The Simcoe Boy Scout Trumpet Band was formed on May 12,1953 under the sponsorship of the local Boy Scout Association just three short weeks before the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second.  The instruments were loaned by the 25th Medium Regiment of the R.C.A. in Simcoe. With 19 members they paraded in Simcoe, Woodstock, Welland, Hamilton and Norfolk and Brant Counties. Their uniforms were the regular Boy Scout uniforms with at addition of a white lanyard on the left shoulder and a black and gold neckerchief. 

    In 1954 they received 19 new instruments totaling $1200.00 through Waterloo Music Co.  In 1955 the band entered the Waterloo Music Festival in the Junior Class taking the second place Silver Medal. During the years from June 1953 to December 1955 the band played 19 different pieces taking part in the Waterloo Festival again in the Junior B class and took home $100.00 and the gold trophy.

    On the 4th of July 1955 the band went to Warren Pennsylvania and took 3rd place over 18 marching bands.  The Simcoe Boy Scout Trumpet Band were Simcoe's Goodwill Ambassadors for many years until they came under the sponsorship of the Simcoe Optimist Club in 1958 and became the Simcoe Optimist Trumpet Band. 

 

  Coronation Parade for Queen Elizabeth II, June 2, 1953 in Simcoe, Ontario (their first parade)

 

Members of the original band, June 2, 1953

 

Director	John K. Potts
Manager:	Harold L. Wheeler
Drum Major	Frederick Pettigrew
Drummers	Robert Bryant, snare James Pond, snare Donald Smith, snare William Ryerse, bass
Buglers	Kieth Ashley Robert Bonnett Frederick Daiken Grant Francis Robert Gilchrist Harvey Greer Thomas Harvey * Ralph Miller Gordan Milligan Bryan Robertson Gordon Smith William Taggart David Ward George Wheaton

* current marching member of United Alumni