Last updated: October 1, 2008

Formed in the spring of 1954 by a group of interested parents under the inspired leadership of Lloyd McMullen and Earl and Muriel Kennedy, the LINDSAY BOYS BAND soon became a part of the life of the town.

Frank Banks

Financial difficulties did not deter the Executive from engaging Frank Banks of Hanover, Ontario as Bandmaster in the fall of 1954, a move which was probably the biggest single factor in the ultimate success of the Band.

Another very significant event in these early days was the decision of the Lindsay Kinsmen Club in February 1955 to give financial support to the Band. This took off some of the financial pressure, and at this time the Band was re-named the LINDSAY KINSMEN BOYS BAND.

The Mothers' Auxiliary was (and continued to be) very active in financial support through Tag Days, Rummage Sales, Bridge Parties, Quilt Raffles and other fund-raising efforts. It was through this (with the help from the fathers too) that the first uniforms were purchased in time for the Victoria Day Fireworks Parade in May 1956.

Up to this time, all instrumentalists had been boys, with girls parading as majorettes, but girls were admitted to the Band in early 1956, first to play glockenspiel, then flute, and ultimately many other instruments.

The LINDSAY KINSMEN BOYS AND GIRLS BAND soon became very active in Lindsay and surrounding communities. Its first regular concert was given at the Lindsay Collegiate Auditorium in February 1956, and it participated in Fall Fairs, Dedication Ceremonies, Canada Day parades and Santa Claus parades from Minden to Markham and points between. Individual members and the Band as a whole participated in Music Festivals and won many awards. This type of activity became a tradition with the Band over the next many years and continues to this day (1999).

In May 1957, over 400 people attended a Free Concert which the Band put on at the Collegiate Auditorium as a 'thank you' to the citizens of Lindsay for their support. At this time the Band had 95 members, with 54 taking part in the Concert.

Over the next several years, the Band continued regular activities such as the Annual Concert, summertime parades in Lindsay and elsewhere, Fall Fairs and Santa Claus Parades, plus of course, involvement in Music Festivals. The Mothers' Auxiliary went from strength to strength with imaginative fund-raising events, and through sheer hard work rendered immensely valuable support without which the Band would not have been so successful. The first big trip came in August 1958 when the LINDSAY KINSMEN BAND (its new title) visited Ottawa and Shawinigan on its way to take part in the Tattoo at Trois Rivieres, Quebec.

1962 Calgary Stampede

In the summer of 1960, the Band performed in North Bay, Englehart, Iroquois Falls, Timmins, New Liskeard and Kirkland Lake -- an ambitious swing through Northern Ontario. This was a warm-up for a truly major undertaking -- the trip to Calgary in July 1962 for the Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Kinsmen Club paid the train fare, but everything else, including new white uniforms, had to be paid for by the Band. There was tremendous public interest, and a generous contribution of funds from people and organizations in Lindsay. With the usual assistance from the parents, the money was raised. The Band was a huge success in Calgary (judged the best in the parade) and the Town of Lindsay was justifiably proud, greeting the Band on its return with a grand parade.

The next major trip was to the New York World's Fair in 1965 where the Band played two concerts at the United States Pavilion, and in 1967, there was a five-day trip to Montreal for EXPO 67, where five concerts were performed. The Band went to Montreal again in 1969, this time for the Grey Cup Parade.

New green uniforms were purchased in 1970, and in 1972 fifty-eight (58) band members made the longest trip yet -- to Edmonton for Klondike Days. Successful performances were followed by sightseeing in the Rockies, and the Band returned in triumph after a 14-day absence.

1973 and 1974 featured trips to the Quebec Summer Games in Rouyn-Noranda and Valleyfield. In 1975, there was a six-day trip to Winchester, Virginia for the Apple Blossom Festival. This is a big event, which attracts 200,000 people, and our Band was the only Canadian one in the parade.

Walt Disney World

To the U.S. again in 1976, this time to Disney world as featured band in 'America on Parade'. The Band also dropped in on Frank Banks' father in Atlanta for his l03rd birth-day!!

Speaking of Frank Banks, our popular Bandmaster was named Citizen of the Year in 1977, an honour richly deserved.

Another 'first' came in 1978 when the Band made its first plane trip -- a return visit to Edmonton for 'Klondike Days'. Eighty people went and the total cost was $25,000. A good thing prodigious fund-raising efforts were still going on!

Another trip to the Winchester Apple Blossom Festival took place in 1979, and the Band's promotional literature at that time boasted 'six different uniforms suitable for any occasion'.

Jack Clarke

Bandmaster Frank Banks retired in August 1980 at the age of 73 after twenty-six years with the Band, having taught literally hundreds of children to play an instrument. He continued to serve the Band as a teacher/instructor for several years. Jack Clarke retired at the same time, having served twenty years as Drum Major.

Dr. James Gayfer was appointed Bandmaster in September 1980, and sometime later Paul Skipworth became Drum Major. 1982 saw a trip to the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1983, Dr. Gayfer resigned as Bandmaster.

Jack Nevins was appointed as the new Bandmaster. There were 77 members in the Band in 1986, and in addition to filling twenty engagements, a very successful trip to Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick was made. After several more successful years, Jack Nevins resigned in June 1989.

Randy Read was engaged as Bandmaster but declining membership at this time forced a reduction in the number of engagements accepted. The Band still participated, however, in local parades, and also visited Peterborough, Port Hope, Bolton, and other locations.

Mike McVeety was appointed Bandmaster in September 1991, and the Band continued to accept limited engagements while building up the number of players. The Executive continued to explore new ways of raising money, and new uniforms were provided.

In 1992 Dennis Ullman was appointed Drum Major. To end the season, the band took a trip to Erie, PA. and learned to appreciate the joys of sleeping on a hardwood barn floor.

By May 1993 the membership was up to 43 from a low of 25 in 1991. The Band played three concerts at the Ottawa Tulip Festival in May 1993 (where the band spent the night in a converted jail house), and up to December of that year had also participated in seven Santa Claus parades, four Fair parades and played several concerts at local nursing homes.

With 54 members in November 1993, increased public awareness and a solid financial base, the Executive was able to plan, with confidence, the 40th Anniversary Celebration in 1994. Thanks to the Nickerson's and many other helpful hands, all celebrated a most memorable and enjoyable 40th Anniversary in May of 1994.

During the summer of 1994, the Band travelled to Quebec and had a "Whale" of a time, including whale watching and overeating. In July of 1995, the band once again attended, by invitation, the Klondike Days Celebrations in Edmonton, Alberta where they competed against other national and international bands. Shortly after this, Mike McVeety resigned to pursue other endeavours.

Fortunately, for the LKB, there has never been a shortage of great leaders and Dennis Ullman was appointed Bandmaster in 1995-1996. The band numbers continued to increase and Dr. Jim White was engaged to work with the older members, providing a wonderful opportunity for musical growth. During Dennis' tenure, the band returned to Erie, PA. for another enjoyable engagement and the Lindsay Kinsmen Band continued to participate, by invitation, in parades all over Ontario, including the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, often returning yearly to the same venues.

In 1997, Leslie Ogilvie became the new Band Director and John Oosterbroek, returned to offer his musical experience as an instructor. Larry Murphy joined the team as Drum Major and Joe Nickerson as Assistant Drum Major. This team carried the band through the 97/98 season. As happens sometimes in groups like this, there were an unusually large number of senior members who graduated and moved on at the end of the 97/98 season.

In September 1998, with only 17 members, (9 returning and 8 new) the band was faced with some new and considerable challenges. David Morrison was appointed as Band Director. With such a small ensemble, the band executive decided to focus on concert performances instead of marching in parades for the year. The band participated in several joint concerts with the Lindsay Collegiate Ensembles at the Academy Theatre and in some community concerts such as the CNIB Telethon, an AIDS Awareness Benefit and a benefit concert for Camp Chrysalis, a camp for families impacted by HIV and AIDS. By June the band had grown slightly to 23 members. Also during this year, the band relocated to LCVI in an arrangement that saw both the band and school benefit from a sharing of space and equipment.

During the summer of 1999, the band travelled to Camp Kinark for a year-end retreat. Band members, parents and instructors used this time for team building and as well tested their skills in rock climbing, kayaking, high wire crossing and much more. Music Camp 1999 was another new and very successful addition to the LKB's repertoire. Fifteen young people spent two weeks of their summer learning to play an instrument. All of these students finished Music Camp with their Level 1's and an enjoyable concert performed on the last day of camp - a testament to a very successful camp! In fact, the summer music camp has now become an annual event and is enjoyed by both current and new members.

In September of 1999, with registration at 48 members it was clear that the band was growing again and the band executive decided that it was important to create a long-range plan for the organization. With the help of Harry Vlachos, the band created a plan that focused on three specific areas: Music and Marching, Band Culture and Band Administration. Marching in Tune with our Community became our motto and the band set out to find an individual to act as an administrator to take care of everyday operations. Rick Johnson, a professional musician himself, fit the role perfectly and joined the team in May of 1999. Also joining the team for the 99-00 year was musical instructor Steve Quackenbush.

Signal Hill, St. John's, Nfld

In the summer of 2000, the band travelled to Newfoundland. Performing at the Kelligrew Soiree and on Signal Hill with the Tattoo was a huge success and a wonderful way to mark the millennium. What could have been better than celebrating the millennium in the newest province to join Confederation with some of the oldest traditions in the country? Aside from the performance opportunities, the trip allowed band members the opportunity to experience Newfoundland culture and hospitality at it's finest.

The fall of 2000 saw another jump in numbers with a registration total of 63. At this point the band was right back into a full schedule of marching engagements, starting with the Lindsay Fair Parade and a 10 parade Christmas season including the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. At this time Sheri Brenneman and Eric Smeaton joined the instruction team as Steve Quackenbush moved on to other pursuits.

In 2001 the executive started what has now become a tradition, by having a retreat weekend at Camp Kinark in October. This allowed the band members both new and old to get acquainted in an atmosphere of activity and fun. The Christmas Parade season went very well with Mr. Bill Beatty leading the band on the street and David Morrison, Eric Smeaton and Sheri Brenneman giving musical instruction. The band continued to perform community engagements and Christmas and fair parades throughout the year. The year was capped off in fine style with a trip to Sudbury and North Bay where the band performed in a Canada Day parade and enjoyed such touristy things as a visit to Science North.

In the summer of 2002, the band received a Trillium grant of $33,000 from the provincial government to purchase much-needed instruments and uniforms. After another successful summer music camp the Band kicked off the 2002/2003 year in a new direction.  Lisa McEntee was hired in September 2002 as our Drum Major.  Lisa brought an extensive background in music and marching bands through her experience with the Burlington Teen Tour Band.  Along with Dave Morrision, Lisa coordinated the marching with the music and brought the Lindsay Kinsmen Band to the next level.   There were 24 band members that year and following another successful retreat to Kinark the Band concentrated on a busy Christmas parade season, with 10 parades including the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.. Also during the Christmas season, the band hosted a seasonal concert called "Kinsman Band and Friends" and invited bands from Dr. George Hall P.S., Central Senior P.S., Leslie Frost P.S. and Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute to perform.

In the new year the band performed for the second time at the Fenelon Falls Old Winter Games. The performances were fund-raisers for the local United Way Campaign. In April the Band competed in the Peterborough Kiwanis Music Festival and with the help of our new Drum Major the Band began work on their 1st field show, which they performed as part of their year end trip to the Burlington Marching Band Festival .

In 2004 the Band celebrated their 50th year and as part of the ongoing celebrations they started to work on a year end trip to Calgary.  There were 48 band members that year and our "Calgary Trip" went from July 8 - July 15, 2004.  We marched in the Calgary Stampede Parade and performed throughout Calgary including a field show at Spruce Meadows in Calgary.   This trip was the highlight for many band members, staff and parents.

In June 2005, Dave Morrison retired as our Band Director having contributed 9 years of excellent leadership and dedication, which is, after all, the "LKB way".   With his retirement, Lisa McEntee took on the added responsibilities of Band Director along with Drum Major

In July 2005, the Band traveled to Belleville and participated in the Belleville Waterfront Festival.

In 2005-2006 the Band performed in 11 parades: Vaughan, Orangeville, Newmarket, Toronto, Fenelon Falls, Westin, Peterborough, Coboconk, Bobcaygeon, Little Britian and Kinmount. In July we were invited to perform in Aurora’s Canada Day Parade, which we followed up with a fun trip to Brampton and Wild Water Kingdom.

For the next two years, 2007 and 2008, the Band operated on a limited scale due to reduced membership.  We marched in a number of local parades in City of Kawartha Lakes and area including the Peterborough Santa Claus Parade.  In 2008 we ended our season with a performance for the Kinsmen Club Convention in Peterborough.

After 6 years with the Band, Lisa McEntee retired in 2008 as our Band Director and Drum Major.  She had a strong commitment to the Band and provided effective leadership in combining music and marching.

Beginning in the summer of 2008, the Band embarked on an extensive advertising campaign and we are hopeful that the 2008-2009 season will be a re-building year for the Band, and we will be continuing our 54+ year tradition.

Currently, the Lindsay Kinsmen Band Executive is led by Michael Warren, Administrator, and our team of instructors led by Laurel Campbell

What stands out the most in the history of the LINDSAY KINSMEN BAND, is the great dedication of Bandleaders, Drum Majors and Teachers, and the enthusiastic participation of our young and not-so-young players with the unfailing support of band parents under the leadership, over so many years, of competent and hard-working Executives and Auxiliaries. Without all this effort and dedication, the success of the LINDSAY KINSMEN BAND would not have been possible.

Lindsay Kinsmen Band 2003