Boomtown Bands 1900 – 1915

Brass bands were a fixture in early Ladysmith.

Black and white photograph of twenty uniformed band members holding their brass and wind instruments.

The Ladysmith City Band, after having acquired uniforms, circa 1905.

Ladysmith City Band

The Ladysmith City Band was founded in 1902, just two years after the town’s establishment. According to an article in The Ladysmith Ledger in November 1902

…the band proved conclusively to all who were present Saturday night that it is a remarkably clever organization, playing wonderfully well for the time that the members have been able to practise together.

At first, the bandsmen did not have uniforms. By 1904, they had been kitted out with new uniforms, instruments and music paid for by public donations. They seemed to be improving with practice, as indicated by the December 12^th, 1904, Ladysmith Ledger, which stated

Each time the Ladysmith City Band appears in public there seems to be an improvement in the playing that must be very gratifying to the members of that enterprising musical organization.

Black and white photograph of members of band playing outside with spectators in grandstand looking on.

Ladysmith City Band performing for spectators.

In addition to giving concerts from a pavilion in the town square, the Ladysmith City Band accompanied parades, gave concerts at public holiday celebrations, and entertained passengers on seagoing excursions to Vancouver.

A sample of the music these bands played is provided. Some of this music would not be well-received today because of its racist and sexist nature.

Boomtown Bands|Bedelia (captions available in FR and EN). Enjoy this video with a transcript (EN)

Ladysmith-Extension Colliery Band

Approximately thirty uniformed band members pose in three rows with their instruments behind four silver trophies.

Ladysmith Extension Colliery Band, 1926.

Also providing brass band musical entertainment was the Ladysmith-Extension Colliery Band, which played at company picnics. It successfully took part in many band competitions on Vancouver Island and the BC Mainland.

The Finnish Band

Black and white photograph of a group of musicians carrying band instruments posing on the steps of a wooden building.

The Finnish Band, 1909.

A band well known for its ethnic flavour was The Finnish Band, which played at Finn Hall, giving concerts and providing music at dances and community gatherings.

Music played an important role in entertaining and bringing the community together at the many social functions where the bands played.

Black and white newspaper advertisement for the Annual Dance and Supper of the Finnish Brotherhood to be held in Finn Hall, January 6th 1912.

Ladysmith Recorder, 1904

Black and white printed newspaper article. Text only.

Finn Band ad, 1911

Home Town Entertainers In Early Ladysmith Minority Music