“I wish I could do it all over again.”
Michael Mortensen
CECI Band Member
1967 International and Universal Exposition
also known as EXPO 67
April 27 to October 29, 1967
Montreal, Quebec
CANADA
Countries
61
Vistors
50,306,648
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1967: CANADA WELCOMES THE WORLD © 2017 TRIANA MEDIA | In collaboration with Western University
Photos | Source: Library and Archives Canada / Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition fonds
The School Band Trip
In 1967, members of the school band of the Central Elgin Collegiate Institute, in St. Thomas, Ontario, were invited to perform at Expo 67. Under the supervision of Mr. John Di Zazzo, the band's director and music teacher, students practiced for months. Expo 67 would be their biggest commitment ever. A once in a lifetime performance, on behalf of St. Thomas and the Elgin County.
We had the opportunity of interviewing some of the former band members. One of them, Michael Mortensen, filmed footage of the trip with a Super 8 mm camera that he inherited from his grandfather. A unique visual record of an event that left a lasting imprint on Canadian history.
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CECI Band's was not the only school to get actively involved with Expo 67's euphoria. Other educational institutions in the Elgin County area organized visits as well, i.e. West Elgin Secondary School, in West Lorne, Sparta Public School, and Elmdale Public School, in St. Thomas.
Photo Credits: Elgin County Archives
Elmdale Public School
West Elgin Secondary School
Sparta Public School
Images: © Government of Canada. Reproduced with the permission of Library and Archives Canada
Source: Library and Archives Canada / Canadian Corporation for the 1967 World Exhibition fonds
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