North Buxton, 1955 -75

We had many dreams that came true in the 50's, dreams that would affect us into the 60's and bring many happy and proud memories in the future. Among the dreamers was Ira Shadd, who not only talked almost daily of forming a marching band in North Buxton but who, suiting his actions to words, helped make his dream a reality.

Practice time.

The North Buxton Maple Leaf Band was the fulfillment of an early ambition and on October 17, 1952, he organized a music class with a community band as a goal. Syd Sutton, of Chatham, was hired as music instructor and remained with the group as teacher and band master for a number of years. In 1955, Ira's dream came true when the band was organized in January. It participated in its first parade at Windsor, May 15th, when it led the Easter Day Parade for the members of the Order of the Eastern Star. That was the first of ten engagements in its initial year, with the help of bandmaster, Ragnar Steen, the band held its first tattoo on the Methodist Church Grounds.

Although the band was off to a flying start, supplying the young members with money for lessons instruments and uniforms was sometimes difficult for many of the parents to do. Occasionally Ira would have to pay what was owed from his own funds. In an effort to make it easier for the pupils, he then learned to play all the instruments himself and was able to pass on the basics to the youngsters free of charge. A classroom was set up to the rear of the grocery store and an attendance chart was posted on the door complete with stars which indicated the progress of the pupils. And many an ear-splitting noise leaking out of that room assaulted the ears of Ira's customers, only to be transformed into excellent band music just a few months later.

Ira Shadd Pictures and text from Legacy to Buxton by A.C. Robbins

Seeing the need for added support to the band, the Band Parents Association with Archie Prince as president, was formed to help share the responsibilities for paying for lessons and getting to and from its various engagements. With this assistance the band made steady progress. Fund raising projects were initiated and other organizations such as the combined Church Choirs, many of whom were also band members, gave additional support in those early years.

Besides the tattoos, when Mr. Sutton came back to give them direction, the Maple Leaf Band participated in such annual affairs as May Day, Emancipation Day and International Freedom Festival Parades in Windsor, the Pied Piper Playground Parade and the Jaycee Fair parades in Chatham as well as the Lodge parades in both Ontario and United States. The Merlin Fair and the Labour Day Homecoming Parade usually ended the season's activities.

During its peak years, the band participated in tattoos at Amherstburg, Blenheim, Cottam, Forest, Harrow, Leamington, Kingsville, Essex, Ridgetown, Rodney, Bothwell, Highgate, Thamesville, Thedford and Wheatley.

Highlights of the band over the years were -- its tattoos which were widely attended and very successful, the honour of being one of only two bands from Kent County invited to play with other bands on the occasion of the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1963, the fact that it was invited to play at the opening ceremonies of the Ontario Hospital for Retarded Children at Cedar Springs Ontario on September 22, 1960, the winning of the trophy for best marching band at the Dominion Day Parade at Windsor in 1962, and its participation in the parade at Chatham honouring the homecoming of Fergie Jenkins in 1967-- all of these triumphs of the Maple Leaf Band of North Buxton will be remembered with pride.

By the time the 70's rolled around many of the young people who had made up the bulk of the band members, had grown to maturity and Ira himself was beginning to show signs of declining health. In 1958 Ira had been named the Kent County Man of the Year for his work with the Band and young people by the Ridgetown, Wallaceburg and Chatham Jaycees. Now in the last years of his life he would be honoured by his home folks.

In 1972, he would receive the Prince Hall Freedom Fighters Award from the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Michigan and Ontario Jurisdictions; a trophy from his own beloved Maple Leaf Band "to the Band Leader with the most patience and understanding" and in November 1974, the Centennial Community Club presented him with its first Better Buxton Award as the founder of the first Community Club and the Maple Leaf Band. Ira's death at the end of 1974, deprived the remaining band members of much of the driving force that had kept the band going for over twenty years. Honouring their "Music Man", the band made its last appearance in the Homecoming parade the following Labour Day. And Ira Shadd, Mr. Music Man will long be remembered for his work with young people and the Maple Leaf Band of North Buxton.

Listen to the Maple Leaf Band (Real Audio)