Armed Forces Bands in Canada

Reserve Bands

Reserve bands were attached to reserve armed forces units. They were made up completely of spare-time musicians. The growth of Canadian reserve bands reflected the growth of the country’s reserve forces. The Militia Act of 1855, which established a volunteer force of up to 5,000 men, is considered the foundation of the modern Canadian Armed Forces. The volunteer militia had a strength of 43,500 by 1869. The last British regular units were withdrawn in 1871 (except for naval stations in Halifax and Esquimalt, BC), the same year the first Canadian regular units were formed.

Prior to Confederation, military music was provided by British army regimental bands garrisoned in Canadian towns. These bands achieved immense popularity through their appearances in concerts and parades. When the British regiments and their bands returned to England and were replaced by the Canadian volunteer militia, a void was created in band music because of the difficulty in obtaining qualified musicians and bandmasters. Fortunately, some remained in Canada and became active in training and organizing militia bands.

For about 150 years, bands remained the basis of instrumental ensemble performance in Canada. Band musicians (along with church organists) were the backbone of the music profession. Their military employment provided a basic income that could be supplemented by teaching, playing church organs, dealing in musical merchandise, or perhaps repairing instruments.

Of the many ensembles formed during the next 100 years, only a few examples can be named here. The first enlisted band in Canada was that of the Independent Artillery Company of the militia in Hamilton, Ontario, under bandmaster Peter Grossman in 1856. In 1886, Grossman formed the 13th Battalion Band, which later became known as the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band. By 1869, there were some 46 bands in the Canadian militia. A contemporary inspection report reveals the number of musicians and comments on their proficiency: “29th Battalion Band: A fair band of 11 musicians; 45th Battalion Band: One of the best bands in the district, 21 performers; 65th Battalion Band: Brass band, 15 musicians, just organized.”

Canadian bands had a part in military action before the First World War. From the time of the Fenian Raids in the late 1860s comes this account of the militia leaving to defend their homes: “The Volunteers of Peel county, Ont had been called out to help fight the Fenian invasion. The fife and drum struck up the tune of ‘Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the boys are marching,’ the men began to cheer and sing and the train pulled out of Toronto and as we feared, toward the front” (William P. Bull, From Brock to Currie, Toronto 1935).

During the North-West Resistance, “the brass band 90th Regiment, Winnipeg, particularly during the last few months of the campaign, improved wonderfully and was the pride and joy of the force” (Ernest J. Chambers, A Regimental History of The 90th Regiment Winnipeg Rifles, 1906). One of Canada's oldest and most famous bands, the band of the Queen's Own Rifles, was formed in 1862 in Toronto. Another early militia band was that of the Royal Regiment of Canada.

Among the volunteer militia bands associated with the outstanding 19th-century Quebec bandmaster Joseph Vézina were those of the 9th Battalion Quebec Rifles, which he led from 1869 to 1879, and the band of the'B' Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery, which he led from 1879 to 1912 (Musical Canada, Feb 1932). The Governor General's Foot Guards Band of Ottawa was established in 1872. It continued to function through the two world wars and successive reorganizations of the post-war militia.

The Band of the 19th St Catharines (Ontario) Regiment was formed at the turn of the century under Lieutenant William Peel. It later became the Lincoln and Welland Band. In 1964, it performed at Bergen-Op-Zoom in the ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Holland. During the centennial celebrations in 1967, the band toured northern Ontario.

Outstanding volunteer militia bands in Winnipeg have been the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, formed in 1883, and the 106th Winnipeg Light Infantry Band, organized in 1912. During the First World War, the bandmaster Thomas William James took the latter to England, where it merged with the 10th Battalion Band of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. It became the first Canadian band to serve on French soil.

The regimental band of the 48th Highlanders of Canada was formed in Toronto in the fall of 1892 under John Griffin. It achieved fame under Captain John Slatter, its director from 1896 to 1946. The band of Hamilton's 91st Highlanders was formed by Harry Stares in 1903. The regiment changed its name in 1904 to the 91st Regiment Canadian Highlanders. In 1920, it became the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. The band was active in the 1920s and 1930s. Another prominent ensemble was the Canadian Grenadier Guards Band under Captain J.-J. Gagnier. It numbered as many as 60 performers during the 1920s and 1930s and was disbanded in 1970.

The International Military Music Society (formed in 1977) established a Canadian branch with over 100 members, branch headquarters in Toronto, a monthly newsletter, and quarterly meetings in Toronto. A Canadian band research project was set up by the society.

First World War

At the beginning of the First World War, the Department of Militia and Defence made no provision for regimental bands. But many militia units formed their own on an unofficial basis. In 1914, the establishment of every Canadian Expeditionary Force battalion was increased optionally by one bandmaster and 24 bandsmen. Many militia units were fortunate in securing the services of civilian bands enlisted as groups, e.g., the 157th Battalion Band of Orillia, Ontario. This type of patriotism was not confined to the Dominion; in Newfoundland almost the entire Ayr Burg Band joined the Newfoundland Regiment under its bandmaster, L.L. Worthington. At the military site of Camp Borden, Ontario, in August 1916, 28 bands were present among over 40,000 soldiers. At that time, the first evening tattoo ceremony took place in Camp Borden.

Following the war, the Westminster (later Royal Westminster) Regiment Band came into being. Under Sergeant Harry Moss, it became important in the musical life of New Westminster, BC. The band appeared before George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their visit in 1939. It gave summer concerts in the Queen's Park bandshell, and played at numerous openings of the British Columbia Legislature and at the Peace Arch ceremonies in Blaine, Washington. Other noted bands of the 1920–39 period included the 1st British Columbia Regiment Band in Vancouver (Lieutenant C.J. Cornfield), and the London (Ontario) Fusiliers (later No. 4 Royal Canadian Regiment Band).

Second World War

At the outbreak of the Second World War, militia units were not authorized to enlist their bands for overseas service. However, by 1940 it was decided to recruit musicians for training centres across Canada for the purpose of forming bands. Lieutenant A.L. Streeter was appointed music director for reinforcement units in England.

After the war, a reorganization of reserve bands was begun. By 1951, 106 30-piece military bands had been authorized. In 1990, 64 bands were authorized for the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve. Of these, 10 were in the Atlantic provinces, 11 in Quebec, 25 in Ontario, 12 in the Prairie region, and six in British Columbia. Of those bands using standard military instrumentation eight were Navy, 29 Army (one staffed by unpaid volunteers), and two Air Reserve. There were also 23 pipe bands. and 2 bugle bands. The bands were employed in musical support duties including unit parades, formal dinners, community concerts, and a variety of local, national and international events. As of 2023, there were a total of 73 bands in the Canadian Armed Forces: 53 in the Army, 12 in the Air Force, and 8 in the Navy.

In 1990, several outstanding reserve band events took place, including a band spectacular hosted by the 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (Reserve) at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Auditorium; 150 musicians, including the regular force Naden Band, participated in a concert that opened with an adaptation for band of Beethoven's Ode to Joy and concluded with a massed performance of military band and pipes and drums. A similar extravaganza at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall celebrated the Royal Canadian Military Institute's 100th anniversary. Over 2,000 musicians from all nine of Toronto's reserve bands took part.

In 1979, a summertime reserve band made up of advanced musicians recruited from across Canada was formed to perform at the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony on Ottawa's Parliament Hill. Through the variety of its performance duties and a training program which has included participation in master classes, the Band of the Ceremonial Guard has offered its members outstanding opportunities for professional development.

Regular Armed Forces Bands

Army Bands

The first regular Armed Forces bands in Canada were formed in 1899. Their main purpose has been to provide music for military or public functions. Prior to the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, 17 regular military bands of the Navy, Army, and Air Force were authorized. After unification, they were reorganized into nine larger bands with a total personnel of over 300.

The first full-time Army band was that of the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery formed in 1899 at Quebec Citadel with Joseph Vézina as bandmaster. It was later led by Charles O'Neill. The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Band was organized in 1905 in Kingston, Ontario, with Major Alfred Light as its leader. The first unit to receive authorization for a full-time band was the Royal Canadian Regiment. The band was formed in Halifax in 1900 by the British bandmaster Michael Ryan. It was officially recognized in 1905. It took part in the coronation ceremonies for George V in 1911 and in the dedication of the Cross of Sacrifice at Washington, DC, in 1927. Lieutenant L.K. Harrison was appointed music director in 1924 and Lieutenant John Proderick in 1940.

The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Band was established in 1919, when the regiment became a permanent force unit. The band was recruited by Captain Thomas William James in Toronto and later moved to Winnipeg. In 1922, the newly organized French-Canadian Regiment, the Royal 22nd (called the Van Doos, a phonetic pronunciation of its French name) received authorization to establish a military band. Captain Charles O'Neill became its conductor.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, nine bands were authorized for fighting units overseas and in Canada. Lieutenant A.L. Streeter, formerly of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Band, was given the task of organizing military bands for the Canadian Army. John Slatter was supervisor of army bands at Camp Borden, Ontario. In 1942, there were 136 authorized active force bands in Canada and 69 overseas. The authorized band personnel numbered 5,535. However, not all bands were operating or were up to strength. In 1944, 10 full-time bands were maintained overseas. Thirty-three full-time bands and a nucleus of permanent bandsmen in spare-time bands were employed in Canada.

In March 1947, all active or regular force bands were discontinued, and three bands were reconstituted; those of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (stationed in Manitoba, first at Camp Shilo, then in Winnipeg), the Royal Canadian Regiment, and the Van Doos. In 1950, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Band was reformed. The Royal Canadian Regiment Band was reorganized in 1947 in London, Ontario, under Warrant Officer William Armstrong. Captain Joseph Purcell was appointed music director in 1953 and Major Derek Stannard in 1963. The latter instituted the very popular Interlude for Music concert series in Ontario high schools. With the 1968 unification of the forces, the band was augmented. Its 65 players represented Canada in Paris at the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 1918 Armistice. In 1969, Captain John Collins became music director. Aa year later the band moved from London, Onriot, to Camp Gagetown, New Brunswick. It has performed in schools and public concerts across New Brunswick.

When the Korean War, coupled with the demands of NATO, brought about a great expansion of the army, full-time military bands were increased in size. Several new bands were authorized for the active force. They included the following, with location, year of authorization (and name of first music director):

• The Canadian Guards Band, Camp Borden, later Petawawa, Ontario, 1951 (James Gayfer)
• The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Band, Kingston, Ontario, 1952 (B. Lyons)
• The Royal Canadian Artillery Band (Coastal), Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1952 (E.R. Wragg)
• The Royal Canadian Engineers Band, Vedder Crossing, BC, 1953 (A. Brown)
• Royal Canadian Dragoons Band, Camp Borden, Ontario, 1955 (E. Spooner)
• Royal Highland Regiment of Canada Band (Black Watch), Halifax, 1955 (D. Start)
• Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps Band, Montreal, 1956 (G. Gagnier)
• Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians) Band, Calgary, 1956 (F.N. McLeod).

After the 1968 unification, four Army bands kept their identities: the Royal Canadian Regiment; the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Band in Calgary; the Royal 22nd Band in Quebec City; and the Royal Canadian Artillery Band dissolved in Halifax and reconstituted in Montreal with a nucleus of musicians from the Black Watch Band, which had been disbanded in 1968. Officially recognized in 1969, the last-named band appeared regularly under Major Charles Villeneuve at Man and His World, Dominion Square, and the Place des Arts and toured Europe and the Middle East. (See also Campbell Free Band Concerts.) The Royal Canadian Corps of Signals Band in Kingston, conducted by Captain Maurice Ziska, became known first as the Air Transport Command Band and later as the Vimy Band. It has performed as a ceremonial band and a symphonic concert band and has appeared in major concert halls of the world, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

Navy Bands

Prior to the Second World War, bands in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) were voluntary and part-time. In 1939, a permanent force navy band was recruited in Toronto under the direction of Lieutenant Alfred E. Zealley. He had been music director for the RCN during World War I. This band moved to HMCS Stadacona naval land base in Halifax. It proved so successful that in 1940 a second naval band was approved for the base at Esquimalt, BC, under the direction of Lieutenant H.G. Cuthbert.

By the end of the war, 14 naval bands had been formed. In their place, late in 1945, naval bands were authorized for HMCS Stadacona at Halifax and HMCS Naden at Esquimalt. Lieut Stanley Sunderland and Lieut-Cdr Cuthbert were appointed to recruit the two bands. The Naden band gave several performances during the British Columbia centennial celebrations in 1958. It has also appeared at Grey Cup celebrations when these have been held in Vancouver.

Two additional bands were formed later; one at the naval air station HMCS Shearwater, at Shearwater, BC, and another at HMCS Cornwallis, at Cornwallis, NS, the new entry training base. The bandsmen were trained at the Royal Canadian Navy School of Music in HMCS Naden, Esquimalt. (See also Canadian Forces School of Music.) Following unification in 1968, only two navy bands remained, the Canadian Forces Naden Band (then at Victoria, BC), and the Canadian Forces Stadacona Band at Halifax (under Major J.F. McGuire and later Major B.G. Bogisch and Captain George L. Morrison. The Stadacona band absorbed the Royal Canadian Artillery Band (Coastal) and members of the HMCS Cornwallis Band. The 40-member band has participated in the International Festival of Military Music in Maps, Belgium; in Canada Day celebrations in Brunssum, Holland, in 1972; and in the NATO festival in Stuttgart in 1974. In 1973, the band toured in Australia, New Zealand and Samoa. In 1976, it performed in the Soviet Union. In Victoria, the Naden Band performs the traditional Sunset Ceremony at the Legislative Buildings.

Air Force Bands

An Air Force Band was formed at Camp Borden under Frank Tucker in 1929. During the Second World War, several Royal Canadian Air Force bands were created from volunteer ensembles and from the ranks of professional musicians. The largest was the Central Band of the RCAF, established in 1940 and maintained at Ottawa under Flying Officer E.A. Kirkwood. Other bands included the Tactical Air Command Band, under Flight Lieutenant Carl Friberg, which served in Gander, Newfoundland, Montreal and Edmonton. The first contingent of air force musicians — the RCAF Overseas Headquarters Band — arrived in England in 1942 under the direction of Squadron Leader Martin Boundy. It was followed shortly afterward by the No. 6 Bomber Group Band under Warrant Officer Clifford Hunt and the Bournemouth band directed by Flight Sergeant Vowden. A popular dance orchestra, the RCAF Streamliners, drawn from the headquarters band, appeared throughout England.

The end of the war in 1945 brought about a reduction in personnel in air force bands, but the Central Band of the RCAF continued to flourish. The RCAF Tactical Air Command Band was known briefly as the Northwest Air Command Band and was stationed at Winnipeg in 1946. In 1947, it moved to Air Force Headquarters in Edmonton and reverted to the old name. In 1946, the Training Command Band was organized by Flight Lieutenant Clifford Hunt in Toronto. It was renamed the Air Transport Command Band in 1949 while a new Training Command Band was organized in Winnipeg. By 1964, only the Central Band of the RCAF in Ottawa and the Training Command Band in Winnipeg remained in service. After the unification of the armed services in 1968, the Training Command Band was joined by members of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery band in Winnipeg. In 1975, it was renamed the Air Command Band (under Captain Terence Barnes).

The Central Band of the RCAF in Ottawa was renamed the National Band of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968 and the Central Band of the Canadian Forces in 1970. The band has toured Europe frequently. It has also made appearances at the Bern International Music Festival and at several NATO music festivals. It has toured in Canada and appeared regularly in Ottawa at welcoming ceremonies for visiting heads of state and other dignitaries, including the Pope and US presidents Reagan and Bush. During Reagan's 1981 visi,t the band premiered Louis Applebaum's Presidential Fanfares. Nine members of the band constitute the Canadian Forces String Ensemble, which has regularly performed at functions of the Governor General. It has also been available as required to the Secretary of State and agencies of the Canadian government.

The Central Band played on Parliament Hill each summer for the daily changing of the guard ceremonies until 1979. Those duties were then assumed by the Band of the Ceremonial Guard, a summertime reserve unit.

Music Education

The Royal Canadian Navy School of Music (École de musique de la Marine royale du Canada) was founded in Esquimalt, BC, in 1954 to train musicians for Canadian navy bands. In 1961, it expanded to accommodate trainees for army and air force bands. With the unification of the Armed Forces in 1968, it became the Canadian Forces School of Music (CFSM). Now known as the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre Music Division, the school has been located at CFB Borden near Barrie, Ontario, since 1987. The training facilities include a rehearsal and concert hall, nearly 50 practice studios, 10 teaching studios, a library and four classrooms.

The school offers students a two-year program of individual and ensemble instrumental instruction leading to qualification for positions in Canadian forces bands. Enrollment has varied with the requirement for musicians. The school also offers a one-year program for experienced forces musicians wishing to become assistant directors and directors of Canadian forces bands, with classes in conducting, composition, and arranging, as well as band administration and management. Summer courses have been offered annually for reserve band personnel from across Canada.

Ceremonies

Canadian regular force bands have travelled extensively throughout the world. They have also maintained active performing schedules in their home regions, appearing in concerts, parades, and tattoos, often before Canadian service personnel stationed abroad. In 1962, six bands performed at the World's Fair in Seattle, Washington, for a massed band tattoo. During Canada's centennial year (1967), several bands played an active role in the 147 performances of the Canadian Armed Forces Tattoo in 40 cities across Canada.

The Stadacona Band's four-piece combo toured Norway, Sweden, and Denmark in 1981. The full band has been the regular pit band for the annual Nova Scotia Tattoo. It visited Marseilles, France in 1983. In 1990, it celebrated the 50th anniversary of music in the Canadian Navy and toured Europe, giving special concerts at the International Music Parade in Karlsruhe, Germany. The Royal Canadian Regiment Band was the ceremonial band for the Silver Broom curling championships in Fredericton in 1980. It was duty band in New Brunswick for the royal visit of 1984, took part in celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. The Royal 22nd Regiment band began daily summertime Changing of the Guard Ceremonies at the Quebec Citadel in 1981, performed on the Plains of Abraham on behalf of the Commission of the Battlefields in 1988 and in 1989 gave several performances in honour of their regiment's 75th anniversary.

The Royal Canadian Artillery band fulfilled 245 engagements in 1988, performing before some 107,000 spectators in Canada and Europe. In 1989, it provided the nucleus for a cross-Canada tour of Canadian Forces musicians. In London, Ontario, in 1983, the Vimy band premiered Pioneers by Kingston composer Norman Sherman. It travelled to Europe in 1987, appearing at the Mons Music Festival, the NATO Music Festival in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and at a military festival in Saumer, France. The Air Command Band performed at the International Music Camp at International Falls, Minnesota, in 1982, appeared at the Albertville Military Tattoo in France in 1983, and appeared across Canada in celebration of the RCAF's 60th anniversary in 1984.

The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry band toured Australia in 1988 to help celebrate that country's 200th anniversary. It took part in a military tattoo and playing concerts in Hobart and Launceston, Tasmania and in Melbourne, appearing before some six million spectators in all. The Naden Band, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1990, released a recording titled The Golden Tribute. It also visited Vladivostok with the Second Canadian Destroyer Squadron, appearing in several venues and giving a concert in the city's Philharmonic Hall, which included a performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

See also Canadian Grenadier Guards Band; Royal Regiment of Canada; 48th Highlanders of Canada; Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Band; Royal 22nd Regiment Band; Highland Pipe Bands in Canada.

Discography

• Air Transport Command Band 50. Westmount Records WSTM-7321
• The Band of/La Fanfare du Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps Salutes the Canadian Armed Forces/Salue les Forces Armées Canadiennes. Cam CAS-2565
• The Band of Her Majesty's Canadian Ship'Discovery'. Victor Crewe conductor. Private recording
• Canada Salutes the RCAFA. Air Command Band Winnipeg, Capt J. French conductor. 1990. World WRC4-6391
• The Canadian Armed Forces Tattoo. Maj Ian S. Fraser, Capain Derek Stannard dir. 1967. Arc ACS-5021
• Canadian Centennial Celebrations. Lon TW-91407
• Canadian Forces Tattoo. Dom LP-1357
• The Canadian Tattoo. Hartley Records HRS-555
• The Canadian Tattoo. Capt I.S. Fraser and Capt F.M. McLeod conductor. 1962. Continental CST-6050
• The Central Band of the Canadian Forces The Canadian Forces Presents The Central Band/Les Forces canadienne présentent La Fanfare centrale. Marta Sound (unnumbered)
  • Martial Music of Canada: vol 1 Les Français, Lon SW-99558. vol 2 The British, Lon SW-99559. vol 3 Canada 1867, Lon SW-99560.
  • Showstoppers for Band. Marc Production MP-26
• The Central Band: Royal Canadian Air Force. F/L K.R. Moore conductor. 1968. J-Mar J-5408
• 1883 A Century of Service 1983. The Royal Canadian Regiment Band and the 2nd Battalion RCR Pipes & Drums, Capt D.W. Embree conductor. 1982. Private recording
• Golden Tribute. Naden Band of the Maritime Forces Pacific, Lieut G.W. Klaassen conductor. 1982. World WRC1-2479
• The Guns. Royal Canadian Artillery Band, Maj C.A. Villeneuve conductor. Private recording
• The National Band of the Canadian Forces/La Fanfare Nationale des Forces Armées Canadiennes. Cap ST-6334/RCI 285
• RCAF 50. Air Transport Command Band, The Pipes & Drums of CFB Ottawa, Capt K.R. Moore, Pipe-Major A.M. Cairns conductor. 1974. Audat C-126
• The Royal Canadian Artillery Band/La Musique de l'artillerie royale canadienne. Capt O. Leblanc conductor. RCAB 01
• The Royal Canadian Regiment. Lon SW-99544
• The Royal Canadian Signals Band in Concert. J-Mar J6104
• The Royal Military College Pipes and Drums, Brass and Chorus. D.M. Carrigan, N.G. Jackson conds. Private recording
• A Salute to the RCR. Wonderland RCRA/RCRB
• Salute to Wales Live at Roy Thomson Hall. Central Band of The Canadian Forces, Canadian Orpheus Male Choir, Maj J.A. Underwood conductor. Private recording
• 75th Anniversary 1910-1985. Combined Bands of Maritime: Naval Reserve, Lieut-Cdr J. McGuire conductor; Stadacona, Lieut R. McCallum conductor; Naden, Lieut G.W. Klassen conductor.
• Private recording
• The Stadacona Band of the Maritime Command. Maj J.F. McGuire conductor. Audat 477-4013
• The Stadacona Band. Lieut B. Templeaars conductor. 1982. STB 1982-1
• This is My Home/Chez Nous Partout. Central Band of the Canadian Forces/La Musique central des forces canadiennes, Ottawa Choral Society. 1990. Private reording (cass)
• Top Brass. Concert Band of the Royal Canadian Air force, W/C Clifford Hunt conductor. RCI-256
• The Training Command Band on Parade and In Concert. Century 21 TCB-0015
• Vimy Band. The Candian Forces Vimy Band, Capt W.T. Wornes conductor. Private recording AA-1379
• Canadian Regimental Marches. Chotem conductor. 1958. RCI 158
• Marches of the Canadian Armed Forces: Traditiona1 and Contemporary. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Band. (1978). Westmount WSTM-7813
• Official Marches of the Canadian Forces. Combined Band and Pipes & Drums from the Toronto Military Garrison, Maj G.A. Falconi, Maj R.A. Herriot, and Pipe Maj CWO A.L. Dewar, directors of music. 1989. 2-Royal Canadian Military Institute RCMI-100 (includes booklet)
• The Regimental Band of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Presents Marches of the Canadian Armed Forces, Traditional and Contemporary. 1978. WSTM 7813
• A Weekend With the Met. Metropolitan Silver Band, Alan Moody conductor. 1988. World WRC4-5760
• Blest Be The Tie That Binds. Silverthorn Legion Silver Band, P.G. Preston conductor. 1978. Fantasy Sound FS-23484
• Burlington Teen Tour Band 35th Anniversary Album. Don Allan conductor. BTTB 003
• The Concert Band of Cobourg. R.G. White conductor. Private, cassette
• Concert in the Park/Concert en plein air. Edmonton Wind Ens, Pinchin conductor. 1987. CBC SMCD-5079
• Fergus Brass Band. 1989. Private recording (cass)
• 45 Years of Service and Still Going Strong Baby!Silverthorn Legion Silver Band. Fantasy Sound FS-23541
• Huntsville Town Band Tribute Concert to Anglo Canadian Leather Co.Band. John Hall conductor. 1985. Worl WRC4-4392
• Sounds of Silver. The Metropolitan Silver Band, Alan Moody conductor. Private recording
• The Old Strathcona Town Band. Ernest Dalwood conductor. World WRC1-2699
• The Old Strathcona Town Band. Ernest Dalwood conductor, Edmonton Caledonia Pipe Band, Pipe-Major David Trew. 1987. World WRC1-5518
• The Wellington Flute Band Plays On. W. McDermott conductor. Acme Recording Studios ARS-12865
• Weston Silver Band 60th Anniversary. Douglas Field conductor. 1980. Private recording W-001
• Whitby Brass Band As Requested. Roland Hill conductor. 1988. Kinck Sound
• Back in Blue. HMCS Discovery Band, S/Lt. A. Kovcs conductor. Private recording
• The Band and Bugles of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Private recording
• Band of the Ceremonial Guard/La Musique de la Garde de Cérémonie. Capt A.J. Van Liempt conductor. 1988. World WRC4-5872
• Band of the 7th Toronto Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery. Capt R.A. Herriot conductor. 1981.
• Private recording
• Bands Across the Sea. Bands of The Lorne Scots and The Volunteer (Warwickshire) Band of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Capt M.A. Rehill conductor. 1984. Attic BLL-122
• Bicentennial Salute. Band of The 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (The Loyal Company), Capt W.F.B. Holder conductor. Prime Time PTL-119
• Brass & Tartan. Windsor Militia District Band and The Essex and Kent Scottish Pipes & Drums, CWO M.D. Holmes conductor. 1989. Polaris Recording Studio CS-1100
• Canadian, British and American Cavalry Marches. Band of The Governor General's Horse Guards, Lieut B.J. Hodgins conductor. 1990. GGHG 01
• Centennial Salute. Lincoln and Welland Regimental Band, W.E. Higgins conductor. 1976. Private recording ST-57736
• 15th Field Artillery Regiment Band. Capt P.M. Erwin conductor. Private recording
• Heart of Oak. The Band of HMCS Discovery, Victor Crewe conductor. Ensemble EPN-151
• The Lincoln and Welland Regiment Band and The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipes & Drums. Lieut F. Warbis conductor. World WRC4-5874
• La Musique des Voltigeurs de Québec 1862-1975. Capt C.H. Lapointe conductor. RCA MS-11301-2
• 125 Years. The Lorne Scots Band and Pipes & Drums, Capt M.A. Rehill conductor. 1991. Private recording
• Pop & Circumstance. 15th Field Artillery Regiment and Air Command Bands, Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir, Capt R.J. Van Slyke conductor. 1990. Private recording
• Regimental Marches - Royal Canadian Armoured Corps - Marches Regimentaires. The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) Band, Capt H.G. MacPherson conductor. 1986. World WRC-4776
• A Royal Salute to Her Majesty The Queen. Massed Bands of the Central Militia Area, Capt G.A. Falconi Principal Dir of Music. 1984. Attic BLL-121
• Toronto Signals Trumpet Band. 1974. Private recording
• Black Watch. 1970. Kilmarnock KIL-70002
• The Black Watch R.H.R. of Canada. Lon SW-99353/Lon EBX-5004
• The Black Watch: War Pipe and Plaid. Lon SW-99407
• Canadian Centennial Celebration (Black Watch). Lon SW-99432
• Canadian Pipe Bands. Black Watch, Balmoral Girls' Pipe Band, MacDougal Girls' Pipe Band. Canadian Cavalcade CCLP-2009
• Concert in Ireland. 78th Fraser Highlanders. Lismor LDDC-8003 (CD)
• Eighty Years of Glory. Calgary Highlanders. (1991). Bandleader BNA-5051 (CD)
• Immigrants Suite. 78th Fraser Highlanders. Lismor LDDC-8013 (CD)
• The Pipes and Drums of the Toronto Scottish Regiment. Pipe-Major John Wakefield, Drum-Major W. Baird. Arc A-657
• Pipes and Powder. 10th Field Regiment Pipes and Drums. Custom CS-76E31
• Pipes Up! Canadian Champions. Pipes & Drums of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, Pipe-Major J. Wakefield. 1977. World WRC-282
• Proud Music. Pipes & Drums of The Canadian Scottish Regiment, Pipe-Major S. Kelly. 1979. Private recording
• Up to the Line. 78th Fraser Highlanders. World WRC4-4488 (cass)
• Canadian pipe bands have also participated in the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoos and can be heard on subsequent recordings including The Canadian Forces Composite Pipe Band in 1981 (Waverly GLN-1026) and Black Watch, The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and The Toronto Scottish Regiment in 1974 (Waverly SZLP-2140)