BAND HISTORY
The Regimental Band of the RHLI was first formed in 1866 by Peter Grossman as the 13th Battalion Band at the request of the Commanding Officer of the 13th Battalion Voluntary Militia. It traces its roots to the Hamilton Artillery Band formed in Hamilton in 1855. It is the oldest enlisted band in Canada.
Peter Grossmen led the RHLI Band until 1869. He was succeeded for one year by George R. Robinson who in turn was succeeded for one year by Mr. W. Blanchard. Bandmaster Robinson, after whom the Band Shell in Gage Park, Hamilton is named, was a graduate of the British Army's Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall in England. Robinson returned in 1871 and remained Bandmaster until 1916, conducting the Band for 45 years. He was the first Canadian Army musician to be commissioned. From 1871-1881, the well-disciplined 40-piece band competed and toured successfully throughout North America. It was the principal band at the "Peace Jubilee" in Berlin (now Kitchener) in 1871 and played for the Governor General during his visit to Hamilton in 1879. In 1900 the Band was invited to Denver, Colorado to give a concert for the Maple Leaf Club, and in 1901 it was chosen to play for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary). In 1919, the Band toured England and gave a command performance before King Edward VII.
The Band has played a very important part in the ceremonial celebrations of Hamilton and in 1939, played for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) during their official visit.
The Band has performed at every Greater Hamilton Tattoo, the Toronto International Festival Tattoo at the Skydome in Toronto (1992) as well as at numerous civic and military functions: The Band performed for HRH the Prince of Wales in April 1996 and led the 1996 Grey Cup parade. In 1998, the Band provided military honours for the Queen on her visit to London, Ontario and again in October 2002. In May 2000, the Band provided 10 buglers to play the Last Post at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa. In August 2002, the band performed once again in London, England performing at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea and was the official Canadian Forces Band at the Dieppe 60th Anniversary in Dieppe, France.
The present Director of Music is Major M. A. Rehill, CD, Mus Bac, KH. The Drum Major is Sgt James Greve, CD.