FERGUS – What began as a dream to become a rock star evolved into 66 years of local music, friendships and commitment for Roy Hurlbut.
Following in the footsteps of his father Bill, Hurlbut joined the Fergus Brass Band at age 20.
“I wanted to be a drummer in a rock band in 1959 … but I didn’t know how to drum,” he told the Advertiser.
“It just so happened that the Fergus Brass Band … were giving drum lessons.”
After mastering the snare drum, Hurlbut moved up to the alto horn in the 70s.
“When I retired I was playing a trumpet,” he explained.
Hurlbut’s favourite instrument was the alto horn, which he said is also the easiest to learn.
Asked about his fondest moment over the past six decades, he replied, “There’s so many over the years, I really couldn’t pick out a favourite.”
Making friends was never a worry for Hurlbut, as new faces frequently joined the band over the years.
“The band had its ups and downs,” he said. “[When] I joined in 1959 there was 40 people in it.”
In the 60s the band whittled down to just four or five members who showed up to rehearsals.
“In 1968 it picked up again and we had a full band back up to 40 people,” he recalled.
Members of the Fergus Brass Band play in downtown Fergus on June 30, 2020. Advertiser file photo
The community concert band was formed in 1855 and claims to be the oldest in the province.
Hurlbut reminisced on practicing with his group every week and “doing a lot of marching” back in the day.
“We used to do all the Santa Claus parades around Kitchener, St. Clements, Elmira and Fergus,” he said.
“I can’t really recall where we used to perform all the time, but we were pretty busy.”
Hurlbut retired from the band a few weeks ago, but plans to occasionally visit members.
Bob Skeoch, an active member for the last 50 years, told the Advertiser Hurlbut is “multi-talented and always has a good tempo.”
Skeoch chuckled when he recalled one performance when Hurlbut dropped his drumsticks and had to run and get them.
On a personal note, Skeoch noted Hurlbut has always looked after his wife and kids “really well”.
“I hope he has a long and happy retirement, he deserves it,” Skeoch said.
“He helped out the band playing for many years and everybody respects him.”
