Remembering Ken Allen
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by Michele McCall, Band Manager
The band was saddened to hear of the passing of a most beloved and iconic member of our Met Silver Band family – Ken Allen. There is no doubt in my mind that Ken was the backbone of this organization since becoming the band manager in 1962 until 2005, and as a member of our executive until retiring from the band in 2019 at the age of 90 years. Ken joined the junior band in September 1945 at the age of 16 and was playing in the MSB by 1949. Ken’s contributions to the band were also demonstrated by the history book he wrote with Bill and Kay Martyn, entitled MSB – 80 years of Music-Making at Metropolitan United Church, and a complete catalogue and collection of all recordings made by the MSB – from reel to reel to CD. However, it was his dedication to our band members, authentic love of music and all the happiness that those traits brought to Ken and those around him that will be remembered most. |
I know I speak for all our members when I say that we will always remember Ken for his mentorship, kindness and warmth. And of course, his wonderful talent as our lead trombonist. Ken was a great role model for me personally when I became band manager. I will always remember the hospitality that he and his wife Marilyn showed to our executive committee when we met at their house in Scarborough for so many years. He taught me the ins and outs of managing a band and was always encouraging in his kind way. With Ken’s passing, certainly an era of our band history has closed.
From our Music Director, Fran Harvey, as submitted to the Met Connect, the weekly email from Metropolitan United Church:
The Metropolitan Silver Band is saddened to announce that our longest serving member, Ken Allen passed away on Monday, March 10th. Ken was a member of the Met Band for over 73 years and the Band Manager for over 40 of those. While we mourn the loss of one of the most beloved members of our Met family, we also celebrate the love and passion he brought to the band over his many years with us.
Ken arrived at Met as a teenager when he heard that they had a Junior Band. At his first rehearsal he was handed a trombone and told to go home and learn how to play it. Less than a year later he won the solo classes at the Toronto Music Festivals. He later met his beloved wife, Marilyn, who we sadly lost in November of 2023, at a competition when she was assigned as his accompanist. He always said that he won in more ways than one that day!
Ken moved to the “Senior Band” in short order and was the Solo Trombonist for the rest of his tenure with the band. He could make your heart sing with his beautiful sound and the way he seemed to make every piece of music into something special just for you.
As the Band Manager, he expanded the outreach program of the band to include many performances in the GTA and beyond. You always knew when you arrived to play that the chairs would be all set up, and the Minister, Organist or organizer at the event would be smiling from a great chat with Ken. He was also a master at managing the personnel issues in his quiet caring, but firm, way with a smile and a kind word or two.
In his other roles at Met he was part of the group of the Junior Band that did the vigil for Dr. Bryce’s funeral, held his wedding with his beloved Marilyn at Met, was on numerous Church committees, including the search committee that brought Malcolm to the Met, and he was a lifelong member of the congregation. In his life beyond the Church and Band he also brought his keen intelligence and care for others to everyone in his world. His career at U of T Press, where he rose from typesetter to Manager of the press, was a testament to his energy and diplomacy.
Ken was a man who cared. Everything mattered to him, and he always did his best to make sure everyone he knew was looked after well. He cared about the Band, the Church, his friends and, of course, the Music. And he cared the most about the people he loved most Marilyn and their two daughters, Patricia and Barb. Our deepest thoughts and prayers will be with Barb and Pat and their family every time we think of Ken.
Ken’s quiet, warm smile, and cheery “hello there” will never be forgotten by all of us. He will be missed by many, and his legacy will be remembered forever by everyone he knew.
The Metropolitan Silver Band is saddened to announce that our longest serving member, Ken Allen passed away on Monday, March 10th. Ken was a member of the Met Band for over 73 years and the Band Manager for over 40 of those. While we mourn the loss of one of the most beloved members of our Met family, we also celebrate the love and passion he brought to the band over his many years with us.
Ken arrived at Met as a teenager when he heard that they had a Junior Band. At his first rehearsal he was handed a trombone and told to go home and learn how to play it. Less than a year later he won the solo classes at the Toronto Music Festivals. He later met his beloved wife, Marilyn, who we sadly lost in November of 2023, at a competition when she was assigned as his accompanist. He always said that he won in more ways than one that day!
Ken moved to the “Senior Band” in short order and was the Solo Trombonist for the rest of his tenure with the band. He could make your heart sing with his beautiful sound and the way he seemed to make every piece of music into something special just for you.
As the Band Manager, he expanded the outreach program of the band to include many performances in the GTA and beyond. You always knew when you arrived to play that the chairs would be all set up, and the Minister, Organist or organizer at the event would be smiling from a great chat with Ken. He was also a master at managing the personnel issues in his quiet caring, but firm, way with a smile and a kind word or two.
In his other roles at Met he was part of the group of the Junior Band that did the vigil for Dr. Bryce’s funeral, held his wedding with his beloved Marilyn at Met, was on numerous Church committees, including the search committee that brought Malcolm to the Met, and he was a lifelong member of the congregation. In his life beyond the Church and Band he also brought his keen intelligence and care for others to everyone in his world. His career at U of T Press, where he rose from typesetter to Manager of the press, was a testament to his energy and diplomacy.
Ken was a man who cared. Everything mattered to him, and he always did his best to make sure everyone he knew was looked after well. He cared about the Band, the Church, his friends and, of course, the Music. And he cared the most about the people he loved most Marilyn and their two daughters, Patricia and Barb. Our deepest thoughts and prayers will be with Barb and Pat and their family every time we think of Ken.
Ken’s quiet, warm smile, and cheery “hello there” will never be forgotten by all of us. He will be missed by many, and his legacy will be remembered forever by everyone he knew.
