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At an annual meeting of the Canadian Band Directors Association1 in Edmonton, Alberta on November 6, 1976, a motion to hold a 1978 national convention in connection with the 100th anniversary of the Canadian National Exhibition was approved. Martin Boundy announced that he had been investigating the possibility of forming a National Youth Band for the occasion and "could see no reason why the National Council should not entertain the idea, as it would add prestige to the convention and bring the name CBDA to the fore." The National Council President, Keith Mann, was asked to appoint a Chair to investigate and expedite the formation of such an ensemble. Mr. Boundy was appointed and the seed that would grow into the Canadian Band Association's National Youth Band of Canada was planted.
Martin Boundy acted as the first National Youth Band Music Director, and in 1978 was joined at the podium by the guest conductors Keith Mann, Ted Robbins (Ontario Chapter President), Captain Robert Redhead (Salvation Army Territorial Music Secretary), and Dr. Ralph Kennard (CBDANational President Elect). Walter and Wayne Jeffrey acted as band managers, and instrumental coaches included Annelie Metrakos (Flute), Paul Emond (Oboe), Mary Ellen Morgan (Bassoon), Robert Theil (Clarinet), Peter Schofield (Saxophone), Judith Sheppard (French Horn), James Ford (Trumpet), Ted Robbins (Low Brass), and Rita Mulhern (Percussion).
Lieutenant-Colonel Clifford Hunt, then CNE Musical Director, a former CBDA President, and the retired Canadian Forces Supervisor of Music, was instrumental in having the band invited to perform at the Exhibition and in securing $13,000 in funding from the Exhibition's Board of Directors. A sizeable grant was also received from Lottarlo, the Ontario provincial lottery. While in Toronto, the band also performed at the Bramwell Booth Temple of the Salvation Army, and Ted Marshall, a CBC audio engineer, was engaged to record and produce an LP recording from that concert.
A roster of the sixty-eight NYB musicians is included on the back of the LP and, while home provinces were not listed, it is known that the majority of musicians came from Ontario, and that Western Canada and the Maritimes were also represented. A number of these musicians have gone on to become respected instrumentalists and outstanding music educators. The 1978 NYB repertoire included John...