Instelling

Moose Jaw Lion's Junior Band

1950-present

The first meeting to discuss the creation of a junior band in Moose Jaw was held on October 6, 1950. H.E. Hemming presented the history of previous bands in Moose Jaw. At this meeting they decided the band would be made up of 40 members ages 10-14 and membership would cost $1.00 per member a year. They expected the instruments would cost $4000. An advertisement was placed in the Moose Jaw Time Herald for membership applications. A 5 member committee was set up to evaluate the 130 applications for 40 available positions. There were two instructors for the band: Mr. Tom Toddington and Mr. A. Burrell at a salary of $30 per month.
In 1958 Frank Connell became the band director. The band toured internationally in 1964 and in 1970 with Connell. They won a gold medal at the Kerkrade Netherlands International Band Festival in 1970.
The Lions Club became associated with the band in 1961, but the name “Lions” was not put into the Band Association name until 1972. As the band grew in size, it was split into ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ and ‘D’ level groups. ‘A’ band is the senior concert band, ‘B’ band is the intermediate band, ‘C’ band is the junior band, and ‘D’ band is the beginner band.