Passion for music and dedication to community is often a repeated combination with Pathway of Fame inductees.
Few better personify the combination than does Wally Parnell.
His music career started early, and became a lifelong commitment. Wally began playing in Salvation Army bands at age 16. In 1949, he joined the Peterborough Citizens Band, becoming conductor a year later. For over 60 years (24 as conductor), Wally was an integral member of the Peterborough Concert Band. Under his guidance, the Concert Band won five Senior Band titles in Band Competitions at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), and four Canadian Championships.
During his ‘spare’ time, Wally served as president of the Peterborough Federation of Musicians (19 years), and contributed to the local Big Band scene by playing with the likes of Del Crary, Bobby Kinsman and Hal MacFarlane.
To enrich the life and esteem of a community through music takes a large measure of talent, hard work and dedication.
In other words, it takes a Wally Parnell.