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About the Ayr-Paris Band |
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2024 Executive
Back row, from
left:
back row from left: Vice-President Irene Adeney; Past President Dan Kocher;
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In 1999, the band donated 25% of the cost and raised the funds to build the Centennial Park Pavilion (shown below) in downtown Ayr. The Opening Ceremonies featured the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra from Ayr, Scotland.  |
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Located in Southern Ontario, Canada, the Ayr-Paris Band performs in concert, in parades at local festivals, churches, Remembrance services, and other special events. The band also performs a series of free concerts at the Centennial Park Pavilion and other locations. (see the schedule). The band is a diverse group with has members from all walks of life, age groups and musical skill levels. Members come from towns surrounding Ayr, including Paris, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Drumbo, and St. George. Some members grew up in the band and are now watching their own children learn an instrument. It's a positive environment for young learners as many of the adults take on the role of mentor/teacher to the Junior band, then as those students become more advanced they help the newer members. The Junior Band is a free service which encourages good playing techniques, mentored by senior band members and have several performances through the year. It's not all kids in the Junior group! Adults use it as a place to learn an instrument or to get comfortable with a horn after not playing for a while. When they're ready, Junior band members are welcomed to the senior group. The band is fortunate to receive several grants and donations throughout the year, but are mostly self-funded. Thanks to the help of many volunteers within the band and members families, they manage everything the band wants to do by rolling up sleeves and getting to work. |
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Merry (Brunton) Schmidt has been conductor of the Band since 2001 and previously a long-time member of the Band. She grew up just outside of Paris, Ontario at Etonia. She holds her Bachelor of Music Degree from Laurier University, a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Western Ontario. She is also accomplished on violin and clarinet and teaches music at Cedar Creek School in Ayr. Merry is a member of the K-W Community Orchestra. |
Richelle Kocher is from Ayr, Ontario. She has been conductor of the Ayr-Paris Junior Band since 2002 and a member of the Band since 1993. Her educational background includes an Honours Bachelor of Arts, Wilfrid Laurier University; major in English, minor in Music. She received her Bachelor of Education from Brock University in 2001. Richelle is an Elementary school teacher for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. She is the recipient of various musical awards and has worked at National Music Camp of Canada during the summer. |
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Our 50th Anniversary Celebration
On Sunday morning many joined us for an outdoor church service in Centennial Park at the pavilion. Guest minister is Rev. Doug Willis and music was provided by the Ayr Paris Band and Ayr, Scotland Pipers. There are still a few of the anniversary books and CD. Contact Heidi, [email protected]. |
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Photo Album Click on images for larger pictures. Images will be in a new browser window
Email is [email protected] This page was last updated June 04, 2024
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The Ayr-Paris Band
held a Tattoo in 2006 to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. On June 17th,
we invited alumni and present band members to join us for an afternoon of
food and fun in Ayr, and in the evening everyone is invited to our Musical
Tattoo. Everyone enjoyed three pipe bands, three brass bands, Scottish and North Dumfries Dignitaries,
Irish/Scottish Dancers, Singers and Scottish Pipers as we celebrate and have
a Twinning with Ayr Scotland. 
