And the Band Played On

Musical performances have always filled Town Park; whether it was an evening concert in the Drill Shed or an outdoor celebration, music was always on the program.

A black and white photograph of a brass band in uniforms with hats standing under trees in a park; front row kneeling; all fifteen members hold an instrument

Aurora Band in Town Park, c. 1915

Immediately following World War II, Town Park was the place to be with outdoor summer concerts encouraging residents to forget their worries through the enjoyment of song and dance. The band concerts often featured the Aurora Lions Boys Band, and they were such a success that it wasn’t long until there was demand for a new Band Shell.

A black and white photograph of a boys band dressed in uniforms and most holding instruments arranged in three rows, front row sitting; taken in a park setting

Aurora Boys Band at CNE, 1939

A black and white photograph of a bandshell consisting of a raised concrete platform reached via two sets of five stairs on either end at the front, the whole covered by a parabolic shaped roof supported by two curved arches; a band performs on the platform

Queen’s Own Rifles Band playing at the Band Shell, 1988

On May 24, 1950, the Aurora Lions Club presented the Town with a Band Shell, which was the result of three years of fundraising. This was the first time a permanent bandstand had been erected in Town Park.

The Band Shell was constructed in two phases: the first was the stage portion completed in 1950 and the second was a roof completed in 1962.

Parabolic in form, it will rest on laminated arches, with the roof itself starting well up from the ground to keep children from marring it

(Aurora Banner, July 13, 1961.)

In 2001 Council approved the Town Park Redevelopment Master Plan, which among features added to the Park, called for the building of a new Band Shell. This much-beloved structure has been the site of multiple musical performances since officially opening in 2003.

Colour photograph of a group of people seated on chairs in front of a band performing on a covered band shell in a park at dusk

Concerts in the Park at the new Band Stand, 2008

Summer Playground Program Live at the Armoury!