The Canadian Branch Historical Archives
This page contains photographs and Articles of the Canadian Branch
CHARLES O'NEILL
He was born in Scotland in 1882. His parents were Irish and with their parents they had fled the potato famine of the 1840's. O'Neill most certainly became one of the greatest Canadian military musicians of his time. Nevertheless in Canada his contribution was never fully acknowledged nor was ever honored. In Britain many of his contempories such as John McKenzie-Rogan were venerated with service awards and commendations by royalty, but O'Neil was denied this distinction. John Phil Sousa who was his contemporary and with whom he often adjudicated received the highest honors the United Staes could bestow yet for Charles O'Neil has never been commemorated for his contribution to both Canadian music and nationalism. His bequeathed a enormous legacy to Canadian military bands and his compositions of military music still grace band libraries across Canada and the USA.
He was born in Duntochter near Glasgow on 31 August 1882. He began piano studies at an early age and studied with teachers in both Glasgow and London. By age 15 in 1897 he was the organist at Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England. He also had taken time to learn cornet and played in the local town band.He moved to Boston in 1901 and joined played in several local bands in Boston and Springfield. In 1903 he moved to New York City and also both played and studied with local band and military musicians. He learned through mutual friends of a new military band which was being organized in Canada and he left to join the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery band in Kingston Ontario in 1903. Within a short time with the RCHA band he became the solo cornetist. The band enjoyed a very good repuation in Kingston and the sourrounding area. They played for various functions at the Army barracks and also at The Royal Military College.
In 1905 the band was officially recognized and came under the leadership of Trumpet Major Frank McKinnon Visits were undertaken to the USA to New York and Vermont for fall fairs and concerts. By 1906 The RCHA band had achieved a reasonable measure of success. The original instrumentation had also been realized with the normal complement of 21 musicians. Under McKinnon's tuteledge ONeil had gained a very high standard of musicianship. The Kingston Whig remarked on June 21st 1906, "Cornetist with RCHA band remarkable". The article described a performance by the band in an open air concert at the "Parade" in Kingston . The article stated" Band corporal O'Neil provided a stirring execution of a new arrangement for military band solo titled "Our Empire" by Godfrey.
O'Nei'ls expertise and musical ability did not escape the notice of the military authority and in 1907 he was selected to attend the Royal Military School of music at Kneller hall by the Canadian Department of Defence. He was the first Canadian to be so honored. The apparent lack of qualified bandmasters in the Canadian Militia precipitated the need to train bandmasters for the Canadian service. Earlier Captain Michael Ryan had earned his position of bandmaster of the Royal Canadian Regiment band, however he was not a graduate of the Royal Military school of music.It was therefore apparent that in order to maintain musical consistancy that it was essential to send bandmasters to Britain. In 1908 the idea fell by the way side when Captain Alfred Light a RMSM graduate emigrated to Canada to be the RCHA bandmaster and eventually all of the bandmasters were all RMSM graduates. Thus O'Neil was not only the original Canadian to attend Kneller hall, he remained the exclusively the only graduate until Major Melville Scott graduated nearly four decades later.
There is very little information in regard to his work at Kneller hall during his three years at the military school except to note that he wrote two marches while at the school the Beaver and the Land of the Maple but not published until 1936,by Boosey and Hawkes.. He graduated in 1910 and on his return to Canada he was appointed as the director of the Royal Canadian Garrison Artillery band in Quebec City. The director he replaced was Joseph Vezina who is considered the father of military music in Canada. Vezina had led the RCGA in Quebec city since their inception in 1879 and held the post until 1910. In 1898 the band became the first full time military band in Canada. He was an extremely well known musician and wrote several numbers for military band. He had however through all of his tenure remained a civilian and usually appeared in a long coat wearing a top hat. In 1898 Vezina was requested to join the Canadian Militia however he declined and he continued drawing his salary as a civil servant. The practice of hiring civilians had eminated from the United Kingdom where several bandmasters including Ladislao Zavertal director of the Royal Artillery band began his career with the band as an "instructor".
Nevertheless Vezina developed a good band from the military musicians who were attracted to a full time military life.
When O'Neil became the director of the Artillery band in Quebec City in 1910, Canada was it's infancy. The country was mostly rural and there was very few opportunites for anyone to study music at places of higher learning. As a result the musicians who came to Quebec were for the most part of European extraction. The band had a Italians, Portugese,musicians from France,and several from the United Kingdom. It wasa veritable melting pot of bandsman that O'Neil faced on his arrival in 1910 as a Warrant Officer.
The band of the RCGA became a popular fixture in Quebec city playing outdoor concerts on the Esplanade in the summer and in concerts at the Auditorium which opened in 1903.
The band also played for summer camps which were very much sought before WW1 and were often called upon to mass with the RCHA band from Kingston Ontario. The bands appeared in Ottawa on numerous occasions and were special favourites of the Governor General.
He continued his studies in music and in eventually became one of the earliest B Mus graduates of McGill University in Montreal.
On the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 the RCGA band played numerous engagements at Camp Val Cartier and were sent on several recruiting tours through Ontario and Quebec. They played for bond drives and parades for medal honors as well as continuing their activities in support of the civilian population. In the summer of 1916 they played over 30 concerts on the Esplanade despite the fact the band was becoming very much undermanned.O'Neil himself had become a pay officer because so many of the unit soldiers were volunteering for overseas service.
In 1919 he was promoted to the rank of Captain, became the senior director of Music for the Canadian Army.The double duty as band director and paymaster had had an effect on his health and he he had been hospitalized with exhaution. In the meantime a curios episode regarding his band developed when the word spread that the band had volunteered to become part of the Siberian Expedition.of 1919. The Commanding Officer described the situation as unbearable because the ranks of the band were decimated and that the band could not appear in that state as the RCGA band.
Eventually the situation was resolved and the 259 Battalion band was struck to go on the expedition but O'Neil's band was not part of the contingent.It was a safeguard that proved to be invaluable because it certainly had the possibility of damaging the future of the band. The fact that the 'band volunteers" was in esseence a rumour also had an impact on the final decision.
Following the war O"Neil was faced with a serious problem. Many musicians in his band were now retiring and his ranks became so decimated that at times there was less than half the numbers of the establishment of 25 to perform. The situation became quite exasperating because of the demand of the Defence Department.
The pot began boiling in July 1919 because The Prince of Wales (later Duke of Windsor) was making a triumphal visit to Canada and Quebec.The General Officer Commanding the 5th Military District ordered that the RCGA band 'must be up to strength".The response was a angry denunciation by the CO stating ""it is quite clear that the difficulties in recruiting bandsman is not understood".. Eventually the matter was resolved by sending musicians from the RCHA band in Kingston.
Charles O'Neil's efforts to enlist musicians in Toronto and Montreal brought forth three men who were enlisted in 1920. But the band languished for several months unable to perform public engagements.It would take 2 more years and a name change for the band to return to it's pre- war excellence.
The defining moment for music in Quebec came in 1921 and it was the opening of the École de Musique at Laval University.The school opened the way for several young musicians to study and the instrumental programme was the vehicle which helped to breed musicians for the military bands. The growth of community bands in Quebec was also a resource for the growth of the French-Canadian military musician.
With the stiff competion from the other three full time bands which established after the war O'Neil began to look in his own back yard and it was astonishing the number of musicians who eventually joined the band. The coming together of the band and the musicians did not begin however until July of 1924 when in a move to placate the Commanding Officer of the newly formed Royal 22nd Regiment(Van Doos) the RCGA band were disbanded and the R22nd band was formed.
From the moment of it's inception the band became an instant hit!The popularity continued for over seven decades. O'Neil developed the ensemble into one of the finest in Canada and constantly gaining rave notices. His own personal star began to shine and he received numerous invitations to adjudicate band festivals in Canada including the highly touted Canadian national Exhibition.
He was held in such high esteem that from 1935 to 1937 he was the director of the CBC Symphony Orchestra of Quebec.In 1923 He directed the Royal 22nd band in one the first band concerts to be on the air in North America. The concert which was in The Orpheum theatre was heard as far awat away as Texas and letters of congratulations poured in to the band from all around NorthAmerica. He made several other on air appearances on station CKAC from Quebec City.In 1927 the band appeared in concert at the canadian national Exhibition drawing massive crowds for their performances.
In 1931 he inaugurated the CPR (later CBC) radio system from the Chateau Frontenac Hotel . The band at this time hada fully balanced instrumentation of 35 players including:
1 Flute, 1 Piccolo, 1 oboe, 1 Eb Clarinet,10 Bb clarinets, 2 saxophones,3 horns,1 bassoon,3 cornets,2 trumpets,3 trombones,2 euphoniums,2 tubas, string bass,and 2 percussion.
On July 31st 1936 he performed for the state visit of President Roosevelt to Canada and provided numerous ensembles for this event.
In 1937 he was tasked to select and train musicians for the Coronation of King George VI in London, England. His job was to audition and rehearse a composite band from the four Canadian Army bands . In a bid to select the best musicians available for this band he visited all the bands and he tirelessly worked to ensure Canadian contingent were well represented.
On April 18th the band began rehearsals and there were 12 players from the RCR band from London Ontario,Nine from the PPCLI, Winnipeg and 4 from the RCHA in Kingson as well as 8 from the Royal 22nd band and 2 reserve musicians (not shown in picture) , one each from the GGFG in Ottawa and the Regiment de Hull. A photograph of this band which was taken prior to a charity concert on 26 April in Quebec City .
The band led the Canadian Contingent during the parade through the streets of London on May 18th 1937. Dress in the Infantry Red uniforms of the day, the band must provided a thrilling site for the parade.
O'Neil had gained wide respect both as a military band conductor and as a adjudicator he joined such luminaries as John Phil Sousa and Edwin Franko Goldman in state and national band contests in the USA. His expertise led to him being one of the founders of the American Bandmasters association he was elected President in 1933 and 1934. He was also the President Emiritus in 1963-64 of the Canadian bandmasters Association.
His work took him from coast to coast in Canada and the USA and he began writing seriously for military bands and orchestras.
His last hurrah as a military musician happened in 1937 with both the Coronation band and a concert at the Capitol theatre which in a final statement of his marvellous skill as a composer and conductor he performed his overture Builders of Youth which he composed only a few weeks earlier and premiered the march Mon Amis which became his most enduring work. On that same farewell program he featured several band members who had been in his band for over 15 years. His work as a military musican was finished but he now began a his career as an academic and composer.
He began his work by beginning an association with the University of Wisconsin as a summer school instructor. He moved to Potsdam New York and began a career as instructor of conducting and composition at the Sate Teachers College. He held this position from 1937 to 1947 and was head of the department from 1942 to 1947. He returned to Canada in 1947 and taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto from 1948 to 1954.He retired to Quebec City but continued to compose. He was beloved by all of his students some of whom became professional musicians including composer Harry Somers and symphony conductor Mario Bernardi.
O'Neil returned to Quebec City in 1954 and contined to write and appear in concerts and in guest conducting appearances with the Royal 22nd band. He often visited with the band who continued to maintain a very high profile . He composed a number of good band pieces which were premiered by Quebc bands. A list of his works follow this biography.
He left 10 overtures, many shorter pices and his arrangement of the Regimental marches for the Royal 22nd and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are still in use today. His march Nulli Secondus has been recorded several times and the earlier mentioned march Mon Amis is in constant use by bands in Canada and in Europe. It was recorded by the Royal22nd for the Robert Hoe collection.His potpourris of French Folk songs Souvenir de Québec was recor5ded ona RCA label by the R22nd band under Captain Armand Ferland.
He passed away on September 9 1964 in his 82 year. Earlier in the year in July 1964 he appeared at armed Forces concert which was held on the Esplanade in Quebec city which featureda massed band concert by the Royal Canadian Regiment band from London and the R22nd band. He was introduced during the concert and his march Mon Amis was played by the massed ensemble.The Royal 2nd band also performed his overture Knight Errant which he written while a member of the R22nd in 1935.
He was a man of vision in Canada,. In today's society he would have been honored from coast to coast. There is no doubt he would have been made an Officer of the Order of canada and his a monument erected in his memory in Quebec. His contribution is almost forgotten. Yet he left behind a legacy which is important to our concert band culture even today. The ironony of his short academic career is that a chair is named in his honour at the New York State teachers college in Potsdam New York. He was rare breed of person because he was first and foremeost a Canadian but a staunch Quebecer who maintained both his musical and personal roots in La Belle Province.He wasa true patriot in every sense of the word.
Bibliography : The Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
His grandson Chris Black of the CBC in Ottawa
When the band Begins to Play - Kopstein
Heritage Enclopedia of Music and bands -Rehrig-Bierley
Personal encounter July 1964 Quebec City.
March Music Notes -Norman Smith
The archives of the Canadian Military Directorate of History
Visit with the Vimy band in 1986 and 1988 to NY State Teachers College in Potsdam
The Works of Captain Charles O'Neil
Orchestral
The Ancient mariner ms circa 1914
Prelude and Fuge in G ms1945-46
An Irish fantasy 1958
Band
Alladin's Lamp Overture Fisher 1940
The Beaver ms 1908-1910(National Library of Canada Music Division)
In April Overture Bourne 1967 (postu)
Builders of Youth Overture Fisher 1937
Clair de Lune Entracte waterloo 1937
The Emblem march Waterloo 1930
Encore Blues Belwin 1966 (postu)
Fidelity march Remick 1948
Irish Rhapsody Boston 1956
Knight Errant Overture Rubank1930
Mlle Coquette Entracte Ficsher
Majesty Overture Remick 1947
The maple march ms1908(National Library of Canada)
Mon Amis march Belwin
Nobility Overture Remick 1945
Nulli Secunus march Waterloo 1931
Remembrance Fischer Fischer 1934
RCMP March RCMP Property 1956
LeRoyale 22ieme Regiment march Waterloo 1956-Under License by the Regiment
Silver Cord Overture Schirmer 1933
Souvenir de Quebec, fantasy Fisher 1933
Sovereignty Overture Remick 1949
Starlight Fantasy Overture Boston 1914
The Three Graces Fox 1939
Tout a Vous serenade
The 19th Regiment band seen below in 1901 was the forerunner of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment Band. This photograph was taken for their appearance at the Buffalo New York Worlds Fair in 1901.
QUEENS OWN RIFLES BAND 1909
Note the Full Instrumentation including 10 Clarinets and alto/tenor saxophones.
The Royal Canadian Engineers band 1950s
Captain Al Brown was the Director of Music
This very early drawing of the 10th Royals regiment band was done by a Canadian Artist named Jefferies 1868 the Drum Major worea red tunic and the bandsmen were in white