Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad: Difference between revisions
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==Repertoire and instrumentation== | ==Repertoire and instrumentation== | ||
The LGMB tries to play an assortment of | 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]] will start playing, and the rest of the group joins in or not. Certain scheduled events, such as the Toronto 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, 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 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. | 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. | ||
The Bnad Leedur may play any instrument he/she is competent at. In recent years, most Bnad Leedurs have played the trombone, trumpet, or saxophone, however, they have also been known to play instruments such as the guitar or sousaphone. 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. | The Bnad Leedur may play any "melody" instrument he/she is competent at. In recent years, most Bnad Leedurs have played the trombone, trumpet, or saxophone, however, they have also been known to play instruments such as the guitar or sousaphone. 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. | ||
[[Image:LGMB 2009-2010.jpg|300px|thumb|[[LGMB_Gradball_Photos|LGMB at Gradball 2010]]]] | [[Image:LGMB 2009-2010.jpg|300px|thumb|[[LGMB_Gradball_Photos|LGMB at Gradball 2010]]]] | ||
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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 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 and student life University of Toronto Engineering Society President Bill Walker. They have since become the Lady Godiva Memorial Bnad. | 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 and student life [[President|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. | ||
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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). | ||
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 [[F!rosh Week|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 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 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. | ||
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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. Also in 2002, the LGMB continued its subway opening traditions by riding on the opening subway of the Sheppard Subway line. | 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. Also in 2002, the LGMB continued its subway opening traditions by riding on the opening subway of the Sheppard Subway line. | ||
[[Image:LGMB_at_Santa_Claus_Parade_2007.jpg|300px|thumb|right|LGMB at its first official appearance in the | [[Image:LGMB_at_Santa_Claus_Parade_2007.jpg|300px|thumb|right|LGMB at its first official appearance in the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, in 2007]] | ||
After years of 'crashing' the Toronto Santa Claus Parade uninvited (and often resulting in police escorts away from the parade), the LGMB was finally invited to participate in the nationally-televised parade in 2007 when the organizers of the parade needed a last-minute replacement band for the event. The Bnad was amply rewarded with BEvERages for the service, and has been invited back to the Santa Claus Parade every year since. | After years of 'crashing' the Toronto Santa Claus Parade uninvited (and often resulting in police escorts away from the parade), the LGMB was finally invited to participate in the nationally-televised parade in 2007 when the organizers of the parade needed a last-minute replacement band for the event. The Bnad was amply rewarded with BEvERages for the service, and has been invited back to the Santa Claus Parade every year since. | ||