A Year Off the Competition Field
The band recently took the decision to not compete in 2007. This was not reached easily. The band has competed each year since it was formed in the Fall of 1992, and for those 14 years the band has been Saskatchewan's premier pipe band, and has also won contests near and far. This year, it was not to be. The loss of a valued lead drummer in January to university studies, and thin numbers in the snare line for mixed reasons...and getting on the contest field at the level we desire is beyond what can be done this year.
The good news is that our advertising for a LD has drawn the attention of some very good people, and we are following up some exciting prospects for the future. Also, we have some new members recently acquired, and we are looking forward to re-launching the band's competitive streak next Fall, just in time to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the organization.
In the meantime, band members have sought other competitive opportunities to keep the skills up, and it'll be a great summer for many as they experience other bands and other competitive circuits. The band will be playing at a few events upcoming, and we are working hard on the Highland games weekend, the SPBA summer school, and other events. So, business as usual, but not on the contest field this year.
Stay tuned. We'll be back. It'll be the time of your life.
5 comments:
Wow.
I'm digesting the news with mixed feelings.
The CRPB has been a source of many great things for me - friendship, significant learning, and opportunities beyond words.
It's sad to know we won't be seeing those bright red kilts marching up to the line this summer, but comforting to hear that it's a "pause" versus a "stop".
All the best to the band, its members and making the best of what was undoubtedly a very tough decision.
Cheers,
SS
Sorry to hear the bad news.
Hope you guys can get back on your feet come fall.
Take Care,
Scott
Iain and Barb MacDonald and the CRPB helped so many of us to improve as players and then to move on to grade one bands --SFU, Alberta, and now Clan Gregor.
It occurs to me that it must be a bittersweet consequence of developing players so well only to lose them eventually to different pipe bands. I am sorry to hear that the band won't be competing this summer, and I am hopeful that you will be back soon!
For several years Saskatchewan in general was losing young people to Alberta and BC. Now it seems that many of them are coming back, drawn to affordable real estate, shorter commutes, and perhaps a sadistic desire to experience -40 winters (but it's SUNNY). Maybe pipe bands in Saskatchewan will experience a parallel boom...
Dani Millar
This fall the CRPB will be celebrating its 15th birhtday, and so will I. The band is a major part of my life and it has been long as I can remember. Since this is just a pause in the band, it always will be too. Even though CRPB isn't competing, there are still many fun and exciting things the band has to look forward too. I mean, we'll have to have a big birthday party with cake and balloons and lots of fast jigs!
Eilidh MacDonald
Don't despair...brighter things are coming...good things come to those that wait...it's always darkest before the end of the storm...an other inspiring sayings.
No kidding...the band has a great heart and will come back with renewed energy. Just don't let those hands and fingers get lazy.
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