The Barrie Central Collegiate Band

(Taken from The Barrie Examiner: 1943)

In 1937 William Allen Fisher came to the Collegiate staff as a teacher of English and history, but Barrie was soon to learn that he was equally adept in teaching the universal language of music. Seven pupils turned out for the first practice when it was announced that an orchestra would be organized, a modest beginning to a story that reads like a fairy tale. From this group there developed a 40-piece symphony orchestra which in 1939 and again in 1940 performed full-length symphonies to thrilled Barrie audiences.

The martial influence of the war, along with several other considerations, led in 1939 to the organizing of a band, and gradually the orchestra gave way to the new plan, the place of the strings being taken by a fuller woodwind section. The band, Mr. Fisher is careful to point out, retaining its symphonic character, has always been termed a concert band.

W. ALLEN FISHER

Born in Cobourg, Ontario in 1905, William Allen Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History at Queen's University, as well as a specialist certificate in school music teaching. Between 1931 and 1936, Fisher taught English and History and pioneered instrumental music in several Ontario schools.

While head of the Barrie Collegiate Institute History and Music Departments (1937-71), he founded in 1939 the Barrie Central Collegiate Band, which he conducted until his retirement in 1972. He recieved the Fred L. Bartlett Memorial Award for outstanding work in public school education in Ontario in 1972. In 1974, Fisher was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada. A specialist in the history of Huronia, Fisher wrote and published The Genesis of Barrie in 1987.

Fisher is listed in The Canadian Encyclopedia of Music and was affectionately known as "W.A." by his students. Concepts of discipline, pride in achievement, excellence, and a love of making music are but a few of the gifts he gave his students. W.A. Fisher passed away in 1989.

Dunlop Street Parade

The Barrie Collegiate Band: 1948

Marching at Queen's Park in Barrie

Dunlop Street West at the "Five Points" in Barrie

Don Wiley Band 1948
(front: Earl Winter, Don Wiley, Don Bates, Ron Keast
back: Harry Rogers, Archie Barth, Hartley Tuck)

Earl Winter

1953

1956

1958