Featured Bands 2019

The 48^th Highlanders of Canada were formed in 1891 by a group of Toronto citizens of Scottish ancestry. From these humble beginnings, the 48^th Highlanders have excelled in service to their country earning a total of 49 battle honours, the most of any active unit in Canada. It started with South Africa and the Boer War. Later, they added honours from the First and Second world wars. The 48 th distinguished themselves in some of the most famous battles including Ypres, the Somme and Vimy in World War I and the Sicily and Italy campaigns in World war II ending in North West Europe and the liberation of Apeldoorn in Holland.

In recent years, the Bands of the 48^th Highlanders have perhaps become the most recognizable part of the Regiment, but current soldiers have continued to answer the call to serve in such places as Bosnia, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan where they continue to distinguish themselves as evidenced with one member earning the Medal of Bravery for actions after a suicide bomber attack near Kandahar and a former highlander making the supreme sacrifice.

These part time soldiers are an essential part of the defense of Canada and contribute greatly to the safety of Toronto. They appear this evening by the kind permission of their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Harold Pedwell, CD.

The Band is based at Fort York in Toronto and has a continuous tradition reaching back to 1863, making it the oldest permanently formed military band in Canada.  A decree by Queen Victoria authorized the Regiment to wear the distinctive scarlet uniform and bear skin cap of the “Guards” on all ceremonial occasions. The Royals Band has long been fortunate to have gifted and dedicated members, and these include symphonic, brass band and jazz players

The Band appears at various functions across Canada and Internationally. The Royals engagements include ‘live to air’ radio broadcasts, park concerts, military and civilian parades and military tattoos.  In recent years the band performed at The Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta, GA, and tattoos in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Whistler, BC, Gettysburg, PA and Kingston, ON.  In June of 2006, The Royals represented Canada at the 16^th Annual Festival of Military Music in Krakow, Poland. In November 2009, the Regiment was presented with new Colours at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, by HRH Charles Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Canada. In April 2012 The Regiment commenced its 150^th Anniversary celebrations with a Gala Band Concert at Toronto’s Koerner Hall. In May 2016 The Regiment was granted the Freedom of The City and paraded through the streets of Toronto with Military Band leading. On Canada Day 2017 the Royals performed in Ottawa for the official Canada 150 Celebrations at Rideau Hall with HRH Prince Charles and His Excellency David Johnson in attendance. In May 0f 2018 The Band was honoured to return to The Living Arts Centre in Mississauga to perform with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra.  On July 1^st 2018 the Band was joined by The Pipes and Drums of The 48^th Highlanders of Canada, to celebrate Canada Day at the magnificent Kingsbrae Gardens Amphitheatre in St Andrews, NB. The bands performed before a capacity audience of 2500 concert goers.

Director of Music is Captain Kevin Anderson, CD, Band Sergeant Major is Sergeant Sheila Andrews, CD.  The Band performs by kind permission of LCol Joseph Nonato, CD – Commanding Officer.

The 163 Pipes & Drums is a volunteer band serving south western Ontario and Western New York. We participate in local parades, fund raisers, special events and Legion functions. The band was formed in 1969 and is this year celebrating its 50th Anniversary. A new bass drum head, featuring a stag’s head, poppies and a Canadian Maple Leaf was commissioned to honour the history of the band and celebrate their anniversary. The Gaelic words “Caber Feidh” on our new logo honour the history of the McKenzie tartan we proudly wear. We always look forward to being a part of the Dundas Cactus Parade.

Formed in 2006 the trio of Doug, Roy and Duncan has performed their mix of originals and the best of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s throughout the Golden Horseshoe.

They are excited to be playing in the Dundas Cactus Parade for the 12^th time and are happy to announce that their new CD “The Barr Band – I Live For You” will be available during performances over the Cactus Festival weekend at the Winchester Arms.

The Dundas Pipes and Drums is a competition band that has been in operation for over 50 years. During this time, it has been featured in many competitions, parades, concerts and tattoos in Ontario. Since it’s inception, the band has maintained high standards of piping, drumming and teaching, bringing the traditions and love of Highland music to the community. We are a “Not for Profit” Band whose mission is to pass on our legacy of teaching and playing the pipes and drums.

The Dundas Pipes & Drums is made up of experienced players and up and comers. We come from all walks of life and range in age from 14 to over 70. What we all have in common is a love of highland music and a desire to become better players.

The Grimsby Pipe Band formed in 1999 on the initiative of Gordon Scott, a local musician who played bagpipes for several years with the Dofasco Pipes & Drums. The band performs across southwestern Ontario at parades, fairs & festivals and look forward to the Dundas Cactus Parade. 

The HYSO provides local youth with the opportunity for positive interaction, music expression and music literacy.  The group was founded in 2004 and currently boasts a core group of 25 dedicated players 10 of whom have been with the orchestra since it’s inception. The players range in age from 5 to 20 and reflect the diversity of the Greater Hamilton area.

Impact performs in all types of entertainment venues around Southern Ontario, The Group has performed for thousands including nationally televised events like Much Music Video Awards and the Gemini Awards.  The Group appears at most Tiger-Cats (CFL) home games. Through the years they have educated more than 300 Hamilton area youth.

The Silver Leaves Brass is made up primarily of players from the horn line. It is one of five Preston Scout House member groups. Sweet Caroline, Hooked on a Feeling and One Fine morning are just a few of their highlight numbers.  They have performed in the Dundas Cactus Parade for over 20 years and always look forward to coming to our beautiful town.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the Tomato Soup Band. The 20 enthusiastic members take pride in being the unofficial good-will ambassadors for the Dutch – Canadian community and for the city of London.  They travel throughout Ontario to play at Parades, fairs & festivals and are very excited to continue their tradition of being a part of the Dundas Cactus Parade. The Band’s unique style and happy 7 spirited repertoire contribute to the multicultural richness of Canada.

Burlington’s Top Hat Marching Orchestra stroll, saunter, and laugh out loud as they entertain crowds at parades and other events throughout Ontario and beyond.

The Top Hats have been enthusiastically welcomed at the 2018 Montreal St Patrick’s Day Parade, The West Virginia Strawberry Festival Parade, the San Antonio Fiesta Flambeau Parade, at Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Key West Fantasy Fest Parade, and the New Orleans Mardi Gras Parade. They are excited to be returning to Key West in October 2019 for a repeat performance in their Fantasy Fest Parade!

The Top Hats are talented musicians, known for their fun-loving nature, spirited performances, and original music arrangements, packaged in an informal, laid back marching style. The Top Hats only dress formally!

Trickbag has been entertaining music lovers live and on record for over two and a half decades. They are now poised to open another exciting musical chapter in their long history. The recent addition of new member Steve Beach, a master of the mighty Hammond organ has revitalized the classic Trickbag sound. He joins guitarist Larry Feudo, drummer Paul Panchezak and vocalist Donna Panchezak, veteran members who have been at the helm of the band since its inception.

Trickbag music crosses many boundaries. It encompasses rocking blues, roots music, classic Americana, soul sounds, delta blues and rhythm and blues with a distinctly southern flavour. So diverse and yet it always sounds like Trickbag. Over the years they have released four acclaimed CDs: Trickbag, Cacti Redux , Tricknology  and North End Ramble –several of which were nominated for Hamilton Music Awards and tracks from Tricknology were included as incidental music for the popular television series One Tree Hill, New Girl and Heart of Dixie.

Their recording career is also complemented by many club and concert performances including appearances at the Toronto Harbourfront Blues Festival, the Festival of Friends, It’s Your Festival, the Royal Botanical Gardens Jazz and Blues Series, the Burlington and St. Catharines Rib Fests, the Toronto Beaches Jazz and Blues Festival, the Canal Bank Shuffle Fest, the Ancaster Fieldcote Museum Concert Series, the Dundas Cactus Festival, the Blues With a Feeling Tribute to King Biscuit Boy and the Hamilton Westdale Blues and Roots Festival among others. Trickbag has also served as opening act for a number of renowned acts including Downchild, Colin James and Big Sugar. Trickbag looks forward to seeing all our Dundas friends once again at our favourite annual event.