Music on the Waters

Back in the heydey of the Great Band era, Bigwin Inn was THE place to be. A close second, thanks to the builder of Bigwin and the owner of the Huntsville Tannery, Charles Orlando Shaw, was Huntsville itself. C.O. Shaw formed and managed the Anglo-Canadian Leather Company Band. Himself an avid cornet player, C.O. took huge delight in his band. Workers applying for the (filthy, difficult and stinking) work in the tannery, were often asked if they had any musical skills to bring with them. Described as 'one of the finest industrial plant bands in the world', it toured very little -- only in Southern Ontario, and was a fixture at the CNE for over 10 years.
Paul Tapley was a member for a short time, proudly wearing a borrowed uniform, and tootling on his trumpet. Rosemary recalled one parade where, marching Main Street in a uniform that didn't quite fit, Paul's zipper began to slowly slide... Ah, history...

Now, while C.O.'s band is just memory, Huntsville and Muskoka are privileged to have other local concert bands, keeping alive a proud and beautiful musical tradition.

The Muskoka Concert Band was at Dwight recently, with an open air concert. They will be back in Lake of Bays on August 16th at the Baysville Antique Boat Show.

Formed in 1959 under Lyn Sargeant's direction, this band is now celebrating their 50th anniversary. Neil Barlow is currently the man with the baton. With close to 50 members, and playing over 15 concerts a year, this is a great way to get your "fix" of Big Band sound.