The early pioneers are remembered not only for the stones and mortar but also for the cultural life of Yorkton.

The first band leader in Yorkton was Fred Bull, who organized a short-lived band program. In 1889, J. Smith came to Yorkton as the manager of the Hudson Bay store and found there was no band. He proceeded to fill this gap and in a short time had one organized.

In his book Ox-Trails to Highways, Dr. H. Swallow tells the following story about this band:

The band was engaged as a 15-piece band to perform for a certain event. Mr. Smith had only 14 in the band and in desperation he enlisted Jake Clump to take the place of the trombone player. Mr. Clump was no musician so Mr. Smith stuffed the tubes of the trombone and coached Mr. Clump to operate the slide.

Mr. Clump took his place in the front row of the marching band and was reported as "playing a wicked trombone".

The band was granted $25 to purchase music and in return the band played one night a week at the town hall.

After Mr. Smith retired, he was replaced by a Mr. Furby, and then W. T. Moore took over the direction of the band. For many years this band entertained at the annual summer fair.

This band also played at the opening of Madge Lake Resort and at the ceremonies linking the highways of Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the valley of the Assiniboine River.

Mr. George, a relative and look-alike of England's Lloyd George, was a band leader who did much for the young musicians of Yorkton and was director of the Yorkton band for many years. His son Reedman George took over as band leader for a number of years following in his father's footsteps.

Now we have Larry Pearen and his staff directing school bands, and also a senior band made up of former band students and citizens who enjoy making music.

Due to the efforts of Mr. Pearen and staff, Yorkton band musicians are known internationally. The Regional High School Marching 100 band had the honor of being the only Canadian band invited to take part in the Rose Bowl parade two years ago.