Goderich Laketown Band Celebrates 50 Years

At 3:00 PM on April 30th, the Goderich Laketown Band presented their 50th Anniversary concert at the Lakeshore United Church in Goderich. Starting off the concert was the talented group Duo Percussion, who provided a very entertaining set featuring performances on everything from marimba's to tambourines. Their high energy and driving rhythms kept the audience spellbound throughout their performance.

Dave Robillard of Duo Percussion

Dave Robillard and Brennan Connolly hammering out the beat.

The set was followed up with a stellar performance by the Goderich Laketown Band under the direction of Hugh McGregor and Hugh's protege Katie Dockstader. Featured in the performance was a piece specially commissioned for the occasion by the Goderich Rotary Club called Snug Harbour. Snug Harbour was written by local composer Jeff Smallman who is a very accomplished artist that has had his compositions performed throughout Canada and the United States, Hungary, Holland, Lithuania, Poland, and China.

To help make the occasion special, past members were invited to join the band for the afternoon's performance and a wonderful dinner. In all, 22 past members were able to attend and join in our celebration.

Back row: Karen Dunn, Tom Quirk, Peter Baldwin, Annie Coulter, Louise Stewart McGill, Christina Lammerant, Ernie McMillan, Judy Stuart, Melissa Keith, Paula Butler,  Steve Smith, Neil Blackwell, Mary Ellen McGill, Tom McGill, and Bob McGill
Front Row: Brenda Stewart, Carol Stewart Anderson, Irla Stewart, Barb McKnight, and Dona Baker.
Jim McArthur and Chris Black were there, but missed the picture.

To this day, two of the original band members perform regularly with the band. Jim Peters was instrumental in getting the band together and Don McMillan was the band's first president. Jim Peters plays sax and Don, the trombone. Without their vision and dedication, the Goderich Laketown Band would not be the band it is today.

Don McMillan and Jim Peters with their tokens of appreciation for their contributions to the ongoing success of the Goderich Laketown Band.

Spring Sound of Goderich

If you missed our 50th Anniversary performance last Sunday, here's your chance to hear us perform Snug Harbour, a song commissioned specifically for our band by local composer Jeff Smallman. In addition to the band, there will be the McKay Choristers, the Harbouraires, and special guests, the Suncoast Brass Quartet. The concert will take place at 7:30 pm May 9th at the Christian Reform Church in Goderich .