(Wed July 12, 7:30 pm)

The Ulster Accordion Band Social Club was originally founded in 1954 by a group of immigrants from Northern Ireland to provide a social community for new arrivals in Canada and to foster the love of band music among its members. Ireland is divided into four provinces, one of which is Ulster. All of the founding members of the band were from this province, hence the name. Its first engagement took place the following year.

On August 11, 1958, it was incorporated as a corporation without share capital by the Province of Ontario.The band continues to operate in accordance with the terms of its original charter which are as follows:
1. To teach men and women in the art of band music without expense to the pupils.
2. To establish, maintain and conduct a club for the accommodation and recreation of its members and their friends by conducting dances, and to provide a clubhouse and to promote sociability and fraternalism among its members.
3. To carry on charitable and relief work of all kinds and to receive and collect gifts and donations for that purpose.

The band was originally formed as a marching band and is believed to be the first button-keyed accordion band in North America. It was comprised of accordions, drums and a colour party and, for a few years, a group of majorettes.

MAJOR PAST ENGAGEMENTS OF THE ULSTER ACCORDION BAND CANADA

* BEAUMONT HAMEL MEMORIAL PARADE in St. John's, Newfoundland and the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the founding of Newfoundland
* BREAKFAST TELEVISION on CITY TV in Toronto, Ontario
* CALGARY STAMPEDE in Calgary, Alberta
* CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION in Toronto, Ontario
* DAIMLER-CHRYSLER PARADE for the presentation of the one millionth minivan in Toronto, Ontario
* DOWNHOME FESTIVAL in Greenwood Conservation Area, Ontario
* KITCHENER OKTOBERFEST PARADE in Kitchener, Ontario
* MARKHAM THEATRE in Toronto, Ontario
* PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION in Vancouver, British Columbia
* QUEBEC WINTER CARNIVAL in Quebec City, Quebec
* ROYAL BANK SENIORS' JUBILEE CONCERT at ROY THOMSON HALL in Toronto, Ontario
* TORONTO SANTA CLAUS PARADE in Toronto, Ontario
* URANIUM FESTIVAL PARADE in Elliot Lake, Ontario
* WINTER GARDEN THEATRE in Toronto, Ontario
* VETERANS' APPRECIATION CONCERT in Toronto, Ontario
* SCOTTISH AND IRISH FESTIVAL in Trenton, Ontario

UNITED STATES

* ACCORDION FESTIVAL in Leavenworth, Washington
(check out the pictures from the Accordion Festival at King Ludwigs Restaurant)
* DISNEY WORLD CHRISTMAS PARADE in Orlando, Florida
* FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CHRISTMAS PARADE in Daytona Beach, Florida
* KING ORANGE BOWL PARADE in Miami, Florida
* STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL PARADE in Buckhannon, West Virginia
* VETERANS' PARADE at the ERIE COUNTY FAIR in Hamburg, New York

OVERSEAS

* FRANCE (1991) for the celebrations commemorating the 75th anniversary of the BATTLE OF THE SOMME
* HOLLAND and FRANCE (2000) was the host band at the services commemorating the 84th anniversary of the BATTLE OF THE SOMME.
* ENGLAND and FRANCE (2002) was the host band for the ceremonies at the site of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy. The Band also performed a concert near Pegasus Bridge at the first house liberated June 5/6, 1944 by the 6th Airborne Division. (check out the pictures from Juno Beach)
* NORTHERN IRELAND (2005) for a tour of 5 concerts in September. The proceeds of $24,000 were donated to local charities. See poster for details.