From July 17 to 31, 2010, the Ayr-Paris Band from Ontario, Canada toured Eastern Europe with stops in Cesky Krumlov, Vienna, Budapest, Krakow and Prague. The Band is comprised of 45 volunteer members of all ages from Ayr and Paris, which is located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. They are under the direction of Merry Schmidt of Ayr.

The Ayr-Paris Band performs in concert at local festivals, churches, remembrance services, local retirement homes, Tattoos, at their own pavilion in downtown Ayr and several fundraising events. They also participate in many parades, with an engagement calendar of approximately 26 jobs per year. We have taken part in the Toronto St. Patrick's parade for 13 consecutive years; the Disney parade at Goderich (1999) the Toronto Santa Claus parade and many Legion parades.

Their music ranges from Broadway and Movie Medlies, Light Classical, Sacred Music, Popular Tunes. Your typical "Afternoon in the Park" appeal.

Previously, the Band has many international tours including: Scotland (1969, 1980, 1991, 2006), Ireland (1994, 2006), Northern Ireland (1994), England, Wales (1991) Germany (1985, 1988, 1999), France (1988, 2001), Holland (2001), Austria (1985, 1999), Italy (1998). In Canada, they have toured both the East Coast (1972, 2004) and West Coast (1974), Ottawa (1990), Kingston (1992) and the Calgary Stampede in Alberta (1982).

They have also hosted international groups from Ayr, Scotland (Fiddle Orchestra and Pipe Bands); Beresford, Scotland (Choir); Warrington, England (Choir).

Pictured at St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland, July 2006

This page was last updated August 24, 2010