Music has always been an integral part of Carman’s culture. From 1881 to 1998, the Carman Band enriched several communities with its astounding musicianship and superior precision. For instance, the Carman Band performed several breathtaking concerts at the Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg and Kings Park in Carman.
The Carman Band was led by several band leaders such as Les Allison. In 1974, Ed Manteufel became the music director and he combined the Carman Band and the Carman Collegiate Band. As a result of this amalgamation, the band was named the Carman Community Band.
The Carman Band had various opportunities to take part in music camps in Manitoba and the United States. In 1974 and 1976, members of the Carman Band were able to take part in a summer music camp at the International Peace Gardens. Also, in 1975, Ed Manteufel and several band members drove to Shell Lake, Wisconsin to participate in the Shell Lake Jazz Camp. Various members were instructed by Dominic Spera, a trumpet player who has worked with many artists such as Barbra Streisand, Bob Hope and Petula Clark. Spera even came to Carman in 1976 and performed with the Carman Community Band. These experiences allowed each band member to expand their musical knowledge and grow in their performance ability.
Although the Carman Band has ended its musical journey, the band’s unique and magnificent music lives on in the hearts of many.
The Dufferin Historical Museum celebrates the band’s legacy by dedicating a portion of the museum to the Carman Band. This area includes information on the band it also showcases many instruments such as the alto horn and bass drum that were played by band members. As a result of the community’s musical history, people are encouraged to explore the museum’s rich and captivating music display.
Musical Instruments in the Museum
Along with the many instruments that were played in the Carman Band the museum is home to several unique instruments, such as the dulcimer (a fretted string instrument that has four strings), a guitar-zither (a musical instrument that consists of a soundbox with two sets of unstopped strings), and a Pianola (a self-playing piano). Also displayed in the museum is a violin from England and a flute that is over 100 years old. As you tour throughout the museum, you will discover several organs and pianos, which would have been played by the pioneers.
Written by: By Rachael Smith