Do you play a woodwind, brass, percussion, or rhythm instrument? Joining us could be the perfect opportuity to sharpen you musical skills, get performance experience, and meet new people!
The Military Band of the 48th Highlanders Association is a civilian concert band based in Toronto. Our mission is to learn, play and perform music of all styles, all while having fun and making friends. Musicians of varying skill levels are welcome, from novice to advanced. However, because the focus of the band is on playing, rather than lessons, knowledge of the fundamentals is a must.
New members are always welcome, and it’s free to join. We are open to musicians age 16 upwards, and the band rehearses on Tuesday evenings at Moss Park Armoury from 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.
Why you should join:
What you need to join:
What we value:
Instrumentation
The standard wind band includes the following instruments:
Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophones (Alto, Tenor, Baritone), Horn, Trumpet/Cornet, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba, Percussion (Drum kit, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, timpani, tuned percussion)
We are always looking for new members and currently have positions available in every section.
Uniform
The band provides all uniform items free of charge. For many years, the band wore the same full-dress highland uniform as the regiment (from the feather bonnet down to the canvas spats). These days, we’ve stuck to our highland roots, but we’re far more comfortable in kilts and shirts.
Rehearsals
When we’re not performing, we rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 8 pm to 10 pm in the dedicated band room at Moss Park Armoury (Queen and Jarvis).
Our members come from various communities right across the GTA. While many are from Toronto, we also attract players from Burlington and Oakville in the West to Scarborough and Clarington in the east, and we even have a few members from further afield. Members come from all walks of life, from students to retirees.
Ex-military musicians are always welcome, however membership is open to all players. While there is no formal minimum musical standard, you should have at least two or three years’ experience, preferably with some experience of ensemble playing.
Whilst there are no formal auditions, prospective players are invited to attend rehearsals to assess their suitability to join the band.
If this sounds like your ideal band then we want to hear from you!
Unlike many community bands, we do not charge annual dues to belong
We have vacancies in all sections of the band, so whether you’re a brass, woodwind, or percussion player, if you’re interested in joining us, fill in the form below to let us know and we’ll go from there.