HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-07-13, Page 15ioderich Signal -Star • Wednesday, July 13, 2011
im Hamilton has played horn for 80 years
Linfield
v can say they've been
ing on a horn for eighty
, but that's the story of
n County's Jim Hamilton.
gh the sound that comes
his well -used trombone is
trong, Jim is soon to retire
the many bands and musi-
ups of which he is a mem-
ecause macular degenera-
making it difficult -for him
his music.
doubtful that many in the
re aware of the caliber of
ian they have had in .their
t. Jim has had a musical
r that can be described both
strious and exhaustive.
rn in Belfast to a mother
layed, violin with the Bel-
ymphony Orchestra, Jim
d to Ontario when he was
He first joined a strings
at school and was then
ited to his local Canadian
n's band, where he played
out any formal lessons) the
trumpet, French horn, and
trombone,
a teenager, Jim played for
ci ntyre Gold Mine band in
tins and was paid in the
of a mining job. He filled
enings by performing with
dance bands where, at. .a
e performance, he would
Doth brass and woodwind
I stents - a challenging feat
it-,
ring the war, Jim played
small band .in Gander and
ually joined the Mr Force
band, playing in the London,
England studios for the BBC
Armed Forces radio. He also
toured with Bob Hope where he
was paid a new trombone in lieu
of money.
It was after the war when Jim
and his war bride, Jean, moved
to Toronto that Jim's musical
career really took off. He joined
the Toronto Musician's Union
and started playing gigs all over
Ontario, and though money was
sometimes tight, he took formal
music lessons (at the Royal Con-
servatory) for the first time.
He auditioned for the Toronto
Symphony Orchestra and played
"on service" alongside his.
teacher, Harry Stevenson - a big
name in the brass band world,
(This meant that he was called to
play when the score called for
more than one trombone.)
Jim has played with a variety of
well-known musicians, includ-
ing the great trumpeter and con-
ductor, Ellis McLintock, who
expressed to him the difference
between playing notes and play-
ing music. He played in the
Stratford Festival Theatre with
Eugene Watts, a trombonist for
the Canadian Brass, who would
give him tips on posture and, air-
flow. He performed with the
original Guy Lombardo Band in
London, Ontario, and later in his
career did a Florida tour with the
same band under the direction
of Al Pierson.
With the TSO, he once played
under the direction of Sir Ernest
MacMillan,: Canada's famed
"Musical Knight." When Mac-
Millan stopped the guest trum-
pet soloist during a practice and
explained to him the way in
which he wanted the part played,
the soloist replied that he had
always played it differently. Mac-
Millan
acMillan didn't argue. He simply
smiled and said., "Thank you.
You may go."
Jim recalls doing one show
with Mel Tonne at the Royal
York. Three trombonists and a
French horn player were lined
up behind Mel on stage, using
cardboard stands
with lights attached
to their tops. At
one point during
the performance
the French horn
player's stand
caught fire. Nobody
missed a beat. The
fire was put out
quickly and hardly
anyone in the audi-
ence even noticed.
In the CBC stu-
dios there was never
any need to play
pianissimo: or fortis-
simo, since the engi-
neers could adjust
the sounds of the
individual instru-
ments to any level they pleased,
even dubbing over wrong notes.
Surprisingly, some of the most,
challenging music Jim played
was the background scores for
children's cartoons.
Even as Jim reached the age
when many are retiring;
he continued playing his trombone. He was Principal Trombonist with the Port
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (where he used to winter), and was a member of a
Brass Quintet that could fill a hall designed for l 500 and had members from
orchestras all over the world, including the famed La Scala Opera House in
Italy. Closer to home he has played with the Encore Band In London, the Stratford
Concert Band, and the Lighthouse Swing Band. There are so many other bands
and orchestras Jim has played with that even he would likely not be able to name
them all.
Jim will likely continue arranging music for the Suncoast Brass Quartet and will
mentor younger tro ' ► . nists in the Goderich Laketown Band. Tim's final perform-
ance will be on July ' • in Harbour Park and the people of Goderich should be
honoured to have the opportunity to see and hear him play. Everyone is encour-
aged to come out to support him and the rest of the band.
photo =WNW
Huron County's Jim Hamilton has been
playing a horn for 80 years and the member
of the Goderich Laketown Band will be
playing his final concert.
Wind Turbines
uments to the most basic weakness of man, to the 21st century as a time when community
onger matters and to the gross waste of our. hard -earn Tars as theyflow to wealthy
ign investors.
y now do we understand the strategic, intended exploitation of , it unsuspecting
unity.
have been bought off, sold out and our trusting nature taken advantage of by people telling
a small portion of the story. Ultimate blame lies fax beyond the borders of Ontario.
n life -altering issues befall us wt have choices. We can do nothing or we can become
erned citizens or we can become citizens who take responsible action while still possible.
se, please as friends and neighbours act now to preserve our beautiful rural community
our collective common sense. It's oarw or mer or well all end up living in the midst of an
strial graveyard!
ouneed` additional information to understand the 'why of this issue and how professed
taw will soon become haunting losses, visit the excellent websites of Central Huron Against
ines (chatcentralhuron.com) or Wind Concerns Ontario (windconcernsontario.ore.
s message was not paid for under th ` ' eceitful shield of a confidentiality .,agreement
ibiting disclosure of financial details. ►;,R ion is welcome.
Len Lobb, Clinton Ontario
n.,►w.�. ... _..�.., _.,... .4,
• r _ - i .. .. ...
0'
Employee pricing is back
Share our pride Iv Share our price!
2012 Mustang V6 Coupe Premium ONLY 1 LEFT!
MSRP
Ford Emp.
Price Adj.
Delivery Allowance
Share our
Employee Price
$31,779
-2,389
$28/890
f HST,
License 8
AAmin 1188
6 speed manual, 6 cyl.,
interior upgrades, many more options
bNTGOMERV
n � • Lucknow 518-528-2913
• Kincardine 519-396-3436