A.J. Paul LaPrairie: Difference between revisions

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==Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad==
==Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad==
During LaPrairie's time at Ajax, he came to the conclusion that a 'regimental' band was in order.  
During LaPrairie's time at Ajax, he came to the conclusion that a 'regimental' band was in order. He decided to personally undertake the task as the Direktor of Kultural Aktivities. At the time, he was still active in the Militia, and through his contacts in the Irish Regiment, he acquired the necessary equipment for what would become a world-famous band.
 
Scrounging through Fort York, the University Avenue and Fleet Street Armouries and the Sally Ann at Church and King Streets, he turned up a collection of Irish regiments' red tunics, some pith helmets, six Dragoon's brass helmets, a set of cymbals, a drummer's leopard skin, two tenor snare drums, a drum major's baton, and most importantly, a bass drum with one head (the open side was used to stockpile beer while "on parade" - a  tradition that occasionally re-appears in the present day).
 
The Band was founded some time in the calendar year 1949 - although the exact Skule year, '48-'49 or '49-'50, is unclear. They were first pictured in the 5T0 Yearbook, although Paul LaPrairie recounts the first events during the fall of 1948.
 
In any event, the first rehearsal fielded about a dozen people from all years consisting of trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, one flute, two snare drums, and the bass drum - a 'motley' group at best.
 
During the second practice, it was discovered that LaPrairie could not read music, and he was 'demoted' to bass drummer, while Tom Kenney became the leader for the '49-'50 Skule year.
 
The name of the Band was decided at a group session of the Engineering Society. The Lady Godiva Band was agreed upon by the group - but Bill Walker (later President of the Engineering Society) suggested the word "Memorial", and the name Lady Godiva Memorial Band stuck.
 
A.J. Paul LaPrairie recounted a particularly humorous episode of the LGMB in 1950. During a big football game at Varsity Stadium, the LGMB marched through the gates and onto the field. All the while, they were wearing great big moustaches. When they approached the fifty yard line, he noticed Sidney Smith, President of the University of Toronto, sitting in the front row. LaPrairie offered him a moustache, which he promptly put on. Thus, the LGMB made President Smith an Honorary Member of the LGMB.


==Skule Cannon==
==Skule Cannon==

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