We would like to invite new and existing Shriners to join The Al Shamal Oriental Band . In 1955, the Edmonton Shrine Club formed the Oriental Band. Nobles Herb Peet and Tommy Fox began practices. The first uniforms were made by a dedicated wife. By 1960, membership in the band had grown to 32 members, all lovers of good music. Currently the Oriental Band has 17 members.

Today, under the musical direction of Noble Tony Lee, the modern band meets every Monday evening to practice and meet for fellowship. At least once a month we casually go out for supper prior to Band. We are very family oriented; our social events include our spouses, children, and our widows. We participate in 7 or 8 parades every summer. We perform from a custom-built band trailer that provides a comfortable venue for all of our members. Our band is a fine balance of percussionists, and Oriental Musette players. Do not let a perceived lack of talent or musical ability stop you from joining the Band. The music is easy to play. If you ever sat in a drum circle, or have beaten on a hollow log around a campfire our talented percussionists will have you trained- up in no time flat. The Oriental Musette is no more difficult to play. If you played a recorder in Grade 3 you will pick it up easily. The music is written in numerical notation, so each number corresponding to a finger-lift. The written music looks like this: 1-3-2-2-3. Our repertoire includes 6 or 7 tunes which we change up yearly.

We support charities that focus on children, using the funds we raise doing Casinos. In our history we have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to The Glenrose Hospital to support their work with children. We work closely with other Al Shamal Shriners to support Shriners Hospitals for Children in Montreal, Quebec. We exist to support our charities; we do our best to have fun doing it. Working together, within the band, creates strong friendships and reinforces the brotherly bond.