In London they stayed at the Atlantic Hotel. Their London itinerary included all the sites, the West End, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and Picadilly Circus.
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The Edinburgh Military Tattoo CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES EDINBURGH
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EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO On Sunday August 3rd, 1975 the Vancouver Beefeater band boarded Wardair Flight #402 at Vancouver International Airport at 6:20 p.m. for bound London’s Gatwick Airport. They would be in the old country until September 14. After a few days of sight seeing in in and around London, the band was off by motor coach for Edinburgh, Scotland where they would full fill another engagement at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo from August 9 through September 14. More than 200,000 spectators will walk up the historic Royal Mile to see this year’s spectacular, which will cost an estimated 270,000 pounds. And that does not take into account of the millions who will watch the televised performance in Britain, Europe, Canada and Australia.
The next day the band was off by coach to Stratford, Blenheim Palace and Oxford. And the next day they visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Bank of England, Mansion House, The Stock Exchange and the Tower of London.
1975
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1975 On Sunday August 3rd, 1975 the Vancouver Beefeater band boarded Wardair Flight #402 at Vancouver International Airport at 6:20 p.m. for bound London’s Gatwick Airport. They would be in the old country until September 14. After a few days of sight seeing in in and around London, the band was off by motor coach for Edinburgh, Scotland where they would full fill another engagement at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo from August 9 through September 14.
1975
Musicians, drummers and a castle stage .... the recipe for a scene that stirs hundreds of thousands of hearts from all over the world each year. For a quarter century, Scots visitors and foreign tourists alike have applauded the splendour and pageantry of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
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EDINBURGH TOUR
Day 1 - 4th August Arrival, Day 2- 5th August sightseeing tour, Day 3 - 6th August Stratford upon Avon, Day 4 -7th August tour of London, Day 5 - travel to York, Day 6 - travel to Edinburgh
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1975 In London they stayed at the Atlantic Hotel. Their London itinerary included all the sites, the West End, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park and Picadilly Circus. The next day the band was off by coach to Stratford, Blenheim Palace and Oxford. And the next day they visited St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Bank of England, Mansion House, The Stock Exchange and the Tower of London. The fol
BELOW: The Chaperones Mr. & Mrs. Anderson, Vi & Dave Alexander, Greta and Lance Jewall
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lowing day would see them visit the cathedral city of York. The following day would see them travelling on to their appointment in Edinburgh. In Edinburgh they stayed at Pollock Hall at the University of Edinburgh.
ABOVE: Nancy Alexander, Connie Demchuk, Gloria Grassi, Karen Alexander, Cindy Arsenault
EDINBURGH TOUR
Welcome return visitors to the Tattoo are The British Columbia Beefeater Band from Vancouver, British Columbia, whose ages range from 14 to 19. The band has won many awards in Canada and America and cut dashing figures in their tangerine costumes, black hats and buickled shoes. Evening News, Edinburgh August 22 ABOVE : Lance Jewall, Gordon & Louisa Olson. BELOW: Connie Demchuk, Nancy Alexander, Karen Alexander, Gloria Grassi, Cindy Arsenault
The Variety Club Telethon was held on February 21 and 22 in 1976. It featured Jo Anne Worley from Laugh In fame, Monty Hall game show host, Gloria Kaye, Paul Horn, flautist extraordinaire, Blake Emmons country singer and Bob McGrath from Sesame Street. The Beefeater band was a part of the program as well.
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1975
JUMPING IN JEST High jinks on Princes Street today – from the Jester Corps of the British Columbia Beefeater Band, one of the colorful attractions of the tattoo. The parade was watched by thousands of visitors thronging the pavements.
1975
BELOW: The Tattoo finale. The new method of erecting spectator stands appears to give more space to the esplanade.
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is probably the most spectacular event of the Festival – and there’s no doubt that it is the most popular. More than 200,000 spectators will walk up the historic Royal Mile to see this year’s spectacular, which will cost an estimated 270,000 pounds. And that does not take into account of the millions who will watch the televised performance in Britain, Europe, Canada and Australia. There is no doubt that the tattoo organisers have established the almost perfect combination which keeps the crowds coming back year after year, and makes the event a “must” for most visitors. The Tattoo had huimble beginnings. In 1948 and 1949 a few thousand people watched
military displays at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens, but it was not until 1950 that the event, which has developed into the present tattoo, was launched. In 1950, audiences clutching their one shilling programme, watched eight items, including a pageant scene on the installation of General George, the Duke of Gordon, as Governor of Edinburgh Castle. The evenings entertainment, lit by Second World War searchlights, included massed pipes and drums and military bands and sing-a-long numbers. Much of the success of the Tattoo lies with its director from 1950 to 1966. the late brigadier Alaister Maclean,
Welcome return visitors to the Tattoo are The British Columbia Beefeater Band from Vancouver whose ages range from 14 to 19.
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EDINBURGH TOUR
an exuberant character whose enthusiasm and drive lifted it to world level and created a legend for himself in the process. This year Brigadier Jack Sanderson, who was assistant to Brigadier Maclean for six years, is stepping down from the producer and commentator’s rostrum. Now 66, he can look back on eight Tattoo’s of his own, and for this year’s, his ninth, he is firmly in the chair until the closing night.
ABOVE:: Waving the flags at this year’s Edinburgh Tattoo are the Beefeater Band including majorettes (from left) Nancy Alexander (14), Karen Alexander (17), Cindy Arsenault (16), Gloria Grassi (19) and Connie Demchuk (15). They’ve been practicing their swirls and steps at Craighall, near Edinburgh.
ABOVE: A back view of the costumes of the Beefeater Band from Vancouver. With black knee-stockings and bright orange uniforms (Yeoman of the Guards) they were a major hit.
The initial fanfare by trumpeters of the Royal Marines is Sanderson’s Farewell, specially written with an almost cha-cha beat, in honour of Brig. J.S. Sanderson, the producer and commentator.
RIGHT: Young members of the Vancouver Beefeater’s Band get in some musical and marching practice at Craigiehall, Edinburgh yesterday in preparation for their part in this year’s Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Nearly 200,000 spectators will walk up the Royal Mile to see this year’s spectacular, which will cost an estimated 270,000 pounds. Millions more will watch the televised event in Europe, Canada and Australia.
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1975
In 1975 we went to Edinburgh. When we arrived in London, en route, we couldn’t find anywhere to practice. We went to Hyde Park but the ground was too uneven and, after playing a couple of tunes, the police kicked us out. It would have been easy for us to injure ourselves marching on wobbly ground. So we didn’t practice for a week. Mr. Olson was an outstanding band director. He had some techniques that he used to get what he needed from the band. For example, when we arrived at our next s
1975
top in York, still en route to Edinburgh, we had a couple of hours to spare. We found a triangular piece of ground and got out to practice. We sounded terrible and the ground was rough. He knew it would be bad but he wanted us to regain our focus. He gave us a lot of grief that day trying to whip us into shape. We only had 6 trumpets. At dusk Mr. Olson said, “Come on; let’s go get a Wimpy burger.” As we were getting into the bus the trumpets agreed to stay behind for more
1975 was the band’s second trip to Edinburgh
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practice. We practiced our marching for about an hour and then we walked back to the university where we were staying. There was a heat wave that summer and it was hard to find a cold drink. We found some finally at the university then we practiced our music for another hour and a half. We basically memorized it. The next day we arrived in Edinburgh and went straight to Craigy Hall where we were staying. Once out of the bus Mr. Olson immediately called another practice out on the adjacent football pitch. On the field he said, “Trumpets you don’t have your music.”
EDINBURGH TOUR We told him we had memorized our parts. We sounded great! It wasn’t long before he started giving grief to the other sections. “Why can’t you sound like the trumpets?” he asked. He let us trumpets go half way through the rehearsal. We were in Edinburgh for 5 weeks, the run of the Tattoo. We made a recording with the military bands that year and another one in 1977. Also staying at Craigy Hall were the Maori Singers. The first night they all went into town and the next day they were restricted to barracks. There was a bomb threat made against them. Nice guys! They weren’t allowed to play rugby either because someone always seemed to break a collarbone or something. The band worked hard that summer. The crowds were amazing! There were five military bands and five pipe bands in all. When they all came together and played in the Grand Finale it was such a beautiful sound. and could see out over the entire crowd as they were leaving. Jamie Croil
BELOW Back home at the PNE Parade On February 21-22, 1976, the Beefeaters appeared on the Variety Club Telethon. Guests included Jo Anne Worley, Monty Hall, Gloria Kaye, Paul Horn, Blake Emmons and Bob McGrath.
The band worked hard that summer. The crowds were amazing!
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1977
1977 1977
An unforgettable moment came when Queen Elizabeth II stood up and applauded the young girls and boys of the Beefeater Band as they made their final bow before leaving the arena.
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The Royal Tournament CONTENTS FESTIVALS
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CONCERTS PARADES
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THE ROYAL TOURNAMENT
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THE ROYAL TOURNAMENT The highlight of the tour was of course The Royal Tournament. On July 19th there was a Review Parade. The parade was for those providing exciting and spectacular displays at the Royal Tournament. The march started from Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk at 2:30 pm, thence by the Victoria Memorial, The Mall and Horse Guards Road. Major General John Swinton O.B.E. General Officer Commanding London District and Chairman of the Royal Tournament Committee, took the salute from the Guards Memorial in Horse Guards Road. Participating groups were the Metropolitan Mounted Police, Royal Military Police, The Band of the Royal Marines, Royal Navy Field Gun Detachments, Band of the Australian Army Corps, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Naval Display – Zeebrugge, The British Columbia Beefeater Band, Royal Air Force Police Dogs, The White Helmets Motor Cycle Display
The Royal Tournament opened at Earls Court at 7:30 pm on July 14th and ran through July 31st. Every day except Tuesdays at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. On July 19th there was a Review Parade.
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1977 – A Great Year in a Long Career of Successes for the BEEFEATER BAND The Beefeaters were a smash hit everywhere they performed in England during the summer of 77. At the Agricultural Show in Stoneleigh before the Royal Tournament, they charmed all who saw them and made many friends. Notably were the children from Germany, The Voltigieren, amazing children’s horseback acrobatic team. The Royal Military Police Team ‘Red Caps,’ Horseman and motorcyclists, and of course the famed Band and Pipes of the Royal Scots’ Dragoon Guards.The Beefeaters had the pleasure of performing an amazing arrangement of Amazing Grace with these fine musicians in the closing ceremonies of the Fair. The highlight of the tour was of course The Royal Tournament. The Royal Tournament opened at Earls Court at 7:30 pm on July 14th and ran through July 31st. Every day except Above: Britain-Bound members of Vancouver’s Beefeater Band try trunks for size before packing for Friday departure. They will be first Canadian band to take part in Royal Tournament. Participating groups in the parade were the Metropolitan Mounted Police, Royal Military Police, The Band of the Royal Marines, Royal Navy Field Gun Detachments, Band of the Australian Army Corps, The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Naval Display – Zeebrugge, The British Columbia Beefeater Band, Royal Air Force Police Dogs, The White Helmets Motor Cycle Display.
Tuesdays at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. On July 19th there was a Review Parade. The parade was for those providing exciting and spectacular displays at the Royal Tournament. The march started from Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk at 2:30 pm, thence by the Victoria Memorial, The Mall and Horse Guards Road. Major General John Swinton O.B.E. General Officer Commanding London District and Chairman of the Royal Tournament Committee, took the salute from the Guards Memorial in Horse Guards Road. LEFT: Lined up and ready to go These seven members of the famous Beefeater band are on their way to England for six weeks performing in various centres as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee. The players from left to right are: Karen McKay, Roberta Douglas, Kim Zeiler, Tim Bramwell, Lee peterson, David Seller and Debbie Douglas.
1977
We feel very privileged to have had the British Columbia Beefeater Band here for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee performance of the Royal Tournament. Major General John Swinton, OBE, Chairman
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The Royal Tournament An unforgettable moment came when Queen Elizabeth II stood up and applauded the young girls and boys of the Beefeater Band as they made their final bow before leaving the arena. Other highlights included the jesters and majorettes handing out a beautiful red rose to each patron as they came to the Royal Tournament the night the Queen and Prince Philip were present. The band forming an honour guard for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as their car drove up to earl’s Court. Then there was the time when the many members of the band formed an honour guard for various members of the Royal Family as they came down the red carpet. Gordon and Louisa Olson were personally
greeted by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and other members of the Royal Family during the run of the tournament; Princess Anne, Princess Margaret, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Princess Alice. The band also enjoyed: * Meals at the Sargeant’s Mess * Meals at the Officer’s Mess * Their visit to Canada House where they were personally greeted by the Honourable Paul Martin. * General Swinton, Commander of the British Army, coming to the Band’s lounge in Earl;s Court to greet the band members personally * A visit to the Tower of London to meet the real Beefeaters
ABOVE: Canada House in London with the RH Paul Martin Beefeater exports in Britain B.C. Beefeater Band’s Patricia Post, Cathy Wilson and Karen McKay ham it up in London’s Trafalgar Square while in Britain for the famed Royal Tournament recently. The band won Royal approval from Princess Anne after one of about 20 performances it gave at the Royal Tournament in Earls Court. The B.C. Lion’s mascot band is currently on a short tour of Britain and is presently playing in Cardiff, Wales. A highlight of the three -week engagement at Earls Court was a standing ovation led by Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal Tournament has medieval origins and is an active display by military units competing for the monarch’s favor. Each performance is attended by a member of the Royal Family. The 100 member band, whose complement is almost equally comprised of males and females, is expected to return to Vancouver August 15.
I cannot speak to highly by the standards set by your band. In the arena their dedication, vitality and enthusiasm were selfevident and won the admiration and respect of the highly professiobal Services musicians and display teams.
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Many thanks for the very high standard which the band has reached under your direction and I express my admiration of the spectacular and entertaining performances of the Jester Corps thanks to Louisa’s inspiration and efforts.
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The Royal Tournament
The colour and gaiety, which you brought, to the Royal Tournament this year made a significant contribution. Many thanks from the Royal Agricultural Society of England.
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LEFT and ABOVE: A visit to Canada House where they met with the RH Paul Martin.
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The Beefeaters shared the spotlight with such renowned bands as the grenadier Guards, the Royal Marines, the Irish Guards as well as other performing items.
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The Royal Tournament
TOP RIGHT: The Little Drummer Girl
Prior to the Tournaament the Beefeaters travelled to Stonleigh, Warwickshire, with the Royal Show performing for several days. Immediately after the Tournament they travelled to Cardiff for their Searchlight Tattoo.
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1977 ITINERARY Fri. July 1 Check in at Vancouver International Airport at Air Canada’s Special Group counter 2:40 p.m. Fri. July 1 Depart Vancouver on Air Canada 852 4;40 p.m. Sat July 2 Arrive London-Heathrow Airport 11:00 a.m. After clearing customs and immigration, transfer from London Airport to Stoneleigh in Warwickshire Sat. July 2 to Thurs. July 7 Accomodation provided at Stoneleigh
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Sun July 3 Rehearsal at Stoneleigh Mon. July 4 to Thurs. July 7 Perform at Royal Agricultural Show – National Agricultural Centre, Kenilworth, Warwickshire Fri. July 8 Transfer from Stoneleigh to London Fri. July 8 to Sun. July 31 incl. Accomodation provided in London Sun. July 10 Royal Tournament preview parade, St. James Park Mon. July 11 to Wed. July 13 Rehearsals at Earls Court Wed. July 13 Dress Rehearsal
Thurs. July 14 First performance at Royal Tournament Sun. July 31 Last performance at Royal Tournament Two performances daily including Sundays: 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. No matinees on Tuesday and no performances on Mondays Mon. Aug. 1 Transportation from London to Cardiff, South Wales Mon. Aug. 1 to Sun. Aug. 14 Cardiff Teachers Training College Fri. Aug. 5 First performance: Cardiff Searchlight Tattoo, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff,
Before the July 19 performance at the Royal Tournament, the band formed the honour guard for the Queen when she arrived at the Tournament.
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The Royal Tournament South Glamorgan Sat. Aug. 13 Last performance: Cardiff Searchlight Tattoo Mon. Aug. 15 Transfer from Cardiff to London-Heathrow Airport Mon. Aug. 15 Depart London on Air Canada 853 12:00 noon Mon. Aug. 15 Arrive Vancouver 1:20 p.m.
A big thrill for all was meeting the real Beefeatrs at the Tower of London. Most had seen our show and thought it was spectacular.
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Cardiff was a beautiful city. The people were very warm and friendly towards the band. The Cardiff tattoo was truly one of the most spectacular events the band had ever performed in. On the site of Cardiff castle, each nite around 1100 performers, musicians, athletes, combat teams, mounted groups, animals and others performed to capacity audiences.
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Our host and producer, Aubrey Jackman, was also a narrator of a certain segment of the program that delt with the various British Monarchs since the reign of Queen Victoria. His narration was excellent and brought back many memories and well known vignettes of the Royal Family.
“As I said every night that you marched out of the arena, there is no doubt that this was one of the most colorful displays to ever appear in the Cardiff Tattoo.
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The Cardiff Searchlight Tattoo
When we were playing at the Cardiff Torchlight Tattoo the Welsh Guards Band was there as well. Between shows the Major who was the Director of their band called me over to his table. He says, “How would you like to play with us? We would like your high notes in our band.” I asked, “What’s the up side?” “Well, we’ll feed you, we’ll cloth you, we’ll give you room and board plus we’ll pay you. All you have to do is play your trumpet all day long.” “What’s the downside?” I investigated. “Well, you will have to do duty in Northern Ireland for six weeks out of every year.” “Is that with my trumpet?” “Unfortunately not!” It had not been a good year for the British in Northern Ireland. Beautiful band! I would have loved to play in their band. Jamie Croil
“I think Cardiff was an excellent place to get exposure for your band, where you had ample room to manouvre, with splendid coloured lighting, so that Cardiff had great advantage in many ways over the arenas at both Edinburgh and Earls Court.”
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LEFT: Dave, Parade-Marshall, Mr. Olson
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The Beefeaters had the privilege of performing Amazing Grace with the famed band and pipes of the Royal Scots’ Dragoon Guards at the closing ceremonies of the Agricultural Fair. This is the band that originally recorded the tune.
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Back Home in Vancouver! RIGHT : B.C. Beefeaters Band Back Home……….tour audience topped 700,000 Beefeaters return, get big welcome The B.C. Beefeaters band – back from performing before royalty and getting a standing ovation in the process – came home to a tumultuous welcome Monday at Vancouver International Airport. Clapping and cheering greeted the 92 members of the band, color guard and drum majorette corps as they emerged from the customs area at the end of a six-week tour of Britain. Band director Gordon Olson described the tour as a “super success.” “We all had a marvelous time,” he said. The band went to Britain with an invitation to play at the Royal Tournament in honor of Queen Eliizabeth’s silver jubilee. Before the July 19 performance, the band formed the honor guard for the Queen when she arrived at the tournament. “The best part was when the Queen gave us a standing ovation,” Ivor Palmer, an 18-yearold trombonist, said. The band also performed at the Cardiff Tattoo in Wales and at the Royal Agricultural Show at Stoneleigh. About 700,000 people saw the band it was estimated.
“the Ice Bowl”
On November 27, 1977 the Beefeaters played at the 65th Grey Cup game in Montreal dubbed “the Ice Bowl.” The playing surface was more ideal for ice hockey than football. A blizzard hit Montreal two days prior to the game, and stadium crews put salt on the field to melt the snow. But as the temperature dropped the next day the melted snow turned into a sheet of ice. To combat the conditions, many
of the Montreal Alouettes players put staples on the bottom of their shoes in order to get good traction. The move was spearheaded by star defender Tony Proudfoot. It was the third meeting in four years between the Alouettes and theEdmonton Eskimos. With a record Grey Cup c
rowd of 68,318 at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, the home team did not disappoint in a 41-6 rout over their Western rivals. The producer of Entertainment was Hugo Depot.
No one will ever forget the moment when Queen Elizabeth II stood up and applauded the young girls and boys of the band as they made their final bow before leaving the arena.
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1978
1978
On September 17, 1978 the Pope paid a visit to Vancouver. The British Columbia Beefeater Band was invited to perform.
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The Captain Cook Bi-Centennial CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES
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CAPTAIN COOK BI-CENTENNIAL
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THE CAPTAIN COOK BI-CENTENNIAL TOUR The Beefeater Band was appointed the official band for the Captain Cook Bi-Centennial. It included the joining together of 40 top young musicians from across B.C. with the Beefeater band bringing the total number in the band up to 110. It would be an honour band and it was known as the All British Columbia Bi-Centennial Beefeater band. During May 11-16, the World International Band Championships were held in Vancouver and the Bi-Centennial Band was the host band for the event. A tour of the interior of B.C. was planned for the first two weeks in July, highlighting many celebrations and events to be held in conjunction with the Captain Cook Bi-Centennial.
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The British Columbia Bi-Centennial band travelled km and bringing to 14 communities 110 piece Captain July, Osoyoos, B.C., Exhibiting the very striking Captain over Cook3,600 Bicentennial flags are music members of different the provincial band who took province. Cook band. part inthroughout Saturday’sthe parade..
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Above: Delighting visitors to the Community Park area July 1, was the 110 piece Captain Cook band. The band played a number of selections for an attentive audience. The Beefeater Band was appointed the official band for the Captain Cook Bi-Centennial. It included the joining together of 40 top young musicians from across B.C. with the Beefeater band bringing the total number in the band up to 110. It would be an honour band and it was known as the All British Columbia Bi-Centennial Beefeater band. During May 11-16, the World International Band Championships were held in Vancouver and the BiCentennial Band was the host band for the event. A tour of the interior of B.C. was planned for the first two weeks in July, highlighting many celebrations and events to be held in conjunction with the Captain Cook Bi-Centennial.
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This summer the British Columbia Bi-Centennial band is travelling over 3,600 km and bringing music to 14 different communities throughout the province. Grand Forks is fifth stop on a tour that is taking the 110 member band from Vancouver Island to the Kootneys.
Things perfect for July 1 Cherry Fiesta celebration The weather couldn’t have been nicer over the July 1 Cherry Fiesta weekend as the grand parade was said to be the best in recent years and activities around the Community Hall well attended by visitors and local persons. The busy day of fun got underway Saturday morning with the grand parade from the Lakeview Plaza.
In the judging of floats, Osoyoos Touch of Holland float was judged the best commercial entry while the Afternoon Delight float from oroville was awarded the trophy for the best Community float. This year’s parade extended over a long route. Crowds started to grow when they heard the very impressive Captain Cook band. In kicking off the musicial show, the Captain Cook band gathered next to the beer garden to entertain for a time with the band and the twirlers earning a well deserved ovation from the very appreciative listeners.
On September 17, 1978 the Pope paid a visit to Vancouver. The British Columbia Beefeater Band was invited to perform.
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The Captain Cook Bi-Centennial
The band should arrive in Grand Forks shortly after noon today (Wednesday July 5) and will play a selection of marching music as it makes its way through the center of town. Later this evening an outdoor concert will be held at City park. The Bi-Centennial Band has been together for just over a year and in that time has toured Great Britain playing in Cardiff and London. Members of the Beefeater Band from Vancouver as well as musicians from throughout the province have come
together for this tour. The day of music is the result of collaboration between the Grand Forks and district Board of Trade and Stan Kirkpatrick of the Ministry of Tourism. The music of the band is an excuse to celebrate says Wilf Warner, president of the board of trade – and its free for anyone who wants to listen. RIGHT: DISTINGUISHED BEEFEATER, PNE president Erwin Swangard dons uniform at Empire Stadium to publicize the International Pageant of Youth Bands on May 14.
The 110 piece Captain Cool band played a concert at the Community Park in Penticton on July 1 and was very impressive.
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The Regiments
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The pomp and deeply emotional impact of the world’s finest Tattoo in Edinburgh will be seen in Melbourne from March 21st to April 1st this year.
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The MelbourneMilitary Tattoo CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES MELBOURNE MILITARY TATTOO
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People all over the world love the pomp and ceremony of a military tattoo, particularly the Edinburgh Tattoo. The city of Melbourne is delighted to host the Melbourne Military Tattoo from March 21 to April 1. The 800 performers, many of them from overseas, will ensure a colorful and diverse spectacle for all who are fortunate to view it. Conducted in association with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and in affliliation with the Royal Tournament, London, the tattoo is not just a display of pipe and brass bands and martial music but a very carefully blended programme including drill displays, and highland and country dancing. The presence of so many famous bands from England, Scotland, British Columbia, New Zealand and Brunei, as well as interstate, will be good for tourism.
The Tattoo will be held on the Melbourne Cricket Ground which we feel is the best venue for this spectacle just as we feel Melbourne is the ideal city to host this event.
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It all started out with Sunday morning band practices at Empire Stadium. It seemed to rain every Sunday which was not very good. The practices started at 11 am
so clear out and the sky was the most gorgeous shade of blue I had ever seen. When we arrived in Melbourne we were all taken to our houses and given the rest of
The first week was mainly practices and site seeing. After the first week the fun really started. We were performing in the Melbourne Military Tattoo. Opening night we
and not end until about 4 pm, marching all the time which was very tiring. Time flew by and it was finally the last week before we were to leave. Everyone was running around making sure their name was on everything they own, and also making sure they didn’t forget their instruments, flags or in my case batons. It wouldn’t be very good if the band arrived in Australia with only half the equipment needed.
very beautiful with hot temperatures, blue skies and lots of scenic areas to visit. The people we all met in Australia were very pleasant. I wrote to many
the day off to rest. Practices would start the next morning. The band was to stay in Melbourne for three weeks, the last two weeks being performances.
were a big success. All the rest of the nights were equally impressive. When the two weeks were over we all complained because we didn’t want to go home. Melbourne was
for a long time afterwards. We were all feeling very down on the plane ride home until our plane got hijacked.
The day finally arrived and after we said all out goodbyes we were on our way. The flight was really long and tiring, but boy was it fun. We stopped in L.A., Hawaii, Fiji and Sidney. After a short stop in Sidney we flew on to Melbourne. The sights on the way took us over mountains and we really enjoyed the Sidney Opera House from the air. It was
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It is our hope that the Melbourne Military Tattoo will become to Melbourne what the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has become to Edinburgh.
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The MelbourneMilitary Tattoo When we were boarding the plane in Sidney for the final leg of our journey there was an announcement that a man was holding a woman at gunpoint inside our plane. Luckily he hadn’t waited until we were all on board. We had to wait for hours for the event to resolve. During the first three hour stand-off the gunman hurt his hostage and she had to be taken to hospital but he remained on board. TV cameras and fire engines were all over the place and of course policemen. Finally, the police went in after him after waiting for six hours. There was a rumor that he had a bomb. We kids found it all very exciting. The policemen went in and shot the hijacker and he was taken to the hospital. An hour later we were able to board our plane. Apparently there had been no bomb but they had to check any way to be sure. We saw a stain on the rug when we entered and they had to take out two seats.
We hope that the Tattoo will become a great vehicle for bringing together the people af all nations in a spirit of goodwill, thus helping to strengthen the bonds between Australia and other countries of the world.
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1979 THE TATTOO The arena had an aura of pageantry and tradition, steeped in color and heavy with emotion and nostalgia. Against a backdrop of the Melbourne night and a replica of a castle keep, the first Melbourne Military Tattoo is played. And even though it has run only a couple of nights, it is already being ranked as the equal of the Edinburgh event. Troops and bands from Britain, Brunei, Canada, New Zealand and Australia drill, march and play with precision. The Brunei regiment plays a special march written for the tattoo by its musical directors. Altogether, 800 people take part in the program, which lasts nearly two hours. A spectacular fireworks display on opening night will be repeated on the final night, April 1. The display includes a mock battle, the flight of a flock of fiery doves and a star which bursts across a low trajectory above the MCC. The tattoo could rank with the Melbourne Cup and Moomba as one of the city’s great tourist attractions, its director, Mr. John Howell predicted yesterday. “With it we have the opportunity for the city to have an annual attraction that will bring in millions of tourist dollars,” he said. “This is a trial year – we are bound to make
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mistakes, but it is a spectacle that cannot be seen elsewhere except in Scotland.” Mr. Howell said next year it was planned to bring in 3000 Japanese tourists to Australia to see the tattoo.
OPPOSITE: As the performance nears its end, the troops and bands combine for a grand finale. About 800 performers from Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Brunei and Australia took part in the tattoo.
The spectacle began with a traditional fanfare followed by the massed pipes and drums. Next, came the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment and then the Scottish Country and Highland Dancers. The Beefeater Band came next followed by the Royal Airforce Drill Squadron and Royal Australian Air Force Central Band.
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The MelbourneMilitary Tattoo
The 2nd half of the program consisted of a massed band presentation and finally the Grand Finale including the Victoria Police Brass Band.
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1980
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They departed on South African Airways Flt 204 the evening of July 2nd bound for Johannesburg. From Johannesburg they caught flight 523 for Durban.
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The DurbanMilitary Tattoo CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS
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PARADES
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DURBAN MILITARY 165 TATTOO
THE DURBIN MILITARY TATTOO The British Columbia Beefeater Band was officially invited to perform at the 1980 Durban Military Tattoo by the Mayor of Durban. The first Durban Tattoo took place the year before and was patterned after the Edinburgh Tattoo. An 8-man team came from Edinburgh to help assist in preparations the first year. 150,000 people attended the first tattoo. The Beefeater Band was the major draw card and had been recommended to Durban by the Edinburgh committee. Besides performing in Durban the band performed in other locations around South Africa. Official approval to perform at the tattoo was granted by the Canadian External Affairs Department, the British Columbia Government and the British Consul.
They arrived the evening of July 3rd at Louis Botha Airport in Durban. After a leisurely night at the Four Seasons and a morning of site-seeing they departed by bus for Hluhluwe and the Hluhluwe Holiday Inn.
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July 1st, New York City
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1980 The Durban Military Tattoo
Itinerary The band departed Vancouver on July 1st for New York City where they spent the evening at a Holiday Inn near the Holland Tunnel in Jersey. The following day they spent on a tour of New York City. They visited Times Square, “The Great White Way,” the theatre district of Broadway, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, Chinatown, the Stock Exchange, Rockefeller Centre, Lincoln Centre, Grants Tomb and made a stop at Battery Park to view the Statue of Liberty. They they went on to Kennedy Airport. They departed on South African Airways Flt 204 the evening of July 2nd bound for Johannesburg. From Johannesburg they caught flight 523 for Durban. They arrived
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Personnel: Flutes: Arlene Frydenlund, Catherine Bealle, Brenda Baird, Dawn Warwick, Lisa Drab, Elizabeth Buckham, Linda Shepherd, Sandy Vaughan-Thomas Clarinets: Mike Kenney, Michael Lee, Heather Lyne, Janet Parkinson, Teresa Spencer, Steve Smith, Naomi Redekop, Jean Hummel, Tracey Deverall Saxophones: David Pierce, Rod Mont, Michelle Newman, Christine Morrison, John Pedosuk, Ian Campbell Trumpets: Kenneth Olson, Cathy Wilson, Greg Hunka, John Molnar, Andy Edelmeier, Duncan Webster, Linda Cooper, Brendon Prosch, Peter McDonald, Karen Brown, Jonathan Gregory, Tammy Findlay French Horns: Jane Houlden, Heather Berkeley Trombones: Ivor Palmer, Susanne Filippelli, Brad Muirhead, Arleigh Bell, Tom Brailsford Majorettes: Stacey Henderson, Christina Ceraldi, Corri Kerswell, Lee Peterson Flag Corp Coach: Carol Grassi Baritones: Patricia Post, Simon Everett, Roger Rourke, Burke Tanner Basses: Ed Baseley, Trevor Kitchen, Mike Bruce, Steve Willing, Scott Baran Percussion: Larry Olson, Dale Onions, Chris Bjelde, Louis Molnar, Lynn Horne, Peter Barone, Melody Duvenage, Joe Creegan Flags: Mary Wynne, Joldine Lee, Debra Pierce, Tania Davis, Lisa Angus, Cindy Luck, Joan Colley Lorelei Boos
On May 14, 1980 the band gave a concert at the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse Theatre. The Master of Ceremonies was Bill Strafford.
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The DurbanMilitary Tattoo the evening of July 3rd at Louis Botha Airport in Durban. After a leisurely night at the Four Seasons and a morning of site-seeing they departed by bus for Hluhluwe and the Hluhluwe Holiday Inn. On July 5th they were up early to visit the Hluhluwe Game Reserve as guests of the Natal Parks Board. They performed on the Hluhluwe rugby field for their hosts at 11:00 am. At noon they departed for Empangeni. There they met the editor of the Zululand Observer. They had a late lunch and met the mayor and the Zulu King. They put on a short performance on the rugby field before the game. After the game, they were invited to a braai and disco by the City Council. They were billeted in the homes of the local members of Lions, Rotary, Round Table and City Councillors. On July 6th they returned to Durban.
ABOVE: Dale Onions Thanks to Dale for all these photos of the South Africa trip.
The highlight of this years Durban Tattoo is the British Columbia Beefeater Band. The massed pipes and drums of the South African Police at Hammanskaal also proved to be popular with the audience.
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SHOW FIT FOR A KING For the unknowing, the scene at Mick Kelly Park last Saturday must have appeared as though the clock had been turned back a few centuries. Court jesters and performers fit for royalty made a colorful scene as the British Columbia Beefeater Band - all 78 of them - gathered for a display of music and marching that surpassed anything seen here before. And fit for a king it was. Guests of honour King Goodwill Zwelithini and his queen, together with Prince Gideon Zulu, met with the young guests at luncheon.
ABOVE: The Troops! A crowd of more than 800 saw the Beefeaters and the Josni Drill Platoon assemble on the field where the Mayor of Empangeni, Councillor PRT Steenkamp, accompanied the king on an inspection of the ranks. The Beefeaters took to the field with a magnificent display of music and marching that had the crowd calling for more. Of particular appeal was their playing of Nkosi Sikelel’l Africa. LEFT: The Mayor of Empangeni, councillor Phillip Steenkamp leading King Goodwill Zwelithini and escorts through the ranks of the band and the Josni Battalion.
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The playing of Nkosi Sikelel’l Africa was of particular appeal to King Goodwill as the band had only recieved the music hours before yet they still played it flawlessly.
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The DurbanMilitary Tattoo
ABOVE LEFT: King Goodwill and his queen welcome members of the band. The Beefeaters described meeting King Goodwill and his Queen as” “Super; he’s friendly - you’d hardly think you were talking to a king.” King Goodwill Zwelithini and his escorts were led through the ranks of the band by the Mayor of Empangeni, and Counsillor Phillip Steenkamp. The band listened while King Goodwill and Mayor Steenkamp made their welcoming speeches. The crowd as well were delighted by the visit of the Beefeater Band at Mick Kelly Park last Saturday. BOTTOM: The four jesters proved popular with the 800 strong audience.
ABOVE: Gordon and Louisa
Drum Major Arlene Frydenlund led the British Columbioa Beefeater Band into the hearts and memories of the 800 - strong crowd who turned out to see them perform at Mick Kelly rugby park.
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1980
July 7th through July 9th they rehearsed for the Durban Military Tattoo.
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The DurbanMilitary Tattoo
From July 10 through July 19 they performed every evening at the tattoo.
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1980
Beefeaters dazzle city children
Tattoo band arrive in City The High-stepping lads and lasses of the British Columbia Beefeater band, who recently wowed the crowds at the Durban Tattoo, flew into Cape Town yesterday, July 21, for an action-packed three-day visit.
The British Columbia Beefeater Band hit the Good Hope Centre yesterday, and schoolkid spectaculars will never be the same in Cape Town again. Children and staff from various local high schools were among those on hand to see the multi-talented Beefeaters play their way through a selection of brass-band numbers. Then the floor was cleared of all obstacles, and led by drum-major Arlene Fredelund in her tall white shako, the Canadians came back in for a high-stepping 15 minutes of precision marching, with rousing music and thundering drums all the way. The mayoral party entered to the Grand March from”Aida” played by prize-winning local trumpeter Burgeret Botma of Parowvallei, who recently came first in a competition involving 220 aspiring musicians. He was later joined by two Beefeater trumpeters, Brendan Proche and Jonathan Gregory, in a special perfrmance devised by Mr. Olson, who had heard Burgeret play and had been impressed by his talent.
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One school girl commented as she left the Good Hope Centre, “It was a pretty good show but it was too short.”
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The DurbanMilitary Tattoo
Beauties beef up the band “One night Mr. Olson was late so we all sat around telling jokes and Kenny played the piano. We showed our appreciation by throwing pennies. The chaperones were all busy looking for Mr. Kitchen who was lost along with our luggage and instruments.” Lynn Horne Onions
Dark haired Arlene Frydenlund and blonde Melanie Duvenage have been the highlight of the Durban Military Tattoo. At night in their uniforms they drove the soldiers wild and in their daylight hours they enjoy Durban’s sunny beaches. Both are prominent members of the Beefeater Band, 17, and veterans of the Melbourne Tattoo.
The Beefeaters - 80 of them , have lots to do before leaving for Johannesburg on Thursday. They will tour the winelands, attend a genuine African braai and perform ath the Good Hope Centre.
Wine Route Today, the Beefeaters visited Stellenbosch as guests of the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery., seeing the museum and travelling part of the way along the wine route. Tonight the company which is sponsering them will treat them to a mammoth braai in Bellville. Tomorrow is a working day with a youth concert at Good Hope.
The band was treated to a mammoth braai in Bellville and were guests of the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery getting to tour their museum and visit a part of their wine route.
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From July 24 through 29 they visited Randburg. On July 24th after meeting their hosts they departed for the SABC/TV studios to do some TV recordings. On the 25th they played at a Beerfest before an Oompah Band
took over. On the 26th they lead a parade around Randburg City and then they were off to Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. On the 27th they visited a Mine Museum at Crown Mines, Johannesburg. They spent the 28th in Pretoria.
“One of the lady hosts was quite upset when she found us talking to the black soldiers. Larry, Louie, Peter and myself were quickly herded away.” Lynn Horne, Onions
On the 29th they went to Johannesburg where they visited the Stock Exchange and the Africana Museum. After a farewell party in the Airports VIP Lounge they boarded the plane for New York.
With th eir trad itional away, th uniform e scarle s packe tjacketed d the BC youngs Beefeate te r r s B o a f nd prov with a s ide onlo plach o okers f color their bu w h e n they bo s after arded arriving port, fre at DF M sh from a la n Airthe Dur ban Tatt oo.
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This years tattoo was planned to coincide with Naval Week as well as the Durban Tattoo Shopping Festival.
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The DurbanMilitary Tattoo “When we left Durban we had to say goodbye to our wonderful waiters Terry Toony and our bus driver Jimmy. And now on to Capetown. “There were beaches for whites, Asians and Africans. One day we chose the wrong one and pulled a very haste u-turn. All bus stops and bathrooms were segregated. Lynn Horne Onions
On July 30th we departed New York on Air Canada Flight 825 for Vancouver after an amazing trip to the other side of the world. South Africa was a land of contrasts indeed.
Our resplendent uniforms which we wore on parade were not to be seen - they were still in transit to Cape Town - but the Beefeaters were anything but inconspicuous in their blue trousers and scarlet windbreakers. Awaiting them at DF Malan Airport was a big red bus emblazoned with the name of a famous brand of gin - guess which one - which took them to their first stop Parow’s Sanlam Centre.
The Durban Military Tattoo is the 2nd top highlight of the July calendar only after the Rothmans July Handicap.
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ABOVE: Stacey Henderson marching in the parade through the streets of Johanesburg. Johanesburg was their last stop on what proved to be an event-filled visit to the Durban Military Tattoo in the summer of 1980.
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William Hoskins Sara and Jack Parle ran the Vancouver Juvenile Band.
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The DurbanMilitary Tattoo Ken: Yes. Interviewer: And I know he was teaching in the schools, probably to bring students into Vancouver Junior Band. Ken: Right. Interviewer: But we don’t know anything about how it started. There was William Hoskins Sara and, Jack Parle? They both had a band in Vancouver. When Delmont burst onto the scene in 1928, William Hoskins Sara had the Van Juvenile Band. What happened when Delmont came, Sara didn’t travel. He was an old British, trained director from Kneller Hall in England. And Jack Parle, the two of them ran this band, but they didn’t travel with their band. When Delmont told everybody he was forming a traveling band, all the kids, including Dal Richards all went to Delamont. The only one that stayed was Bud Kellett Continued on page 175
ABOVE: The Olson Family in South Africa: Gordon, Larry, Louisa and Ken.
The Vancouver Juvenile Band was not a travelling band.
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1981-1982
1981-82 172 - The Calgary Stampede
The band often played at the Calgary Stampede. Often they brought home a number of awards.
The Calgary Stampede CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES THE CALGARY STAMPEDE
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THE CALGARY STAMPEDE The Calgary Stampede is a popular venue for bands from all over Western Canada. The Beefeater Band played several times there over the years. It fit their style perfectly and they often marched off with the trophy as the best Showband. Besides being good at what they did, they always looked exceptional in their bright colored uniforms and distinctive style. They were unique to say the least. The idea of dressing the band up as Beefeaters was a good one and it paid off over the years in trophys and good wishes. One doesn’t expect to see a British Beefeater on the Plains of Canada, but they were a hit everywhere they went.
The band often played at the Calgary Stampede. often the brought home a number of awards.
1981-82 Joe Gagnier Award
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In October 1981 Stacey Henderson (photo right) who was a member of the B.C. Beefeater Band became the 1981 winner of the Joe Gagnier award at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre. This junior sportsmanship and achievement award is given annually to a teenager who takes an active role in the Mount Pleasant community. Stacey is a member of the B.C. Beefeater Band’s Jesters majorette Corps, plays clarinet and helps teach young baton students. She is lead majorette and flag twirler. Since joining the band in 1977 she has travelled with it on a B.C. tour and has performed in England and Australia.
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Our grandfather’s band was a travellin band as well.
174 - The Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede Interviewer: So that was some of the early history. There were three or four different bands at that time, but they weren’t traveling bands. And that’s what set Delamont apart.. Ken: Right. I know that like even in the late fifties, my dad’s band traveling, so he’d obviously picked up on that as well. I don’t know how much the original organization started by my grandfather translated across to my dad and his musical endeavor. But for a long time, I remember very clearly as a child, being at the Arcadian Hall for band practice. That was the standard. And so, we’re talking the early sixties then. Interviewer: That’s where I went. 65. Ken: So it was a longstanding relationship between the Arcadian Hall and the band. Started the studio there. It was the first studio on Broadway. This is my earliest recollections as a child, was the studio on Broadway. Larry: 163 West Broadway. Ken: That’s right. There was a big fire down Continued on page 176
The band’s first studio was at 163 West broadway.
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Interviewer: So, when did you both join the Beefeater band? Larry: Yeah, I went through the C band, B band, A band. Interviewer: So when did you find yourself in the Beefeater Band? Larry: 1971 for me. Ken: 1969 for me. Interviewer: So you went on the European trip? Ken: That’s right. Interviewer: And you would’ve gone on the 71 trip, which I got in the book. It was across US Canada. Larry: Yeah. Five weeks. Interviewew: Cool. And you stayed in it for how long? Larry: Until I left to teach at the University of Saskatchewan in 1985. And then when I came back in 89, the band was still kind of going on and I started performing with them again. So, for a good portion of my life, whenever I first could play anything, I guess, until into my thirties. Interviewer: And you were in it how long Ken, from 69 to? Ken: Well, I first played with the Beefeaters in 69. I’d played with the band probably since about 67. And I started teaching at Thomas Moore in 83. Continued on page 177
1981-82 176 - The Calgary Stampede
Throughout the seventies and eighties I was in the band or helping.
The Calgary Stampede So, I was still involved with the band at that time, and maintained kind of a relationship.… Interviewer: Did you go on trips all the way through the seventies and early eighties? Ken :Yes, I went on all the trips basically. Interviewer:And you too Larry? all the way up until? Larry: Yeah. Most of them. I had to miss the Melbourne Tattoo in Australia, unfortunately, but I went on all the other ones. Interviewer: Okay, cool. So, you were always, at some point I guess you started helping your dad more, as opposed to being just a band boy? Ken: Oh, definitely. Interviewer: Or did you always help? Larry: Well we always helped him one way or another being family members. But I started teaching when I was 15 years old. That is studio. And that’s when I took over as the drum instructor at the studio until I left in 85. And were you the trumpet teacher at any time? Yeah, I kind of remember you were the private trumpet teacher. Ken: So I started teaching trumpet probably around 73. Larry: Yeah. And I in 1975. Interviewer: Any thoughts on the Royal Tournament? Larry: Yeah, that was epic. That was the largest touring group, I believe, on record. I mean, I want to say 121, but it might have been 111, it was Continued on page 196
The Royal Tournament in ‘77 was epic.
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1983
1983 178 - The Royal Visit
In 1983 the Queen came to Vancouver harbor on board the RMS Britannia. She was here to promote Expo 86 coming up in three years.
The Royal Tournament CONTENTS FESTIVALS CONCERTS PARADES THE ROYAL TOURNAMENT
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THE ROYAL TOURNAMENT The band visited London again on this tour and played for a second time in the Royal Tournament. The Royal Tournament was the world’s largest military tattoo and pageant, held by the British Armed Forces annually between 1880 and 1999. The venue was originally in the Royal Agricultural Hall and latterly the Earls Court Exhibition Centre. In its later years it also acted as a fundraising event for leading forces charities, such as The Royal British Legion. The Grand Military Tournament and Assault at Arms was held at the former Royal Agricultural Hall, in Islington from 21 to 26 June 1880.
In 1983 The Royal Tournament was pleased to welcome back one of the leading youth bands in North America. They appeared at the tournament on Saturday July 30, 1983.
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1983 Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s visit to B.C. in 1983 celebrated two important provincial milestones: the start of the construction of Canada Place for the upcoming Vancouver Expo in 1986 and the completion of the restoration workthroughout the Parliament Buildings. Her Majesty entered the Upper Rotunda through the Ceremonial Entrance and unveiled a plaque now displayed in the security area on the main floor. As a gift, Her Majesty received a three volume set of the Journals from the colonial legislatures of Vancouver Island and British Columbia (1851 to 1871), and in return, presented B.C. with plants from the collections at Kew Gardens in England. In fact, flowers were a theme throughout the visit: Her Majesty received a gift of Lewis J. Clark’s book Wildflowers of B.C. from the University of Victoria and attended the opening of the newly restored Craigflower School - the oldest school in Western Canada. Furthermore, the Queen shed much of the 230 person security staff
BELOW: In 1983 the Queen came to Vancouver harbor on board the RMS Britannia. She was here to promote Expo 86 coming up in three years. The Beefeater Band greeted her at Port Vancouver. Photos courtesy of Carol Grassi.
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that had accompanied her in the United Statesat the start of her trip and received “an endless supply of spring flowers into her hands” from B.C. children, the sum of which made the Royal Yacht Britannia
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to tour restored Paliament Buildings
180 - The Royal Visit
“look like a floating flower shop.” The Britannia then sailed up to Nanaimo, where it was greeted with a flotilla of homemade bathtub boats, one of its strangest naval escorts.
The Royal Visit To Vancouver It was more like a homecoming—the Queen was in British Columbia, and the first stop was Victoria, a city that collects tourist dollars each year with its carefully cultivated image of preserving a little bit of Britain. Mounties were everywhere throughout the tour, not all of them in red coats and stiff hats. In British Columbia the demonstrations were affectionate ones, and the only objects tossed her royal way were flowers thrown by excited children determined to add their contribution of daffodils and roses to the 11 official bouquets presented. During the brief tour the Queen and Prince Philip visited five cities in one day—Nanaimo, Vernon, Kamloops, Kelowna and New Westminster. As the monarch who
reigns but does not rule, the Queen did her job as she has for 30 years. She smiled at the right times, waved, shook hands (three fingers only) and politely accepted such well-meaning gifts as five leatherbound volumes of the debates of the legislatures of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, 18511871.
Docked in Vanc ouver h it lit up arbor, the frien dly Wes skies, t C oast symboli zing th ter and e g litgaiety o f the Q three-da u e e n ’s y Canad ian visit A cheer . ing cro wd of 3 helped 0,000 her issu e th e world invitatio wide n to Ex po 86, Canada ’s intern ational transpo rtation f air.
The Queen noticed. At a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in Vancouver, she said that the flowers had turned the Britannia into “a floating flower shop.”
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1983 “They shall have music wherever they go.” In 1983 The Royal Tournament was pleased to welcome back one of the leading youth bands in North America. They appeared at the tournament on Saturday July 30, 1983.
ABOVE: Ken Olson
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The massive music of the Bands is always a particularly popular feature of the Cardiff Tattoo.
182 - Cardiff Searhlight Tattoo
The Royal Tournament The theme of this year’s tournament was The Battle of Britain. The emphasis was on London and how it survived the blitz of 1940 and 1941. The purpose of the tournament is to show off the armed forces to the public. I hope you will see that the standards of determination and courage, which has served this country well in the past, is not lost on the youth of today.
BELOW : At the Cardiff Tattoo. Searchli The tatt ght o o was in in 1963 augura and held te d every o It is put ther yea on by th r. e City o It is one f Cardif of the la f. rgest m toos held ilitary ta in Grea tt Britain Castle is . C a rdiff a deligh tful loca tion.
The musical ride by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Royal Navy’s filed gun competition have become annual showpieces of Britain’s armed forces.
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1985 BELOW: 1985 promotional shot at BC Place Stadium for the upcoming Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. RIGHT: Another promo shot at BC Place Stadium with Dan Bartolic, Mike Bruce, Tony Miles BELOW RIGHT SMALL: Colleen Francis, Sylvia Bartolic and Vanessa Lee Werth. BELOW SMALL: Drum Major Linda Shepherd, majorette Stacey Henderson and top flute Jeff Oakman, Sylvia Bartolic, Colleen Francis and Vanessa Lee Werth on the bottom.
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The above three photos were taken at B.C. Place Stadium at a pre-EXPO 86 celebration and promotion.
184 - The Govenor General’s Visit
The Governor General’s Visit The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”, attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world’s largest rodeos, a parade, midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing and First Nations exhibitions. The parade serves as the official opening of the Stampede and begins shortly before 9 a.m. on the first Friday of the event. Each year features a different parade marshal, chosen to reflect the public’s interests at that time. Politicians, athletes, actors and other dignitaries have all served as marshals. The event features dozens of marching bands, over 150 floats and hundreds of horses with entrants from around the world, and combines western themes with modern ones. Cowboys, First Nations dancers and members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in their red serges are joined by clowns, bands, politicians and business leaders
The 1985 Stampede downtown entertainment scene featured cow punk queen, k.d lang holding court in the Palliser Hotel’s Paralyzer Room with a $10 cover charge. Later that year, she won the Juno award for most promising newcomer and galloped down the aisle in workboots and a wedding dress to pick up her prize. The next year she was back at Stampede playing the Silver Dollar Show Room.
ABOVE: Mayor Mike Harcourt greeting Governor-General Jeanne Sauvier on the occasion of her visit for pre-Expo celebrations to Vancouver.
The Beefeater Band participated in the Calgary Stampede in the summer of 1985.
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This is their second appearance at the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena. Their first visit was in 1966.
186 - The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade
The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade CONTENTS FESTIVALS
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CONCERTS PARADES
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EXPO 86
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THE PASADENA ROSE BOWL PARADE Great music and the Rose Parade go together like a laugh and a smile. The marching bands at the Rose Parade are among the finest in America and the world. Many months of preparation, practice and competition among over 300 groups result in about 22 being chosen. The honour of marching in the Rose Parade’s “Celebration of Laughter” is truly serious business. The out-of-state and California bands participating in the parade have been selected by the Tournament of Roses Music Committee on the basis of achieving the highest standards of distinctive musicianship and show performance. Specialty bands are among the most popular and traditional performers in the Rose Parade. This year’s parade included the British Columbia Beefeater Band.
The band played for the first ever streaming of lights on the bridge as part of Expo 86 celebrations.
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Expo 86 Charles & Diana
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1986 Happiness is being invited to participate in the annual Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California, according to Gordon Olson, leader of Vancouver’s internationally known Beefeater Band. That’s what happened recently when Fred Johnson, President of the Tournament of Roses, visited Vancouver to invite the band to participate and speak to the members. The Vancouver youngsters will be watched by 145 million viewers of television around the world on January 1, 1986 – Expo year in Vancouver. What a perfect opportunity
for Expo 86 to be part of the parade as well. I know that a group of Vancouverites has been pushing for the past two decades to get Expo officials interested in sending a float to the parade in Pasadena and I wonder why the brass at Expo hasn’t been turned on to the idea. What terrific exposure we would get with 145-million people watching. We have the finest float designer in the world right here in Vancouver in Frank Mansueto and his company. Frank would jump at the opportunity to design and build a float for Expo.
ABOVE: This is their second appearance at the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena. Their first visit was in 1966. Premier Bennett will officially kick-off B.C. centennial celebrations with appearances at the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. In the course of a Southern California visit he’ll also try to drum up more business for the province’s tourist industry in 1966 with official visits to Santa Anita racetrack and Disneyland. Bennett is scheduled to leave Vancouver by air Dec. 29. On Dec. 30 he’ll be at Santa Anita for the running of a special B.C. handicap. On New Year’s Day he’ll take part in the Tournament of Roses Parade, which this year will have three-part official B.C. entry, and later in the day attend the Rose Bowl football game in Pasadena.
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Premier Bennett officially kicked-off B.C. centennial celebrations with appearances at the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena on New Year’s Day. The band was 86 out of 112 units.
188 - The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade
The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade
The parade this year is being seen live on television by many millions in Europe by way of transAtlantic satellite transmission. The premier will have as his supporting cast an 18-man RCMP mounted contingent, 115-piece B.C. centennial Beefeaters band from Vancouver,
and a flower-decked float 55 feet long carrying Miss PNE, who becomes Miss B.C. for the occasion, Lene Graaten of Parksville. Theme of the B.C. entry is the red carpet treatment which this province will extend to visitors during the coming year and in 1967 when the Canadian centenary is celebrated.
When Disneyland first opened its gates to the public in Anaheim, California, on 17 July 1955, the theme park boasted few of the rides that would later become iconic. There was no Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, no Haunted Mansion, not even It’s a Small World. But there is at least one Disneyland institution that has lasted from the theme park’s opening to this day: the Disneyland Band.
The premier will have as his supporting cast an 18-man RCMP mounted contingent and the 115-piece B.C. centennial Beefeaters band from Vancouver.
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Festival Disney is open to concert bands, jazz ensembles, marching (parade) bands, orchestras, and show choirs. And after your ensemble has spruced up their performance skills and gained a competitive edge, they get the opportunity to explore the magic of Walt Disney World® Theme Parks!
Achieve performance excellence at our all-Disney-produced competitive music festival. When you own the Disney stage, you own the world. Join Festival Disney and give your talented instrumental ensemble the chance to compete with other ensembles from schools across the country. As part of Disney Performing Arts, our team is extremely proud to be
Disney Youth Programs are unique, enriching experiences designed to engage young minds and show students the path to making dreams a reality.
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Your ensemble will entertain Disney Park guests from around the world with their vocal, instrumental or dance performance. Students develop character, camaraderie and confidence and even fine tune their performance skills with addon workshops led by entertainment professionals
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Disneyland
endorsed by the following very wellknown music education organizations: The National Association for Music Education endorses Disney Performing Arts. The GRAMMY Foundation® endorses Disney Performing Arts. Festival Disney events take place at a number of venues in and around the Walt Disney World Resort. Venues are listed as part of the festival schedule and maps/directions are included in the Festival Disney Handbook approximately six (6) weeks prior to the event. The Disney Difference Disney Performing Arts OnStage sets the standard by which all other performance opportunities are measured: Expose your ensemble to the highest level of performance and get a taste of showbiz, Disney-style. Teach teamwork and discipline while fostering
artistic growth at one of the world’s most high-profile venues. Elevate your students’ performance with optional workshops taught by entertainment professionals specializing in your discipline. This program meets standards set forth in the National Core Arts Standards.
Thanksgiving Parade of Bands Perform with the Boston Brass and other accomplished high school marching bands in a live webcast at a Disney Theme Park, featuring a professional announcer and a guest appearance by Mickey Mouse. An extravagant Thanksgiving dinner and an exclusive Theme Park afterhours party complete the experience.
Performance: Showcase your ensemble as they perform for Disney Park guests! Competitions and Festivals: Challenge your ensemble to excel in competitive and noncompetitive annual festivals. Workshops: Perfect your group’s craft with an entertainment professional.
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1986
Bandfest features the outstanding bands selected to participate in the 1986 Rose Parade. Over the course of two days, each band, along with its auxiliary performers, will present the field show that has led to its success. The Rose Parade known for its elaborate, flower-designed floats, is one of the biggest marching opportunities of the year. Known as America’s New Year Celebration, the Jan. 1 spectacle has a million
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spectators with tens of millions watching on television around the world. Selected bands have the opportunity to march in the six-mile parade, take a photo in front of the Rose Bowl stadium and perform with other bands in a three-day field show at Bandfest.
Bands are selected based on musical ability, marching skills, individuality and entertainment value. To be qualified, bands have to be able to perform field shows while marching in a parade block. Bands of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Geographic diversity is encouraged and bands from other countries participate as well. Why Bandfest? To experience the full splen-
Bandfest held at Pasadena City College Horrell Field on Monday, December 30, 1985 as part of the 97th Tournament of Roses
192 - The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade
The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade
dor of the field shows that won the competing bands the big awards which you cannot see if you only see them march in the parade. So the Tournament of Roses organizers created a separate pre-parade event to showcase the talents of these amazing marching bands. Three shows over two days give everyone a chance to see these talented musicians, dancers
and auxiliary performers in action, performing their full field routines that won them a spot in the parade. Bandfest is a fun family event that allows you to experience some of the excitement of the Tournament of Roses, without the need to get up at the crack of dawn, pay an arm and a leg to park and find a place on the sidewalk to watch. The Rose Parade bands are chosen 15 months in advance so the bands have time to raise the money for the trip to Pasadena. “Bands are selected by the Tournament of Roses based on a variety of criteria including musicianship, marching ability and entertainment or special interest value.”
Bands that have a long-standing arrangement to be in the parade include: *The Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band *The Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Band, *The Salvation Army marching band (89th appearance in 2009), *The United States Marine Corps marching band.
In 1891 , the Mo nrovia Town B and was the first musical group to perform in the R ose Par ade. In 1980 , the Gr ambling Marchin g Band w as the first HB CU ban d in vited to the R ose Bow l Parade and the first HB C U band to lead the para de.
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African American community.
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To much fanfare, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened Expo 86 on May 2, 1986. With 54 Nations, 12 Provinces/States, 14 corporate or specialized pavilions and the largest gathering of entertainment Vancouver had ever seen, the party began.
1986 194 - Expo 86
Eight years in the making, 54 countries participating and 15 million tickets sold: it all adds up to one buzzing, excited city. The National broadcasts live from Expo 86 as the Prince and Princess of Wales of-
ficially open Expo 86 to the world. Dreary weather can’t dampen Vancouver’s enthusiasm; the lines are long and the fair is bustling as soon as the doors open. For the next five months, Vancouver hosted the world ...
The popular royal and Prince Charles conducted a whirlwind eight-day tour of B.C. and lent a heaping dose of glamour to Expo 86’s opening ceremonies at B.C. Place.
Expo 86 in Vancouver - the arrival of PrinceCharles and Lady Diana
The 10-day visit to B.C. by Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, almost didn’t happen. Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth, had been invited to open Expo 86 and she had already accepted.
But the then-premier of B.C., Bill Bennett, concerned about attendance at an event crafted to put the province on the map, thought the fair needed the biggest possible burst of advance publicity. “He loved the Queen dearly but
he didn’t want her to open Expo,” wrote author Bob Plecas in Bill Bennett — a mandarin’s view, an insider’s account of those years. “The premier wanted the Prince and Princess of Wales. They were a hot property, especially Diana.” The “how” was accomplished with the assistance of a well-connect(cont. on page 199)
Of all the famous people who came to Vancouver for Expo, few had the star power and magnetism of the young Diana, Princess of Wales.
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Interviewer: Just probably in awe of the whole situation. Larry: Yeah. I mean, I think I got to stand in her receiving line, and she walked by. Interviewer: I think, she or Prince Phillip stopped and talked to Roger Owen. Larry: Roger Owen. Yeah. Interviewer: Okay. Got them in a picture. So, we know what they did. Larry: Wow. Yeah. That’s pretty crazy. During the Silver Jubilee, 1977, Right? Interviewer: Yeah. So, the Durban Military Tattoo in 1980. You’re both there because you’re in the picture. Larry: Yep. That was pretty phenomenal.
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Prince Phillip stopped and talked to Rodger Owens at the Royal Tournament.
Expo 86 Interviewer: Any thoughts? I got a little bit of text I need to put in there. Doesn’t really matter because the text is going to stream through. Ken: Sure. Interviewer:The trick is to try to get the text to coincide with where we are in the book. Ken: That’s right. Of course. Interviewer: In other words, you don’t want to be talking about the Melbourne Tattoo in the Durban Military section. But if you have to, you have to. But the Durban Military Tattoo, any thoughts other than the ordinary? Larry: Ha-ha. What a great trip. Because by that time, we’re all basically adult performers. So, we were like chaperones, coaches, Continued on page 198
The Durban Military Tattoo was fantastic!
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Expo 86
Interviewer: I am sure they kept you away to some degree. Larry: Yeah. I mean, we didn’t go into the townships obviously, but we did get into some of the rural areas and see Africa, you know, got down to Cape Town for a while. Interviewer:You were a bit of a piano player, I heard? Larry: Oh yeah. Interviewer: Serenading people when your dad was late. Ken: Well actually, I played piano, but I never actually played piano in the band. The bands have pianos, but you know. Interviewer: So you got away with a beard on that trip? You were supposed to be a kid. Ken: I did. Somehow <laugh> Interviewer: Must have known someone <laugh>. Larry: Yeah. So, one of the things about the South Africa Tattoo was the grand finale when all the bands came back out to play. They were using real artillery cannons. We did the 1812 Overture. And there was like 500 musicians playing, kind of a transcription of it, you know, like, so it’s not in its entirety, but it was a decent enough version. And there’s these cannons going off like, you know, shooting blanks obviously. But I mean, they had barrels that were huge. Continued on page 202 BELOW: The Vancouver College Jazz Band participated in the National Finals at Expo 86 as seen below with their director Mr. Olson.
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The National Stage band Finals were held in 1986 at Expo 86 in Vancouver. The best jazz ensembles from across Canada came and competed. The Best Senior High School Jazz Ensemble that year was Handsworth Jazz from North Vancouver directed by Bob Rebagliati and the runner up was D.W.Poppy in Langley led by Mark Kowalenko.
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The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade (Con’t. from page 195), ed British Columbian. Stu Hodgson, then the head of the governmentowned transit company, went way back with the Prince of Wales. Then the dilemma: “How do you uninvite the Queen?” During a defining term as commissioner for the Northwest Territories, Hodgson had squired Charles around the Canadian arctic. They’d bonded well enough that “Uncle Stu,” as the prince sometimes called him, was one of the few Canadians to be invited to the wedding of Charles and Diana. He’d sent his regrets on that occasion. But the personal connection remained strong enough for
exchange that saw her majesty graciously make way for Charles and Diana to open the fair on a 10-day visit to B.C. Plecas occupied a front-row seat during the visit in his capacity as senior civil servant in the ministry in charge of protocol and the designated provincial liaison on the royal visit. The federal representative having pulled rank and taken responsibility for Charles, left Plecas spending his time with Diana. “Sometimes,” as he puts it the book, “life is fair.” He was thereby present for the most dramatic moment of the visit when the princess, overcome by heat, crowds and a heavy sched-
ule of events, fainted. “Very gracefully,” to quote California Gov. George Deukmejian, who was escorting her on a tour of the state pavilion at the time. She recovered straightaway, though not quickly enough to head off a round of speculation in the ever-alert British press. To read the entire article by Vaughn Palmer in the Vancouver Sun go to: http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmerexpos-royal-visit-part-of-provinces-crowningglory
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses administers a selection process to determine which greater Pasadena-area young women will have the honor of being crowned Queen of the Tournament of Roses, or more commonly known as “Rose Queen”.
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1986
The lineup for the 97th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena: 1. U.S. Marine Corps Band. 2. “A Celebration of Laughter” by Small World Greetings. 3. Long Beach Mounted Police. 4. “Turning Tears to Laughter” by Rotary International. 5. Valley Hunt Club. 6. “The Sierra Madre Swimming Lesson” by City of Sierra Madre. 7. Conroe High School Marching Band. 8. “Texas Sesquicentennial” by Farmers Insurance Group. 9. Grand Marshal Erma Bombeck. 10. Porterville High School Marching Band. 11. “Merriment” by Sunkist Growers. 12. “Hanna-Barbera’s Laughing Place” by Al Malaikah Shrine Temple. 13. “Kings of Comedy” by Culver City. 14. Mililani High School Marching Band. 15. “And a Time To Laugh” by Lutheran Laymen’s League. 16. Tournament of Roses President Frederick D. Johnson Jr. 17. Tate High School Marching Band. 18. “Nature’s Clowns” by Eastman Kodak Co. 19. American Saddlebreds. 20. “Clownin’ Around” by City of Downey 21. Jamestown High School Band. 22. “Mission Viejo California Fiesta” by Community of Mission Viejo.
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The Grand Marshall for the 97th Tournament of Roses Parade was American humorist Erma Bombeck. She was 59 years old.
200 - The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade
The Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade Stuart Hamblen Family. 63. “Friday on the Freeway” by City of Santa Ana. 64. Pennsbury High School Marching Band. 65. “Comedie” by City of St. Louis. 66. Equestri-Annettes. 67. “Harmony Herd ‘Round the World” by Computerland Corp. 68. “Time for Tea” by Bakery, Confectionery & Tobacco Workers’ Union. 69. “Baskin-Robbins Celebration Salute” by Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Co. 70. White Horse Group. 71. “Bubble Trouble” by Cal Poly Universities. 72. McDonald’s All-America High School Band. 73. “High Hopes” by City of La Canada Flintridge. 74. International Andalusian Horse Assn. 75. “Barnyard Boogie” by Carnation Co. 76. Contra Costa Sheriff’s Posse. 77. “Tea for Two” by Bank of America. 78. “Ups and Downs of Rodeo Clowns” by City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 79. Las Cruces High School Marching Band. 80. “All the World Loves a Clown” by American Honda. 81. Martinez Family. 82. “The Big Pitch” by Dr Pepper. 83. Southern California Morgan Horse Group. 84. “Laughing All the Way” by Hilton Hotels/Conrad International. 85. International Side Saddle Assn. 86. “Expo ’86” by Vancouver Expo ’86. 87. British Columbia Beefeater Marching Band.
Each September, some 1,000 young women between the ages of 17 to 21 interview for the honor of serving as a member of the Tournament of Roses Royal Court.
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1988 Interviewer: These things were cannonballs while you were playing. Larry: No, no. They’re shooting blanks obviously. But they’re making a hell of a lot of noise. And I was like, 10, 15 meters away from one of these cannons. And the thing when it went off, it would just literally jump off the ground. The whole cannon would come off the ground and boom. Land down again. Like the concussion wave. And then the ground shaking afterwards when the cannons come back down it was like incredible. Interviewer: Doesn’t do that with the nine o’clock gun. They got it tied down for a good reason. Larry: Out of necessity. Interviewer: Imagine that as a tourist attraction. We won’t get into the sky hijacking Larry: That’s kind of a non-event. Interviewer: I got it. It’s in there. Anyway, somebody talked about it. So, the following year, 1981, 82 Calgary Stampede. I got a lot of text for some reason. I don’t know. Stacy gave me a whole bunch of wonderful pictures. Isn’t that a great picture? Larry: Stacy Burke
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The Vancouver College Band played Musicfest a few times, for sure. Dad knew Jim Howard well.
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Musicfest in Calgary Interviewer: Stacy Henderson in the band Larry: Yeah. Henderson, Interviewer: Stacy Burke. And yeah, she gave me a bunch of great pictures. Very colorful. Larry: That’s great. Interviewer: It’s how I classify pictures, but what can you tell me about the Calgary Stampede? Is there anything interesting about it? Larry: The Stampede is one of the most exhausting parades I remember. That’s for sure. Interviewer: So it must have been a bit of a downer after being in Durban the year before. Larry: Well, yeah, that’s true. Interviewer: Going into the Stampede. Larry: Yeah. Once we got used to doing things like international tours, things like the Stampede were just kind of, again we were well into our twenties by that time, so, you know, we just did them. Interviewer: We didn’t even do them in the Kits’ band anymore. We just lived from Europe to Europe to Europe every two years. I’m going to have to run text through most of these years. I got so many beautiful pictures that I had to lay it out so that I had room for text. What can you say about the Calgary Stampede? Doesn’t look like anybody showed up. What’s this welcome aboard account? It almost looks like a cruise ship, or it is, it looks like summer 82. Ken: It might have been one of theoe tour company sponsoring an event. Interviewer: So nothing in particular? Ken: Nothing in particular. Interviewer: I don’t even think it stands out, just thought I’d ask, hoping to be off to stream everything in. So now we’re in 83 and you’re back to the Royal tournament again, and the queen is, I don’t need any information. She was promoting Expo, obviously, and the Royal Tournament. Yes? And then the Governor General came to town only in 1985 and then 1986 and now we’re up to Expo, which was a big deal for everybody. Ken: It was indeed.
Expo was a big deal.
Interviewer: Bob Rebagliati had a great time with his bands. And you guys did, I got a little bit of, probably Atkins, I think was the drum major. Larry: Doug Atkins Interviewer: Just passed away. Larry: Really? Interviewer: Somebody emailed and said they had a bunch of material, and did I want it? I emailed them back and said yes. And I never heard anything, so, I don’t know. Larry: His mom and dad were chaperones on some of the tours. Doug and Norene. Interviewer: I thought he might have something interesting that I didn’t have. But on the other hand. Larry: I mean Norm. Al and Norm. Interviewer: The big events, everybody has the big pictures. That’s what I found, the same as in the Kit’s band. So, these are all of Vanessa’s photos. Okay. So, I need text. What can we say about Expo? Tell me what you remember, what Atkins said? Larry: What I remember is we were, at the opening ceremonies for BC Place Stadium. Ken :That was bigger. Larry: And that was the big event. There’s footage of that online and the Queen at that time. Interviewer: I’ve got the picture of that Larry: Crown Imperial Interviewer: So, they put this picture here, you’re on the ferry, I think. And they had a landscape bridge that had lights on it or something, and they put lights on it and, the premier, I think the BC government did. Anyway, that’s Premier Bennett. Larry: It’s Bill Bennett. Interviewer: He was on the ferry too, and they were going out. I think you guys were playing on the ferry. Larry: I don’t remember that. Interviewer: Was it some sort of a celebration or Expo and marking the lights on the bridge or something? Larry: I don’t know if we were on the ferry or if we were on a harbor cruise. Interviewer: Looks like a ferry. It would probably be a harbor cruise. I don’t think we get the ferry into the harbor. It would probably be a harbor cruise. Larry: I don’t know. I don’t remember anything about that. Continued on page 206
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1993 For many of the past 30 years, the best, the snappiest and the kindest thing the B.C. Lions did was take a break at halftime. Because as they disappeared into a tunnel at one end of the field, the Beefeater band would emerge from the other, 100 of them, walking tall and sure in those anachronistic uniforms, the backs straight, the knees pumping, the trombone slides making gleaming swoops, tubas burping, glockenspiels glocking. What a relief their precision was. Ever see a drummer fumble a stick in the end zone? Not when the Beefeaters were marching. Nor were the Beefeaters just a home field advantage. Their ranks, their music, reputation and ambassadorship grew threw the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, and took them around the world, all over North America, to Europe, South Africa, Australia, to the Edinburgh Tattoo, the Rose Bowl Parade, the 1964 World’s Fair in New York and Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee. North Vancouver businessman Al Lynch, a member of the Beefeater trumpet section from 1959 to 1965, recalls “The band let me see Canada from here to Prince Edward island and the eastern seaboard by bus and train. It was a way to learn about the world when television and videos weren’t around.”
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And now the Beefeater Band is 30 years old and on March 16 at the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse, they will gather up 30 years of alumni and distil 30 years of talent into one grand, bang-up night of music passed down through the generations. It may be the most terrific example of families finding something to hold them together in these dysfunctional times. The Bolgers will be there, dad Al and mom Lorraine on clarinets (they met as kids in the reed section) and their kids Kim, 20, on clarinet; son Glenn, 17, trumpet, and daughetr Anne, 15, trumpet. Disc jockey Rick Honey will emcee the reunion concert, as he did the 15th, because his daughter Jennifer is a band member. Honey points out, “When you get around town, it’s amazing how many doctors and lawyers and professional musicians came out of the Beefeater Band.” Al Lynch remembers that the late entrpreneur Gary Switlo was a Beefeater clarinetist and drum major and that pop singer-musician Howie Vickers once packed a Beefeater sousaphone. Whatever the eventual rewards were, Al Bolger says of the Beefeater experience, “It’s good to be good at something, and we were taught to be good.” Where did it begin? With an ad in the paper placed by a young Western Washington music graduate named Gordon Olson. He wanted to
The photo above is of a second reunion in 2002.
The Reunions recruit a band in Vancouver, so he advertised. The Sun music critis, Stanley Bligh, encouraged the project and Olson and his wife Louisa became the den parents for the Vancouver Junior Band. “I had the Junior band and Arthur Delamont had the Kitsilano Boys Band and it was a labor of love for both of us.” It was Joe Mogush, a former Bayshore Hotel Manager, who decided the band’s quality was way ahead of its name. “Call em Beefeaters,” he suggested. “Dress em up like Beefeaters. You’ll get famous.” Mogush was right, although the odd band member may have cursed his name a few miles into a hot day, decked out in the pure wool orange and balck rig of tighets, knickers, blouse, tunic top and skirt panels, topped with the distinctive, rosetted hat and bottomed out by clunky black shoes. The uniforms cost $700 apiece and have been let out, taken in and passed down to hundreds of players. Band members of all ages have been rehearsing for weeks for the reunion concert. Clarinet players are wondering if their fingers can get through the mazes of the First Suite in E Flat. Trumpet players have been rubbing lip salve on their tender chops the morning after a four-hour run-through. Gordon Olson, who can be a whipcracker when he hears offnotes, says, “Rehearsals have been wonderful, great cooperation from everybody. We will probably have 105 musicians in the mass band and it will be the Beefeaters at their finest.” Enough said. - Denny Boyd, Vancouver Sun
Our first reunion concert took place in 1993 and was a real big deal.
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Ken: There were a lot of small performances, small events at Expo. But they were small because you had done the big, huge event at BC Place. But despite that, all these smaller events still had their own merit. You were still going out and playing and there was always a good crowd. Always an appreciative crowd. And it was the whole experience with Expo 86 in the band, I think it provided a real strengthening of the connection between the band and the province and the life of the province. And in so many ways, Expo 86 did bring the whole province together. Interviewer: Oh for sure Ken: But all these smaller events, you know, doing a little photo op on the ferry or playing on a Wednesday afternoon or a Sunday evening on the Expo 86 ground. Always a nice event, always a place when you know you have a good crowd. Interviewer: And it went on for quite a while. I wasn’t here, I was teaching back at East. I didn’t come out for Expo. Ken: Where were you teaching? Interviewer: In Quebec and Manitoba. By then I was building a house in Quebec I left the college, BCS, for a year. I never went into teaching to be a career teacher. I didn’t see myself as being a 20 or 30-year teacher. But I wanted to try it and if it worked out that way, great. But, but it didn’t, it was, I didn’t like the politics. I just found the politics kind of stifling and, I was older when I went into it, so I had lots of options. And so, it’s all good, I enjoyed it. We did some fun things and loved the kids and loved the music Larry: You were teaching band? Interviewer: Yeah. I loved the kids, and I loved the music. If you could keep the administration away and other intrusions into your programs. Just wasn’t what I…. too much like Delamont, I guess. So, anything else about Expo? I got a little bit of text. It went on for about four or six months. It’s quite a long festival. You were there. Did you play? Were you working to play? Larry: Well see, I don’t remember much. I wasn’t living in Vancouver during 86. I came back for the summer. I remember being part of the opening ceremonies, and then I was playing on a cruise ship for six weeks during that year. So, I wasn’t around for all these performances. It’s probably why I can’t remember that ferry picture. Interviewer: Okay. Larry: Yeah. So how about you Ken? Ken: I was definitely around. But I wasn’t really involved with the band. Larry: Well, Claire was an infant. Ken: Yeah, you know, I had a family at that point. No, I think I actually did play a few times in Expo 86 as I recall filling in for a trumpet. Interviewer: Because that brings us to Music Fest, and neither of
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you, you weren’t here, and you were probably not playing in the Music Fest. To be the core group to be there. So, what am I going to put in here? Larry: I don’t remember there being a, there wasn’t a Beefeater group in Music Fest. That’s the Vancouver College jazz ensemble. Senior jazz band. Interviewer: But your dad must have, I mean if he took his Vancouver College jazz band into Music Fest a few times, because that’s all-jazz music fest. Obviously, he liked jazz. Larry: Back in those days, it was called something different. It was called the Canadian National Stage Band Festival. And then it became Music Fest Canada and included concert bands, choirs and so on, at a later date. Interviewer: The way you got into it was by winning three festivals somewhere else right? Larry: That’s right. You had to get into a quality qualifying festival. Ken: Yeah, that’s right. Interviewer:But I never thought of your dad as a jazz guy. Ken: Well, no. And I think it’s fair to say that his jazz education was pretty much focused within the Vancouver College environment. That’s why we see Vancouver College at Musicfest not the Beefeaters.. Interviewer: Your dad was a drummer? What was his principal instrument? Larry: Dad. He’s a euphonium player. Interviewer: That’s a good one to play. That’s good for the inner voices understanding how important they are. You know, same as Delamont, you know, always had a strong euphonium section, and liked to put kids he didn’t like on an alto horn. You’ve got to play the offbeats. I still got to put some text in here and I can’t find any. What I will have to do is revert to music fest and get the general information about what music fest, because people don’t know much about it. It’s a great picture. Ken: The connection really, as Larry was saying, there was always some crossover. So, there’d be young musicians here who were also in the Beefeaters, and that back-andforth piece happened a lot between Vancouver College and the Beefeaters in this timeframe during the eighties. Music fest, in the school programs at VC, that was a big focus. Larry: That was a big deal. Ken: Whereas the Beefeaters, you could say, they’re going to Europe or going to Chicago or Los Angeles. Interviewer: That’s why I was surprised to see him there actually. Delamont would never be in Musicfest. Ken:Those were big deals, but Music Fest provided a
good opportunity to get all your students, all these young musicians together in one place. In a school setting. If you wanted to take a trip, and this was different now than the community band. In the community band, if you went on a trip, everybody went. School bands, if you were going on a trip, some kids can’t go. You’re filling in some kids who can hardly play. They go because they can pay for the trip. So, the trips which are still a big magnet for enrollment are a deal. But music fest here in 86, that’s now an opportunity for a school-based ensemble. All the kids got to have a focus, to have a target. They’re working hard to get that goal. And music fest, they always did a good job. The grand concerts and big evenings… Larry: Great feature concerts, master classes… Ken : So, it was a good musical situation. Larry: That’s the idea. Interviewer: One would hope Larry: Yeah. But off the record, if you’d been to Music Fest before you could go anytime you wanted. You didn’t have to be qualified. Jim Howard would accept you by reputation Interviewer: Oh, okay. So, if he knew who you were, he didn’t have to look behind himself once in a while to make sure you were doing what you’re supposed to be doing, more or less. Okay. There’s another music that’s 88. Larry: Yeah. That was his last year at VC. Ken: That’s right. Larry: No. Wait, no. He went to Calgary and then in 1989 he went to Toronto. Interviewer: That’s Calgary. Larry Yeah. And then in his last year they went to Toronto. And then I ended up teaching some of these kids. There’s an Ex Beefeater, David Burn right there. Bass clarinet player. Interviewer: Well, I’ll have to come up with something to fill this text. Maybe I can find something on Google. I got a logo there. Gotta be creative now. Or I’ll have to stream some other information in. Now that pretty much brings us to the end of the book except for the reunions. And this is a Denny Boyd article about the 93 reunions, and thinking last night, because I need a picture, but I haven’t got one of 93, but I do have one of 2002. So, I’m going to put that picture here and I’m going to change this to the reunion, and we’re done. Ken: Okay. Lovely. That’s sounds good. Interviewer: Well you know, you got to keep your options open, and when the options shrink, then you kind of bundle it together, so that gives us about two hundred pages. Larry: Brilliant. Ken : Brilliant indeed. Interviewer: There’s a 71 you went on, that was your first trip. I think.
Larry: Yeah. A lot of bus rides. Interviewer: Well, so in the end I guess, ydo ou want to sum up your whole Beefeater experience? You have already several times in the interview, so take another stab at it. Larry: I don’t know, I didn’t appreciate at the time how wonderful it was to be part of it because, you know, it was part of being part of the family, it was just like; this is what we did every day. But later in life you realize what a gift he gave to everybody that was a member of that band Interviewer: After you got away from it a bit. Larry: Oh yeah. Ken: So true. Interviewer: Was it ever offered to you to carry on? Larry: Well, you know, I don’t think it was something that, of course he would’ve wanted us to do that, but it wasn’t a sort of a sustainable way to make a living and… Interviewer: It wasn’t a given. You weren’t being groomed. Ken: No, I mean, it was… Larry: That option was always on the table, but he had to work so hard to keep this going and work full time at Van College and I couldn’t see myself doing that. Interviewer: But the conversation was never really Larry: Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, as he got older, you know Interviewer: You both kind of realized, and your dad, all your family realized that it wasn’t going to happen for all the various reasons. Ken: As we said earlier, when dad started teaching full-time at Vancouver College and running the Beefeaters, it was incredibly busy. At that time, we were growing, we were adults at that point. Larry: We already had our own careers going. Ken: Even though it was just him and mom, it was still a huge undertaking to try to get all that organized. And as I say, I started teaching at SDM in 83. To put it in context, that was something my dad was very positive about it. Well, Larry went to U of S to teach percussion. Interviewer: What was he positive about? Ken: About my taking on a full-time music teaching job in the school. And I think there was a perception, and we were talking about this before, the community band was yielding to the school band in so many ways. And so, the writing was kind of on the wall. Larry: Yeah. And where I really took over from my father was at Vancouver College. Ken: Exactly. Interviewer: So in other words, he had that covered Larry: The legacy was passed on in that way, through the college.
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Interviewer: Through the college. Well also the fact that the Beefeaters ended when the Lions didn’t want to basically have the Beefeaters anymore. Larry: It’s not that they didn’t want to have it anymore. Our parents got too old to do it. Interviewer: No, but didn’t the Lions organization decide to end it when you moved to the stadium? Larry: No. That kept going as long as they wanted it. Interviewer: Oh, so the Beefeaters could have carried on if there had been, if your dad was 20 years younger. Larry: Oh, absolutely. Interviewer: I didn’t know that. Someone told me, I thought that the Lions wanted a change of venue. They decided they didn’t want the Beefeaters. Larry: No, that’s completely fictional. Interviewer: Okay. So, it wasn’t anything to do with the Lions? Larry: No. Interviewer: Okay. Larry: That was part of the tradition, right? We performed at Lion Games well into the BC place days. Interviewer: Into the BC place days. Larry: Yeah, we continued performing Lion Games in BC Place Stadium. I mean, after the Empire Stadium days. Interviewer: Right? Yeah. For how long? Larry: Well, I don’t know, probably into the nineties. Early nineties. I mean, we were involved with half time entertainment for a little while down there. Interviewer: But it was harder to get kids and harder to, and your dad was getting... Ken: See, this was the big, the football idiom. When you think about it, you’ve got a huge stadium. You got to have a lot of bodies on the field. If you want to do a marching band thing, you need to have least 60 or 70 people on the field. Larry: Absolutely. Ken: And it was a declining number that really dictated, you know, there’s a point where you just got to say, well, it’s just not something we can do anymore. Larry: Yeah, by the time the Beefeater band finally came to an end in those last years, when we did performances, it was all veterans on callback for hotel conventions. Interviewer: So that was, was that around 93? Larry: Yeah. -Ish. Interviewer: When, when the first reunion concert came, Larry: It would be around that time. Interviewer: So, we can figure then 93, when you had that first reunion, it was sort of at the end of the band at
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that point. Larry: Around that time. Close enough. Interviewer: I’m glad you told me that because I haven’t really had any conversation about any of this with the football club, but if it does come up and they want to sponsor it, I don’t want to turn around and say that they’re responsible for canning the band. Larry: No, don’t say that. Interviewer:That was my impression. Even Dale mentioned that when I talked to him recently. So, we want to put that in the book, we want to make that clear. Larry: We do. Interviewer: It’s important, I think. Why, I don’t know, but I think it’s important. It’s the way it happened. Well, I mean it was already on the wall. These guys, Delamont and your dad and I mean, they were all, they couldn’t carry on. Dela mont died in 82. What did him in was his son died the year before, but he was still 90. He died at 91, I think, he was getting too old. But they were used to going on forever. They were dinosaurs, going on until… Larry: I’m amazed dad was able to carry on for as long as he did. Interviewer: So was he healthy to the end? No major health problems? Obviously, well enough to carry on. You know what I mean? And your mom. Ken: They, you know, I mean, once you get to a certain point in life, things turn against you. Interviewer: You can’t run 25 miles a day to keep your brain active anymore But you know. Well, he had a good life. He gave you guys a good life, Ken: He gave us a good life. We had a great family life. Interviewer: And you guys kept it going for quite a while. You know, you kept the legacy alive. That’s one of the things about Delamont’s son Gordon who was brilliant musically, but they didn’t get along. He moved back to Toronto to get away from his dad in 1937, and Delamont sort of never forgave him. That’s Delamont. He was very narcissistic that way. Well, anything you want to end on? Larry: I would just like dad to be remembered as the phenomenal inspiration that he was to so many people that went on to become professional music teachers and professional musicians. Failing that, everybody carried fond memories with some evidence by all the pictures, all the contributions you’ve been able to gather, and the Facebook page and everything. But he was also a great family man, you know, like he was really, really, busy with this band all the time, but somehow every summer he found a way to get us up to Cultus Lake. And you know, he
bought a boat when I was seven. We still have a boat today. Interviewer: You have a cabin at Cultus Lake? Larry: No, that was kind of an extended family venture that ended by one of the extended family, sadly. But we still did stuff like that. Interviewer: Any thoughts about Dal Richards? Ken: It was a collaboration. Interviewer: Well, thank you, uh, gentlemen.
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THE COMMUNITY MUSIC BOOK PROJECT The COMMUNITY MUSIC BOOK PROJECT brings together photos, programs and editorial on your music program and creates a book. It then compiles an alumni & friends group who purchase the book when the book is completed. The proceeds go to support your music program. This Beefeater book is the second book to be compiled (2022) and published through the Community Music Book Project. Besides the Community Music Book Project we have the SCHOOL MUSIC BOOK PROJECT. Handsworth Secondary School in North Vancouver was the first school to have two books published on its award winning program this year 2022. Over the next five years we have an ambitious plan to publish 100 more books on school music programs all over British Columbia, each with an alumni group of 1000, advocating for music education. To discover more about the fantastic benefits for your program from being a part of our MUSIC BOOK PROJECTS you can find us at www.thearthurdelamontfoundation.com or at www.communitymusicbookproject.com