Author: Heidi Hoover

Bob Plunkett, OCB First Music Director 1986 to 1997

Bob Plunkett is from an old Orillia family. His parents had 5 sons.

Merton, Fred ( Bob’s father) , Sid, Morley, Albert

Before WW1, the 5 brothers formed the Plunkett Quintet. Merton or his more common name Mert created The Dumbells in 1917. They entertained the troops in France and England during the war. The Dumbells are credited for their contribution to bolstering soldiers morale.

Acknowledgement by the Canadian War Museum, The Canadian Encyclopedia, Museum of Canadian Music and Canadian Expeditionary Force Research Group.

The Plunkett Suite commissioned posthumously by OCB

Dedicated to the memory of Robert Hartford Plunkett 1921 to 2002. Founding Music Director of the Orillia Concert Band, composed by Bruce “Suds” Sutherland in four movements in 2004

1- The Majesty of Canada

2-The Dance Hall

3-Hymm to Huron Waters

4-Coast to Coast

Composer of the Plunkett Suite, Suds Sutherland 1945 to 2024

Inside the Conductor’s score of The Plunkett Suite

The Plunkett Suite cover page

The Plunkett Suite Conductor’s score pages 2 and 3

By John Swartz

Orillia Sun Online March 18 2021 (Covid Pandemic)

Today would have been Bob Plunkett’s 100th birthday. In better times, maybe the Orillia Concert Band would have had a concert tonight to mark the occasion.

Bob was the first conductor of the OCB. After a career teaching music at Western Tech and Parkdale Collegiate in Toronto and as bandmaster of the HMCS York Navy Band he retired here and bought a house on Bass Lake.

At the 25th anniversary of Park Street Collegiate where Stan was the music teacher, former students were saying it was too bad there wasn’t a band they could play in. Bob thought he was going to retire, maybe fish or boat and Stan had people who wanted to form a band. Stan knew Bob and suggested Bob was the person to lead the band.

Of course Stan played clarinet in the band and helped with the administration of it. Former Packet & Times managing editor Jeff Day, who played in the band, probably ran many stories about the band forming and recruiting members. There were 55 people at the first rehearsal in 1986.

Almost year later in 1987 they hit the stage and that year The OCB started a new community institution, the Christmas Prelude. The concert was for many years the start of the season for all the other Christmas themed concerts. Having grown up with a family retail business I was not a fan of Christmas for most of my life, and it was at a Christmas Prelude I rediscovered I kind of liked it.

Thank you OCB audience and the Plunkett family for coming out during the heat wave and supporting us on Sunday June 22, 2025!

Thanks also to all the businesses and organizations that support us!

Gallery

Current OCB Music Director Randy Hoover 2021 to present

On May 2, 2026, the OCB brought back 3 past Music Directors and the family of Bob Plunkett to celebrate the music and to thank the community.

Pictured here are Randy Hoover, Roy Menagh, Stan Passfield and James Hilts

May 2, 2026, congratulations to Jacquie and Ross for contributing 40 years to the OCB and Happy Retirement!

Past OCB President Brady Aubin wins 2026 Orillia Community Builders Award in Arts

Rehearsing at St. Paul’s Event Centre for the benefit concert in support of Mariposa House Hospice held on October 23, 2025 Music Director Randy Hoover

May 2019 at Leacock Retirement Lodge Music Director James Hilts

2017 at St Paul’s United Church Orillia Music Director James Hilts

May 14, 2016 Roy Menagh, second Music Director retirement celebration. Pictured with OCB President Hugh Coleman

2015 at St Paul’s United Church Orillia Music Director Roy Menagh

May 7, 2005 Musical Memories The Plunkett Suite Premier Orillia Packet & Times by Jennifer Jaensch pages 1 &2 (courtesy Roy Menagh archives)

May 7, 2005 OWE Poster (courtesy Roy Menagh archives)

2005 March OWE Concert Program (courtesy Roy Menagh archives)

2004 to 2005 OWE Subscription Information (courtesy Roy Menagh archives)

April 2003 (there was a name change to Orillia Wind Ensemble) Music Director Roy Menagh

Early 2000, St Paul’s United Church, Orillia, Ont. Music Director Roy Menagh

May 4, 1997 at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,

Roy Menagh-second Music Director

Bob Plunkett -retiring founding Music Director (front and centre)

Stan Passfield -OCB Founder and conductor

OCB names May 4 1997 in above picture:

June 10, 1995 in Toronto, Ontario Music Director Bob Plunkett

OCB names June 10, 1995 in above picture:

OCB January 27, 1990 Poster

Circa 1988 possibly the first OCB picture with Bob Plunkett standing in the centre

Orillia Park Street Collegiate Institute (PSCI) and Bridgewater High School (BHS) Bridgewater, Nova Scotia High school mass band concert at PSCI on May 18,1986

The impetus to form the Orillia Concert Band (both bands coincidentally wore maroon and gray uniforms)

This mass high school band concert was a celebration of PSCI’s 25th anniversary.

Stan Passfield Music Director Orillia PSCI Orillia, Ont (pictured on the right)

Randy Hoover Music Director Bridgewater, Nova Scotia (pictured on the left)

Founder of the Orillia Concert Band Stan Passfield

HOW IT ALL BEGAN…….

A MEMORY BY STAN PASSFIELD

By the early 1980’s, The Orillia Kiltie Band and the Orillia Silver Band had both ceased operations. Since the 3 high school music programs at Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute (ODCVI), Twin Lakes Secondary School (TLSS) and Park Street Collegiate Institute (PSCI) were flourishing, by 1986 there was a large cadre of unemployed band musicians in the community looking for a place to play. 

I was chatting with Susie French (Horne), a former PSCI trombonist, during the PSCI 25th anniversary celebration. She remarked that there was a need for a community band. By chance, a friend of mine, Bob Plunkett had retired as head of music at Parkdale Collegiate in Toronto the previous year. He and his wife Gladys had moved to Bass Lake. I suggested that we approach him about forming a community band.

I arranged a meeting with Susie, Jeff Day (Packet and Times editor) and myself with the Plunkett’s. We explained what we had in mind and asked if he would consider conducting such a band. Before he had a chance to respond, Gladys interjected that he “sure would”. It seems that Bob did not have enough to do in retirement and was getting underfoot with Gladys.

Jeff immediately put an article in the Packet to announce the formation of a civic band. A meeting date was selected and 55 people showed up in the music room at PSCI. Rehearsals began on Monday nights immediately.

The first concert was a benefit concert for the Heart and Stroke Society in Feb 1987. They played 5 concerts by the summer. Concerts were held in Midland, Gravenhurst, and in Orillia. The concerts at the Aqua Theatre started at this time and continue to this day.

The band has remained strong. Members change as the years move on, but the music continues.

Stan Passfield

Gratefully submitted to the OCB in Spring 2025

Stan Passfield OCB Founder 1986

Randy Hoover (current OCB music director) with his high school music teacher Stan Passfield (OCB Founder 1986) Picture taken Oct 2022

Thank You Stan Passfield for the Following Archives

OCB information letter Circa 1998

OCB July 28, 1987 at the Aquatheatre

OCB July 3, 1987

OCB Bob Plunkett first conductor Jan 1987

Thank you Cheryl Behan who has been an OCB member for 40 years and counting for this article from 2011