Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad: Difference between revisions
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The LGMB tries to play an assortment of [[Skule]]-spirit, drinking, Christmas, and generally offensive songs. Choice of pieces is typically spontaneous; the bnad leedur(s) will start playing, and the rest of the group joins in or not. Certain scheduled events, such as the [[Toronto Santa Claus Parade|Santa Claus Parade]], require the bnad to refrain from certain items that are considered unsuitable for young children or society in general. As well, certain actions, events, or locations typically require certain songs to be played. For example, the "Walking Song" is played when the bnad walks, "Wipe Out" is played when the bnad returns to the Bnad Room through the archway on the west side of [[Hart House (University of Toronto)|Hart House]], and "[[Godiva's Hymn]]" is played in the presence of Ye Olde Mighty Skule Cannon. | The LGMB tries to play an assortment of [[Skule]]-spirit, drinking, Christmas, and generally offensive songs. Choice of pieces is typically spontaneous; the bnad leedur(s) will start playing, and the rest of the group joins in or not. Certain scheduled events, such as the [[Toronto Santa Claus Parade|Santa Claus Parade]], require the bnad to refrain from certain items that are considered unsuitable for young children or society in general. As well, certain actions, events, or locations typically require certain songs to be played. For example, the "Walking Song" is played when the bnad walks, "Wipe Out" is played when the bnad returns to the Bnad Room through the archway on the west side of [[Hart House (University of Toronto)|Hart House]], and "[[Godiva's Hymn]]" is played in the presence of Ye Olde Mighty Skule Cannon. | ||
During an event, bnad members play an instrument of their choice including traditional instruments such as | During an event, bnad members play an instrument of their choice including traditional instruments such as bass drum, snare drum, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, sousaphone, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and cymbals, as well as non-traditional instruments including electric guitar (with portable amplifier), electronic keyboard, slide whistle, kazoo, washboard, bedpan, maraca, and fire bell. | ||
Bnad leedurs typically play the trombone for its simplicity, range, and volume, though other instruments are occasionally taken. The D(r)umb Majur(k) plays snare drum without exception, but may improvise by playing any other instrument, object, or person as a drum during certain pieces. | Bnad leedurs typically play the trombone for its simplicity, range, and volume, though other instruments are occasionally taken. The D(r)umb Majur(k) plays snare drum without exception, but may improvise by playing any other instrument, object, or person as a drum during certain pieces. | ||
==Bnad members== | ==Bnad members== | ||
The LGMB advertises that any student in the | The LGMB advertises that any student in the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering is a member of the Bnad by default. However, a more practical definition of a bnad member is anyone who has attended a bnad event. No musical talent is required to play with the LGMB, which is perhaps the greatest contributing factor to the group's unique performance. | ||
Current and Recent Bnad Leedurs: | Current and Recent Bnad Leedurs: | ||
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Some notable members of the LGMB have been: | Some notable members of the LGMB have been: | ||
* | *Sidney Smith (c.1950) | ||
*A.J. Paul La Prairie (c.1949–1950) | *A.J. Paul La Prairie (c.1949–1950) | ||
*Tim Allan (c.1968–1972) | *Tim Allan (c.1968–1972) | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
The Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad was founded circa 1950, by A.J. Paul La Prairie while he was a student at the | The Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad was founded circa 1950, by A.J. Paul La Prairie while he was a student at the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. Originally called The Lady Godiva Band, it was soon renamed to the Lady Godiva Memorial Band, a name suggested by the University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering#Traditions and student life|University of Toronto Engineering Society]] President Bill Walker. They have since become the Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad. | ||
The original band had about fifteen members and was initially led by their founder A.J. Paul La Prairie. During their second rehearsal, however, it was discovered that La Prairie could not read music, so the band was turned over to Tom Kenney, a chemical engineering student. | The original band had about fifteen members and was initially led by their founder A.J. Paul La Prairie. During their second rehearsal, however, it was discovered that La Prairie could not read music, so the band was turned over to Tom Kenney, a chemical engineering student. | ||
The LGMB's first uniform consisted of a few red military jackets and pith helmets. The uniform along with their first bass drum, two | The LGMB's first uniform consisted of a few red military jackets and pith helmets. The uniform along with their first bass drum, two tenor drums, cymbals and a drum major's baton were courtesy of La Prairie's resourcefulness and his military connections. Those who didn't wear military jackets were often seen in the traditional leather jacket of the engineering faculty. Later, members began to wear their decorated hardhats to events. The first public appearance of the LGMB was at the Annual Homecoming Parade on the back of a flatbed truck. [http://archives.library.utoronto.ca/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=GET_RECORD&BU=http%3A//archives.library.utoronto.ca/dbtw-wpd/textbase/175image/&TN=175image&SN=AUTO2465&SE=1158&RN=4&MR=10&RF=175report&DF=175expanded&RL=0&DL=0&NP=3&ID=] | ||
An account of one of the first events given by A.J. Paul La Prairie: | An account of one of the first events given by A.J. Paul La Prairie: | ||
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<blockquote>We did have one parade that I do remember, with humour. There was a big football game at Varsity Stadium. The L.G.M.B. marched up and, to the amazement of the ticket collectors, we played our way right through the gate and on to the field. For this event we were all wearing great big moustaches. When we came to the fifty yard line I noticed Sidney Smith sitting in front. I offered him a moustache, which he put on. The band serenaded him. Ergo, Sidney Smith, President of The University of Toronto, became an Honorary Member of the L.G.M.B. (La Prairie 1994) [http://traditions.skule.ca/articles/ajax/alumni/laprairie.php]</blockquote> | <blockquote>We did have one parade that I do remember, with humour. There was a big football game at Varsity Stadium. The L.G.M.B. marched up and, to the amazement of the ticket collectors, we played our way right through the gate and on to the field. For this event we were all wearing great big moustaches. When we came to the fifty yard line I noticed Sidney Smith sitting in front. I offered him a moustache, which he put on. The band serenaded him. Ergo, Sidney Smith, President of The University of Toronto, became an Honorary Member of the L.G.M.B. (La Prairie 1994) [http://traditions.skule.ca/articles/ajax/alumni/laprairie.php]</blockquote> | ||
Another notable event attended by the LGMB was the | Another notable event attended by the LGMB was the Bloor-Danforth subway line opening on February 26, 1966. According to ''The Ubyssey'', a University of British Columbia student newspaper, 500 University of Toronto engineering students led by the LGMB "lept over turnstiles" and the first 400 students piled onto a train. One of the remaining students then pulled the emergency power switch. This event interfered with regular service for more than five hours. The LGMB has been accused of causing this disruption; however, their involvement is not verified. [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/pdfs/ubyssey/UBYSSEY_1966_03_01.pdf] This day was subsequently celebrated for years to come as [[St. Ralph's Day]] after Ralph C. Day, a former mayor of Toronto and the director of the Toronto Transit Commission at the time. | ||
The next year, the LGMB produced their first of six albums to date, ''Lady Godiva Memorial Band at the Mighty Cannonball'' (1962). Also produced by the LGMB were ''The Lady Godiva Memorial Band Strikes Back!!'' (1964), ''Lady Godiva Memorial Band Blows'' (1967), ''Band With the Runs'' (1977), ''Never Mind the Football Game'', ''Here's the Lady Godiva Memorial Band'' (1989), and ''Let Go Me Bongos!'' (CD 1999). | The next year, the LGMB produced their first of six albums to date, ''Lady Godiva Memorial Band at the Mighty Cannonball'' (1962). Also produced by the LGMB were ''The Lady Godiva Memorial Band Strikes Back!!'' (1964), ''Lady Godiva Memorial Band Blows'' (1967), ''Band With the Runs'' (1977), ''Never Mind the Football Game'', ''Here's the Lady Godiva Memorial Band'' (1989), and ''Let Go Me Bongos!'' (CD 1999). | ||
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In the 1970s, at the beginning of University of Toronto Frosh Week each year, the LGMB met on the lawn in front of the Ontario provincial legislature. There with engineering, law, medical and arts first year students they received a speech from the presiding Premier of Ontario. During the ceremony the band played several "standard" selections as well as the engineering cheer song. | In the 1970s, at the beginning of University of Toronto Frosh Week each year, the LGMB met on the lawn in front of the Ontario provincial legislature. There with engineering, law, medical and arts first year students they received a speech from the presiding Premier of Ontario. During the ceremony the band played several "standard" selections as well as the engineering cheer song. | ||
In 1976, the LGMB won a second place award in the | In 1976, the LGMB won a second place award in the Kiwanis Music Festival in class 425 (Brass and Reed Bands — Open). Paul Higgins led the LGMB to a first place award in class 501 (Brass and Reed Bands — membership to be less than 30), in a different year, for their performance of ''First Suite for Military Band in E Flat'' by Gustav Holst. | ||
In the fall of 1976 the LGMB played at the | In the fall of 1976 the LGMB played at the CN tower alongside Pierre Trudeau and his wife Margaret Trudeau, becoming the first band to play at the CN Tower. | ||
About the same time, just before their 1977 album, a new uniform began to appear. Along with the engineering jacket and decorated hardhat, members wore hockey shirts adorned with the LGMB logo on the front. These shirts were originally mostly yellow with blue and white accents. (The [[Skule]] colours are blue and gold.) This design was updated to mostly blue with yellow and white accents in 1993. | About the same time, just before their 1977 album, a new uniform began to appear. Along with the engineering jacket and decorated hardhat, members wore hockey shirts adorned with the LGMB logo on the front. These shirts were originally mostly yellow with blue and white accents. (The [[Skule]] colours are blue and gold.) This design was updated to mostly blue with yellow and white accents in 1993. | ||
In 2000, the LGMB sat in the audience for a showing of | In 2000, the LGMB sat in the audience for a showing of Jonovision. They were mentioned briefly by the host Jonathan Torrens. The LGMB also made it onto Breakfast Television on September 3, 2002. | ||
==Albums and discography== | ==Albums and discography== | ||