The Barrie Central Collegiate Band

1923

(Taken from 1926 school Yearbook)

The Collegiate Band of Barrie held its first rehearsal on December 17, 1923. The movement was begun by the formation of a large school orchestra, but this group was badly instrumented. The plan of having a school band was introduced by the local bandmaster, Mr. Boyd Sylvester.

It was quickly supported by the Principal of the Collegiate, Mr. Girdwood, and as a result the band was organized. Previous to this the town had been scouted by the former two men for old instruments and a few were obtained. As soon as the band was seen to be a success by the citizens, some parents offered to buy instruments themselves to procure places for their sons in this musical body, but most of the instruments were purchased out of funds raised by the Literary Society.

Noon-hour rehearsals are held in the school auditorium each day except Wednesday and Saturday, and morning practices take place in the band room during the summer vacation. The Wednesday noon practice has been taken over by the newly-formed orchestra under the personal direction of Mr. Sylvester, In the whole organization there are fifty-five members; thirty play out regularly with the band and the remaining form a beginners’ class. Each year new recruits are added and the band is steadily increasing in number. Soon, it is hoped, there will be an attendance of seventy-five boys.

Boys between the ages of eleven and eighteen are eligible for a place in the band. Playing in the band does not impede the student’s progress in school studies, as was shown by the Principal’s report to the School Board. The band members form only eight per cent of the attendance, yet they captured thirty-three per cent of the school honours. Thus being a band member does not interfere with one’s studies.