Following a busy week that included performing for the re-lighting of the the SS Manitoba, and kicking off the evening entertainment for Canada Day at Kelso Beach Park, the Owen Sound City Band, directed by Julia Richards, begins its Summer Monday Concerts in the Park Series Monday July 3rd, starting at 7:30, in beautiful Harrison Park.

The music this summer, in recognition of the celebration theme, is very Canadian, with a little international flavour sprinkled throughout. The repertoire includes Sketches of Canada - an eclectic medley of folk songs entitled The False Young Man, the Maid on the Shore, and Bold Wolfe. The Theme for Hockey Night in Canada is another favourite, along with Gene MacLellan's Put Your Hand in the Hand, and a signature tune from the band Lighthouse "One Fine Morning".
There is always some Dixieland music, and a march or two. Also of note this year are many songs with a connection to water, including Les Raftsmen, Smoke on the Water, and Moon River. Listeners this summer will be able to hear a musical tribute to Prince, selections by Tom Jones, I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables, Uptown Funk, and the iconic British folk song Early One Morning.

Adding to the Canadian component, the City Band, closing in soon on its own centennial, will be performing Hagood Hardy's The Homecoming, Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, and the Huron Carol, along with Bobby Gimby's 1967 theme, Canada - A Centennial Song.

Created in 1920, the City Band has many fine instrumentalists who can be heard in occasional solos, but some of these busy volunteer musicians are also accomplished singers and will be featured from time to time on the Bandshell. The historic Harrison Park Bandshell, constructed in 1936, really does act like a Seashell and has been known to project the sounds from there along the Sydenham River, the water surface seeming to carry the music all the way to the Jubilee Bridge and beyond.

The Owen Sound City Band is one of the longest continuing City Bands in Ontario, and included this summer will be the Chatham Kilties March, a signature tune by Charles Frederick Thiele, who established the Waterloo Music Company, from which much of the City Band's extensive music library was purchased. The province will also be saluted with the pieces Celebrate Ontario, and A Place to Stand - Ontariarario.

The City Band will also be busy next weekend with the City's waterfront festival kick-off and for Riverfest.

The Summer Monday Concerts in the Park series has grown in popularity with residents and tourists alike. Lawnchairs are recommended. Concerts continue each Monday in July starting at 7:30PM, and on the last three Mondays in August, starting at 7:15PM. New players are always welcome in the City Band, and for more information please visit owensoundcityband.org

(photos by Gary Murphy)