About Us

 

Bio: Our Director

 
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Bryce Walker is the current Music Director of the Top Hat Marching Orchestra. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education.

Bryce is a long time resident of Burlington Ontario. Bryce is an instrumental music teacher having recently retired after 31 years with the Halton District School Board. Bryce got his start in music taking piano and theory from Keith Hopkins, music director of Port Nelson United Church. A career trumpet player Bryce got his start with the Burlington Teen Tour Band at the age of 9 under the direction of Elgin Corlett. He received trumpet and music theory instruction from his mentor, Eric Ford, also a former music director of the Teen Tour Band who penned many of the great marching tunes still performed by the Red Coats such as "Strike Up The Band" and "The Hustle" as well as many of the great marches performed by the THMO. The highlight of Bryce's career was to study and perform with renowned Canadian jazzman Phil Nimmons and his band Nimmons & Nine plus Six.

As the new music director of the Top Hats, Bryce is making his mark through his pops oriented musical arrangements and his colourful conducting style.

Under his direction he was instrumental in the creation of the Top Hats three CD’s “A Top Hat Christmas”, “The Top Hats Greatest Hits” and "Swinging into Christmas". As well as directing and writing for the group Bryce is an active participant in the Band’s busy parade schedule.

Read about our previous directors
   

Community Spirit

 
Community Spirit

Apart from the many parades the Top Hat Marching Orchestra perform in, we also take great pride in being actively involved in important community events. The following is our ongoing and growing list of community service events:

  • Eric Ford Scholarship
  • Relay for Life - Bronte Park
  • Carpenter Hospice Auction - winner joins the band for a parade at the Sound of Music
  • Burlington Senior Centre concerts
  • Children's Wish Foundation (Air Transat) -Flight to Find Santa
  • Burlington Legion - annual concerts in honour of our veterans (Legion Week, spring and Christmas concerts)
  • Central Park, Burlington - annual Concert in the Park
  • Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Take Your Seat Program
  • Burlington Central High School - Take A Seat Campaign
  • Special Olympics 2012