Brass bands were local expressions of a Citizens' Band Movement that developed in Europe and North America during the last half of the 19th century. Brass bands were composed of varieties of brass instruments with a small percussion section. They tended to be organizations of volunteer enthusiasts as opposed to professional bandsmen.
There are newspaper records of a volunteer brass band in Sydney Mines as early as 1845. The first brass band for which there is direct evidence was organized in Sydney Mines in 1862 by Robert Wilson, the manager of the Low Point mine. Wilson later formed a band in Victoria Mines and, by 1870, had organized one in Sydney.
A Catholic Mutual Benefit Association (CMBA) Band was organized in Sydney Mines in 1901. It's members included: Fred Merritt, Frank MacKinnon, Dr. Paul Baxendale, J. Watson (Bandmaster), Hilliary Merritt, William Gallagher, Thomas Connelly, James Sweeney, William Harte, Hugh Higgins, Jack Merritt, William Merritt, Thomas McNamara, William Tobin, Malcolm MacNeil, Cass MacLellan, Donald A. MacNuil, Charles McNamara, Arthur Bakendale.