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A HISTORY OF BANDS IN GRAND FALLS

Musical bands have played a major societal role in Grand Falls-Windsor, as far back as the first decade of the 20th century. Whenever there was a gathering, indoors or out, music seemed to be included.

Lord Northcliffe's donation of instruments set the ball rolling with the very first brass band. The first bandmaster was Allison Kelland, followed by W.J. Dover, an Englishman who lived on Exploits Avenue. However, with the outbreak of the First World War, the band was suspended until 1918 when it was revived under the direction of military bandsman, Heber Noseworthy.

Three other marching bands were dominant in Grand Falls-Windsor during the first half of the 20th century- the Salvation Army Citadel Band, the Scouts Band, and the Catholic Cadet Corps (CCC) Band.

The Grand Falls Town Band formed in 1909. The Salvation Army Band in the former town of Windsor was formed in 1942. The Boy Scouts Band was formed in 1928, first as a bugle band and later as a brass and woodwind band. The Catholic Cadet Corps (CCC) Band was started in the early 1930s.

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A History of Bands in Grand Falls
1915
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society

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Salvation Army Band
1925
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society
Jerry LeDrew

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Scouts Band
1935
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society
Hughie Sutton

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Scouts Band 1946
1946
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society
Donated by the Legion

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Parade on High Street
1930s
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society
Alison Bartle

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An Elks Children's Day Parade
1925
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor, A Place and its People, Published by: Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society Inc. 2005

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FOLK DANCING

During the early 1900s, girls at Grand Falls participated in Scottish folk dancing, and ballroom dancing was also taught. Miss Florence Bratley, who came over from England to teach school, also taught English folk dancing during the 1930s.

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Folk Dancing
Early 1900s
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society

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THE ANDOPIANS, NORTHCLIFFE DRAMA CLUB

Drama in our community in perhaps as old as the town itself. Like other communities, there were always Christmas skits and plays, and of course the St. Patrick's Day concerts. Harry Morrissey during the 1920s directed most plays in town. He continued to direct for many years with one of his last being "Pilate's Daughter", starring Neala Griffin, along with Margaret Hartley, May Delaney, Ruth Shapleigh, and Bride Griffin. One feature of these plays was the performance between acts. Elsie Constable or Lena Blackmore would often sing, Edward (Teddy) Marsh would often dress up as a bride and sing or Leo Ryan would have a recitation. In the late 1920s and during the '30s the Andopians flourished under the direction of L.R. Cooper.

In 1913, Lord Northcliffe made what would be his final visit to Grand Falls. On Sept 15, a farewell concert was held in the Town Hall with performances by the school children, Grand Falls Town Band, and Glee Club, followed by a moving picture of two reels of film. The grand finale of the night was the performance of a sketch entitled, "An Easy Mark" by the Dramatic Club.

By 1917, drama was being heard and seen more often in Grand Falls, for in addition to our local players, Mrs. J. Baxter from St. John's brought a party here called the Sparkets and played to packed houses for three nights, the proceeds going to the Patriotic Committee. During their stay in Grand Falls, they were guests of the Company at Grand Falls House.

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The Andopians, Northcliffe Drama Club...
Early 1930s
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society

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During the 1920s and 1930s, drama was led by Mrs. L.R. Cooper and Mrs. H.A. Morrissey. Many plays and concerts were produced and much money was raised to help the Churches.For example, in 1927, a group got together a show called "Roll 'Em Girls", with black-faced minstrels and flappers, and musicians. The Northcliffe Drama Club remains in operation to this day.

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Choirs of Grand Falls
1956
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Grand Falls Windsor Heritage Society

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CHOIRS OF GRAND FALLS

Research reveals that Grand Falls-Windsor had many musical groups over the years. In 1936 there was formed a Station Glee Club in April of that year and they had an executive but not much else could be found out about this group. Around 1940, the Kilearnan Glee Club was formed under the direction of Neala Griffin, accompanied by Laura Blackmore.

HOLY TRINITY SENIOR CHOIR

Holy Trinity Senior Choir was started in the early 1900s when Grand Falls was just being developed. Some of the choir directors were Sgt. Green of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Geraldine Janes, Catherine McLaughlin, Shirley Dawe, Marguerite Saunders and Aimee Doiron. The choir consisted of approximately 20 to 25 men and women who were faithful to practice and church services.