Newmarket Citizens' Band

Newmarket Citizens' Band
Eleven men in suits and hats. Two are seated on a rough wooden bench, holding trumpets. Six are behind them, each holding a brass instrument. To the immediate right are the other three members, one standing behind a drum and one holding cymbals. About 15 feet (5 metres) behind them is a wooden fence and a faded background with trees.
The members of the band in 1883.
Background information
OriginNewmarket, Ontario, Canada
GenresConcert band
Years active1872 (1872)–present
Websitewww.newmarketcitizensband.ca

The Newmarket Citizens' Band is a concert band based in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's oldest continuously operating community concert band,[1] and one of the country's oldest marching bands.[2] It is a member of the Canadian Band Association, Ontario chapter.[3] Its most recent conductor was Les Saville, who succeeded Bob Thiel in 1990 and retired in 2021.

It was the subject of the 1973 short film Goodbye Sousa produced by Tony Ianzelo, who was raised in the town and attended Newmarket High School.[2] The film won the Canadian Film Award for Theatrical Short.[4] The title is inspired from the music performed by the band, which includes the marches of John Philip Sousa.[5]

  1. ^ Carter 2011.
  2. ^ a b Carter 1994, p. 92.
  3. ^ Canadian Band Association.
  4. ^ Wise 2008.
  5. ^ National Film Board of Canada.