Our Story

The Peterborough Concert Band is one of the oldest, continuously operating community concert bands in all of Canada.  The original band was formed in 1858 (or slightly earlier) as the Rifle Brigade Band and became one of the finest military civilian brass bands in Ontario. Over the years it has been known as the Rifle Company Band, the Rural Band, the Peterborough Fire Brigade, the 57th Regimental Band, the Peterborough Citizen's Band, and the Peterborough Civic Concert Band (among others) before finally becoming the Peterborough Concert Band of today.  Some well known former band members include: Del Crary, Lorne Irwin, Herb Knox, Norman (Buzz) Buzzell, John Oosterbroek, Murray Mander, Bill Scott, Fred Huffman, and Charlie Ridpath, to name a few.

The Peterborough Concert Band is an award-winning wind ensemble having taken many honours at C.N.E. Band Competitions over the years.  Very early in its history, the band won the Amateur Band Championship for the Dominion of Canada!  One of the Peterborough Concert Band's predecessors provided music at the 75th Anniversary of the Lift Locks and it is most probable that it was an ancestor of today's band that played at the opening of the Peterborough Lift Locks in 1904. The band also took part in Peterborough’s 100th Anniversary celebration.

The Peterborough Concert Band continues its legacy as part of Peterborough’s arts community by performing a varied repertoire of popular contemporary music, show tunes, and classical gems at community events, retirement residences, schools, churches and parks in Peterborough and surrounding communities.  Visit our calendar on the Events page for information about where and when the band will be performing this year.  Let us share our love of music with you!

Fred Huffman Bursary

Student band members (secondary or post-secondary) may apply for the ‘Fred Huffman Bursary’. This bursary is available to any student, whether or not the student is pursuing a music degree.  The bursary honours the long service to the PCB of Fred Huffman.  Fred joined the band in 1957, and in 1960 took on the roles of Secretary Treasurer and Band Manager.  Fred served in these capacities for the next 38 years.  As Treasurer, Fred was responsible for making wise financial investments that helped the band develop a solid, lasting financial base.  He was a consummate performer – playing clarinet in the band, serving as MC at concerts, and providing vocals as needed.  Fred’s passion for the band, and his efforts in terms of its promotion, have been key to the continued success of the PCB which is one of the oldest continuously operating concert bands in Canada. Fred retired from the band in 2008, and in 2020 was inducted into Peterborough’s Pathway of Fame.