BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
MAJOR MICHAEL A. REHILL CD, Mus Bac, KH
Major Rehill was born in Montreal and raised in Calgary, Alberta and Brampton, Ontario. He began his military musical career in the 1PPCLI Cadet Corp of Drums playing bugle. He eventually became Bugle Major and Drum Major of this band.
Major Rehill was commissioned in 1976 and assumed command of the Lorne Scots Regimental Band. In 1979 he was appointed District Director of Music for the Hamilton District as a secondary duty, in 1990 he assumed this position in a full-time capacity. From 1982-1986 he was Adjutant of the Lorne Scots. He was promoted to Major in April 1991.
Major Rehill holds an Honours Bachelor of Music (History and Theory) from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Education (Music) from the University of Toronto. He also holds a Ministry of Education Honours Specialist Certificate in Music and a Specialist Certificate in Dramatic Arts. Major Rehill is noted for his arranging ability particularily music for Military Band and Pipes. His arrangements have been recorded by many Bands, notably the Band of the United States Air Force Reserve. He is a member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).
Major Rehill has co-ordinated many Tattoos and military musical events including the Fergus Tattoo (1989-1990, 1994), the Niagara-on-the-Lake Bicentennial Tattoo (1981), and four Trooping of the Colours. Major Rehill commanded the Lorne Scots Ontario Bi-Centennial Tour of the United Kingdom and produced two recordings of the Band - "Bands Across the Sea" and "125 Years". He is also the Musical Director of the Greater Hamilton Tattoo, the Kingston Tattoo, the Dundurn Park Canada Day Tattoo, the Ken Cole Memorial Cancer Society Concert, the Order of St John's "Concert of Remembrance" and Dundurn Parks' "Evening in Scotland".
In July 1991 Major Rehill commanded the six Hamilton District Bands at the "Southwest Stars and Stripes Salute" to the returning Gulf War Veterans in Dallas Texas. In 1992, he re-formed the Regimental Band of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry which had been disbanded in 1972.
In January 1995 major Rehill was transferred to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry as Director of Music as a result of the disbandment of Hamilton District. In January 1996 he assumed the duties of Director of Music - London District and subsequently, 31 Canadian Infantry Brigade.
The RHLI Band, under Major Rehill has performed for HM Queen Elizabeth II on her last two visits to Ontario(1998 and 2002), as well as HRH the Prince of Wales. In May 2000, Major Rehill commanded the Buglers who sounded Last Post at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa. In 2002, the RHLI Band travelled to England and France to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Dieppe and also Sounded Retreat at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London, England.
Major Rehill holds the Canada Decoration, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Canada 125 Medal and the Forces Mobile Command Commendation for meritorious service to the CF reserves. In 1998, he was admitted to the Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem and in 2003 he was created a Knight Commander. He is a member of the International Military Music Society, Canadian Band Association, Canadian Music Educator's Association, and a founding member of the Ontario Principal's Council. He is currently Principal at Saltfleet District Hight School in Stoney Creek.