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Left Right Left Right - Concert and Marching BandsThe sound of brass bands has been heard in the Highwood area from the early 1900s to the school bands of present day. Legend has it that the first town band was started in order to keep the boys from the fire brigade out of trouble. With pranks such as reversing the valves of a salesman's fire extinguisher before a demonstration (resulting in a soaking of Town Council), it was not a bad idea.
Bands gave concerts in the parks and always played during special occasions. They marched through the streets and, in the early years, played at the train station to welcome or send off special guests.
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First High River Band24 May 1910
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 979-050-071
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Frank Portus and Marshall Stitt in their band uniformsCirca 1910
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 979-050-065
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Marshall Duncan Stitt, age 2118 September 1910
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 979-050-092
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Tuba from the first High River BandCirca 1910
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood
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Euphonium from the first High River bandCirca 1910
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the HIghwood
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The First Recruit20 August 1914
High River, Alberta, Canada
Norman Glover, the first man from High River to enlist in the army has been accepted with the 103rd regiment.
He was tendered a very hearty send-off at the station on Friday noon. The High River brass band and a large number of
citizens were present to bid fond farewell to Mr. Glover and hearty cheers were given when the train moved out.
- High River Times August 20, 1914
Credits:
The Best Of Times, Vol 2, Published by Century Books, High River, (c) 2003
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The High River band at the CPR station, High RiverCirca 1915
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives, 980-088-021
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The Elks' BandFor many years, the High River Elk's Lodge B.P.O.E. No. 120 sponsored both a senior and junior band. In 1929, Dr. H.E. Bedingfield asked John (Jack) Pickersgill of Leeds, England to come to High River and accept the leadership of the Elks' band. He had heard about John's musical ability from two of John's former students, now living in Calgary. John accepted the invitation and he, along with his musical family, contributed much to the musical life of the area.
High River, always hungry for music, kept the band very busy. In 1934 the band played 27 times for local groups (churches, schools, P.T.A.,etc.), as well as playing seven indoor concerts, sixteen occasions at the skating rink, and nine out-of-town engagements! Along with twice weekly practices, the band members must have been hopping!
"A dance will be given under the auspices of the Elks' band on January 29th and the music will be furnished by a full dance orchestra of sixteen pieces ... The orchestra has been practicing diligently under the leadership of Mr. Pickersgill and every attention is being paid to modulation and tone. Everything is being done to furnish the peppiest music for dancing that the town has ever enjoyed."
- High River Times, January 9, 1930
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High River Elks Band, Jack Pickersgill Sr. conductorCirca 1930
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives
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The Musical Dentist - Dr. BedingfieldDr. H.E. Bedingfield moved to High River, Alberta in 1904 and started the first dental practice between Calgary and Fort Macleod, Alberta. He was a music pioneer who organized and directed High River's first band for more than ten years. He continued to play cornet in High River bands for many years. In 1929 he heard about John (Jack) Pickersgill from friends in Calgary and was "instrumental" in persuading him to take up residence in High River to lead the Elk's brass band.
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'The Copper King March' band music, owned by Dr. H.E. Bedingfield.Circa 1900
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 000-069-001
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Tattoo (Last Post), handwritten, by Dr. H.E. Bedingfield.Circa 1900s
High River, Alberta, Canada
Credits:Museum of the Highwood Archives 000-069-007
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"Mr. Music" - Jack Pickersgill Sr.Jack Pickersgill was born in Yorkshire, England where he found an outlet for his impressive musical talents during the era of brass bands in coal mining towns. He came to High River in 1929 at the request of Dr. Bedingfield. Mr. Pickersgill organized and led the Elk's Band, bands at the #5 E.F.T.S. flight training school, the reserve army band and the Air Cadets band. He was the leader of the Okotoks/High River band and the High River Boy's Band. He played many instruments, but his instrument of choice was the euphonium. His two sons - Jack Jr. and Peter both played trumpet in his bands.
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