The Maple Leaf Brass Band from 1994 to 2006

Our founding dates back to 1994. Our director, David Druce, arrived in Canada from Britain in 1992 and observed that while Ottawa had a number of community concert bands and orchestras it lacked a top-calibre brass band. David mentioned this to a local businessman who promptly offered to sponsor one, and a nucleus quickly came together. One group of original members were veterans of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Band that had been decommissioned in 1993. Others came from ensembles that they continued to play in such as the Governor General's Foot Guards Band and the Centralaires.

In 2000, we became self-supporting. Since then we have made a strong effort to build our repertoire of Canadian works, especially with original pieces by composers and arrangers from Ottawa, and to bring these works to the people of Ottawa and the rest of the world.

In 1999, we began a developmental band for people who are just starting to play brass instruments and for those who perhaps haven't played for a while and want to brush up their skills.

We introduced the "Instant Band" concept to the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) competition in Red Wing, Minnesota in 1997. We recruited a full band from across the USA and Canada, trained them in two twelve-hour rehearsals to play three challenging competition pieces, and played them successfully.

The band has shown steady growth in performance level and reputation.  We perform between twelve and eighteen times a year, often in benefit performances for charities that have raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years.  Some significant performances include: