Our History

  • Over the past 50 years, approximately 7000 young Calgarians have been proud to wear a Calgary Round-Up Band uniform.
  • Calgary Round-Up Band was originally known as The School Patrol Band
  • The band was started as an after school initiative to make the safety program in Calgary more fun for the kids. Purpose of the band was to lead and inspire the “School Safety Patrollers”.
  • The band originated at Briar Hill Elementary/Junior High under the leadership of Don Hanson, Kathleen Roberts and Bill Chisholm. Briar Hill was chosen because it had a very active music program.
  • The band remained at Briar Hill for a year and a half and then moved to Stanley Jones School where it remained for 10 years.
  • The original band was made up of recorders, drums and glockenspiels.
  • The original band uniforms were red, black and white. The band members have worn white cowboys hats since 1957.
  • Band members appeared weekly on CFCN-TV for more than 20 years from 1961 in the Safety Round-Up program, providing safety messages through songs and skits.
  • The Band’s first out-of-province performance was in 1962 when they traveled to Ottawa for the Annual Safety Patrol Jamboree.
  • In 1963 the band travels to Vancouver on the “Milk Train” to perform at the Grey Cup.
    Woodwind and brass instruments were added to the band in the 1970s.
  • The band uniform changes to orange and brown and the band becomes known as the “Rootbeer Band.”
  • The band changed it uniforms colours in 1975 to the blue and white to reflect the new Calgary Police colours.
  • In 1979 the band officially changed its name to The Calgary Round-Up Band at the same time as the newly formed parent’s association took control.
  • In 1984 the band travels to Disneyland and performs for the mayor of Anaheim.
  • In 1988, the band participates at several Olympic venues.
  • 1988 also saw the band go on its first international tour to England. Calgary Round-Up Band along with the Calgary Stampede Show Band were the first non-military bands to play at Buckingham Palace.
  • In 1993 the band travels to Holland to compete in a World Music Contest.
    The band celebrates the 2005 Alberta Centennial with a provincial tour.
    2006 saw 136 band members, plus staff and chaperons travel to Denmark and Sweden to perform.
  • The Calgary Round-Up Band, in its many forms, has appeared in the Stampede Parade for nearly 60 years.