As far as we know Gary Titcombe, horn soloist in Jubilee Brass, has never served any time in jail. But that is only because of one Michigan State trooper only thinking that he just saw a gentleman driving an automobile at breakneck speeds down one of their highways while playing a tenor horn with the music resting on the steering wheel. Just to be sure he was mistaken he did a 360 and pulled over this keener musician only to find the said horn safely tucked away in its case on the back seat.

The trooper knew he was only seeing things and let Gary go. Little did the trooper know that if he’d only checked the mouthpiece on the horn fro dampness and warmth he would have had this guy nailed for sure. Alcatraz was surely beckoning for such erratic and irresponsible behavior.

All must be forgiven as Gary was, at that time, only doing his duty as a member of the Canadian Staff Band.

Gary is the son of Salvation Army officers and as such, found himself moving from place to place making new friends and saying goodbye to old ones often. This experience enabled him to mingle easily and helped him in his life’s career.

Since Gary was the eldest of three children he played the role of example and mentor.
His dad came to Canada as a young man and was known as a very dedicated, competent and hard working officer.

Music at the corps was a given and Gary’s natural talents and gifts enhanced his marks at school to the A+ range.

Gary met his wife Arlene at the Salvation Army camp in Lac L’Achigan north of Montreal, Quebec. In 1964 this couple settled in London, Ontario where they have raised three daughters. They attended the London Citadel Corps where they are still active today.

Gary’s music making grew and developed under the direction of noted musical leaders such as Morley Calvert(Montreal) and Bram Gregson(London). IN the late 70s he ministered and made music with the Canadian Staff Band under the leadership of the then Captain Robert Redhead.

Rehearsals in Toronto on Wednesdays and in London on Thursdays proved to be a busy yet exciting time.

In 1975 Gary came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior during a Sunday morning service under the leadership of the then Captain Earl McGinnis. Earl was a great influence on his life and remains in his thoughts often.

Gary is a strong, competent and gifted player and a bandsman’s bandsman setting a very high standard for the rest of us. Gary and Arlene have the privilege of wintering in Venice, Florida while the rest of us suffer through the wonderful Canadian winters.