At 90, Fred Johnston, retired Salvation Army bandmaster of the Simcoe Community Church in Ontario, still blows his own horn. That 'horn' is a Besson Sovereign cornet, which belongs to the band. When 11, he learned to play in Woodstock, Ont. Taught by Stan Cracknell, he has played for 79 years.

He first became a bandsman in the Hamilton 2 Corps (Wellington Street). Cornet is his 'chosen' instrument though, out of necessity, he has played Eb Horn and Euphonium. For years he was a 'guest' cornet soloist and even performed with Hamilton's famed Dafasco Men's Choir. He played the Flugel horn as a snow bird in the Clearwater, Florida band for over 20 seasons.

Fred is a second generation Salvationist. One of four children, he was born July 17, 1915, in Stellarton, N.S., to officer parents Senior Major and Mrs. Fred Johnston. Fred moved with his family to Simcoe in 1933 where his parents became the commanding officers of the Simcoe Corps. One year later, at 19, he became the youngest commissioned bandmaster in the country. He held that position with skill, enthusiasm, integrity and devotion for 40 years.

Fred has been married to his wife, Kathleen, for 70 years. Fred pays tribute to his wife for all her years of sacrifice and support. They have three children, Don in Oshawa, Keith in Simcoe and Doreen in Burlington and are blessed with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Prior to retirement, Fred worked for the American Can company in Simcoe for 38years, becoming a lead inspector. When the company started to work on Sundays, offering 'time-and-a-half' for those who did so, Fred declined. For him, worship and band commitments came first.

As a son in a Salvation Army officer's family he travelled quite a bit, whether he wanted to or not and has many memories. While his father conducted an open-air meeting on a beach in Owen Sound, he and his siblings struck up conversation with a bystander. He asked what their dad did for a living. Remembering that dad had his War Crys and collecting box ever present Fred blurted out, "He sells newspapers!"

Fred also recalls that, in North Bay, Ont., someone gave them a Great Dane dog named Mike. In winter they outfitted him with a sleigh complete with bells, runners and shafts. Mike became a four-legged War Cry sergeant delivering the papers in the town while 'Dad' collected the money.

When Fred took over as bandmaster of the Simcoe Band he made a commitment to follow the Orders and Regulations for Bands. He knew that he was to not only be a musical leader but a spiritual example as well. This has been his driving force.

Fred has always been a stickler for detail. There is a book in the archives where he recorded the band's Christmas serenading efforts. A glance at that book will show you the names of the collectors, how much they took in, what district they covered, what the weather was like, who drove the cars and who provided the lunch afterwards.

His band service wasn't without smiles. While driving to Port Dover in a blizzard he decided to help the driver, Major Howes, find the road. Fred stuck his head out the window and got his lefts and rights mixed up in his instructions. They wound up in the ditch.

Twice a year, his band went 'on tour'. In Dundas, Ont., the Canadian Legion sponsored their trip and asked for a concert. Fred prepared a concert filled with solos, duets and great band pieces. No one showed up except the doorkeeper. They packed everything up and went outside to hold an open-air.

He remembers another occasion when they were asked to go out into the country and play outside a farm house where a sick person was bedridden. The band started playing and a half-dozen cows showed up to listen. They soon discovered there was no one home after all.

For many years Fred was a 'fixture' as an instructor at annual music camps at Camp Selkirk on Lake Erie. He influenced countless numbers of young musicians both musically and spiritually. His favourite scripture is Psalm 23 and his favourite march is "Victors Acclaimed." His favorite selection is "O my Jesus" and he loves the song," I walked today where Jesus walked."

Fred had some time in his life when he indulged in his hobbies. He pitched softball and played hockey for the American Can company but life wasn't always easy.

He experienced a two-year layoff from American Can where he had to find work in the tobacco industry in Delhi, Ont. There was no employment insurance in those days. The corps had a fund where people could draw $100 per month, but Fred and his wife 'suffered through' without that support. They rented a portion of an apartment until he was called back to the American Can and could get back on their feet again.

During Fred's whole life his faith in God has been rock solid. His position in Christ secure. He has never doubted. He claims a guardian angel and wishes at this time in his life only "to play as long as I can."

by Lt-Colonel Merv Leach