The Yorkton Town Band of the late teens and early 1920s, was under the direction of longtime leader William T. Moore. He is seated on the roof of the cab alongside the drum. The truck was a new model used in Mr. Moore’s oil business and the band was taking part in the fair parade that day. One of the greatest success stories here was that of Levi Reaman’s — grandson to pioneer Joel Reaman. Levi’s violin career began in the early 1920s. He received the second highest violin score at the Southern Music Festival, where he was first in Class C Competition. The band played at various music festivals in the province, such as at Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon and Yorkton. Over the years, several young Yorkton musicians and singers won many awards. The few names mentioned other than Levi Reaman are: Nora Polski, Orest Stechishin, Jack Lehman, Kathleen Hemsworth. All of these young talented individuals who made up the band were always welcomed home from various performances by the mayor and the citizens. On one occasion the welcome included a parade of 60 or 70 automobiles! Much credit was given to the teachers such as Ernie Crosthwaite and Percy Dallin. In 1932, Yorkton held its last concert. The Depression had taken its toll!
Source of information: N. Roebuck scrap book: Excerpt from article and photo of the Yorkton Band. Yorkton This Week, June 23, 1982.
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton Archives,
Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North
Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
heritage@yorkton.ca
