The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, May 5, 2016 | 34 John Bkila Editor jbkila@oakvillebeaver.com Oakville Wind Orchestra caps 150th milestone OWO celebrates being `Canada's oldest continuously-operating community concert band' by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" F ew concert bands can say they're older than Canada, but the Oakville Wind Orchestra (OWO) sure is. It's doubtful Capt. R.B. Albertson of the 20th Halton Infantry knew the concert band he formed in 1866 would survive 150 years later, reincarnated as the OWO. Or that it would carry the mantle of Canada's oldest "continuously-operating community concert band." The infantry, which was the predecessor to the Lorne Scots, had just returned from the Battle of Fort Erie -- a response to the Fenian Brotherhood occupation of the township, OWO president Stephen Williams told the Oakville Beaver. Upon its return, it was commissioned as the Regimental Band and its first duty involved the official launch of the 200-tonne schooner The White Oak (built by Duncan Chisholm) at the Oakville Shipyards on Dominion Day (July 1, 1867). It was there people witnessed the Oakville Concert Band's first performance. "... By all accounts, he (Albertson) was tireless in his efforts. He quickly set about the acquisition of instruments and rehearsal space, so that his charges would be ready and able to bring music to the celebrations on a day that would prove to be so important to every man, woman and child in Canada," Chris Arthurs, OWO musical director, wrote about the history behind the orchestra on the band's website. "When I look at these musicians (referencing a photo from 1867), I am struck by the fact that everything changes while it still remains the same. I guess I stop in my tracks because I know that we all feel, in some eerie way, we had better not let them down. It always takes me a few seconds to remember that the responsibility is truly exhilarating." The original Oakville Concert Band had around a dozen musicians -- now, the OWO has grown to 45 members This photo, dated July 1, 1867, shows the Oakville Concert Band, formed by Capt. R.B. Albertson of the 20th Halton who continue to entertain local audi- Infantry in 1866, which would later become the Oakville Wind Orchestra. The concert band celebrates its 150th anences and bring concert music to town niversary this year and being "Canada's oldest continuously-operating community concert band." | photo courtesy 150 years later. Oakville Wind Orchestra "It gives us, speaking as part of the OWO's anniversary spring concert, 150 playing concerts in the park and in front of orchestra... a lot of pride that the orchestra has sustained for this length of time Years on the Sixteen, at the Oakville Centre people's front lawns in "Old Oakville." "We sort of go back to our roots during and the fact that it's something we commit for the Performing Arts, the local band not ourselves to -- it's a non-paying gig, it's all only received congratulatory letters from the summer season at Coronation Park volunteer, a community-based orchestra," Mayor Rob Burton and Prime Minister Jus- when we do our six free concerts there -- said Williams, who has been playing tenor tin Trudeau, but the Mayor also proclaimed every Tuesday in July and the first two Tuesdays in August," said the Oakville resident. saxophone since he was 14 years old and has May 1 as Oakville Wind Orchestra Day. "It's always nice to get that sort of recogniIn addition to its outdoor Coronation Park been with the OWO for the past six years. Summer Concert Series, which kicks off on "It's quite an accomplishment," he contin- tion," said Williams. Comprised of saxophones, flutes, clari- July 5, the OWO plays the Oakville Mayor's ued. "Concert band music is alive and well.... nets, trombones, tubas and percussion, the Historical Picnic (this year on June 12), as Having the longevity and the support of the OWO mostly includes members from Hal- well as Christmas and spring concerts. ton (half of which are from Oakville) and The local band also takes on a philanTown and our sponsors is a great thing." Sponsorship of the Oakville Concert Band some from the surrounding area, according thropic role when it hosts a food drive for a performance during its summer concert was assumed by the Town of Oakville in to its president. Williams said the original concert band series -- this year, it will be on July 26. 1881 and continues to this day. In fact, last Sunday (May 1), during started off as an outdoor performance group, see Secret on p.35 Big Movies... small mall Prices! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville General: $8.50 Children (3-13): $6.50 seniors (65+): $6.50 tuesdays: $5.00 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @FilmCaCinemas Captain aMeriCa: Civil War (pG) May 6th Money Monster (stC) May 13th the anGry Birds Movie (pG) May 20th aliCe throuGh the lookinG Glass (stC) May 27th X-Men: apoCalypse ypse (stC) May 27th