Dr. Edsel Bonnell - Director of the GYB & GCB, 1973-2018

Director Emeritus Dr. Edsel Bonnell

The founder of the Gower Band Program in 1973 and its Director until his retirement in 2018 is Edsel J. Bonnell, C.M., LL.D., APR, FCPRS(H).  Dr. Bonnell was born in St. John’s, NL in 1935, and had a long career in media communications as a journalist, editor, publisher, and public relations consultant. He was the first consultant in Newfoundland and Labrador to earn professional accreditation (APR), and is an Honorary Member of the College of Fellows (FCPRS) and a Life Member of the Canadian Public Relations Society.

An ardent amateur musician and community worker, he was named St. John’s Citizen of the Year for 1984, a Member of the Order of Canada in 2001, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International in 2002, and received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal  the same year.

He was inducted into the Hall of Honour of the Kiwanis Music Festival of St. John’s in 2004, and received the CPRS Lamp of Service and Philip A. Novikoff Award in 2009. In 2011, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland for his service to community as both a bandleader and in public relations.

Dr. Bonnell retired as active Director of the Gower Community Band at the end of 2018. He was awarded the title of Director Emeritus in 2019, and remained an active consultant and fan of the band. He attended performances in person or via online streaming, and regularly emailed the band with his complimentary reviews after each performance.

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Dr. Bonnell passed away on February 7, 2024. He was 88 years old, and leaves behind a legacy of music and musicians almost beyond comprehension. Hundreds of GYB and GCB band members have played under his baton, and the path of each of their lives was made all the richer for that experience. More than a few of those band members went on to become professional musicians and educators, and influenced thousands more. You will find GYB and GCB alumni in almost every occupation, and in countries around the world, and they all share the ongoing love of music that was such a huge part of being in a band with Dr. Bonnell.

There was some media coverage in the week following Edsel's passing.

1.) His son John Bonnell was interviewed by Anthony Germain on "On The Go" Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

2.) Mike Herriott (GYB alumnus), Romano DiNillo (GYB alumnus), Ron Collins (GYB alumnus, current GCB Director), and Erin Dawe (GYB alumna, current GCB 1st Carinet) were guests of Heather Barrett (also a GYB alumna) Saturday Feb. 17, 2024 on "Weekend AM".

3.) Heather Barrett has written a lovely article as well.

The funeral service was live streamed, and is available for viewing (complete with the GCB Prelude HERE.

Edsel's Obituary is available here.

His song has not ended, it has merely changed key.