The Time of Your Life = Today
The last few weeks have been busy ones for the pipe band, and there have been opportunities for multiple posts, but alas, not the time to follow through. This past weekend here was the one annual Highland Games weekend in Saskatchewan. It was a very important weekend for the City of Regina Pipe Band, because it signalled the return of the band to the outdoor competition field, and with a roster that is significantly different than the last time the band competed outdoors [Perth Highland Games, August 2006].

There have been a lot of really great moments in the City of Regina Pipe Band, and I have been fortunate to have been part of them all. We've had some great plays, and some good prizes in many different places. We have also had times when simply competing was in itself a huge victory of will over circumstance and geography.

The past year has been a tumultuous one in many respects. Through all the changes, the thing that has sustained my interest has been the keen desire of people to play. The band that took the field this weekend is a hodge-podge of types: young, old, experienced, inexperienced, and the majority of them have not played before in the band, and over half have not played in higher than a Grade 4 band. And yet...it seemed to work.

We had two great days of some good tone and music, and lots of laughs to go with it. Sure: there's room to improve, and we're a long way from where we want to be, but we're here, and we're getting better every week.

I can't say enough good about the band members who [all] played this weekend. Your loyalty, dedication and desire to make the band work have all paid off. My hat's off to you. See you at practice.

The Long Road Back
It occurred to me the other day that it has been a long time since this pipe band competed. Our last contest was August 2006: Perth Highland Games. A lot has happened since then, not the least of which has been a very major change in the band personnel.A quick poll at band yesterday revealed that of the 11 pipers and 5-6 drummers who were at practice, only 4 people had been with the band at Perth that day. That's huge.

We have a large number of band members who have not competed in Grade 2 before, some who haven't competed in years, and many who are competing with this band for the first time. That makes the upcoming weekend and the Brandon Highland Festival a kind of noteworthy day. We aren't expecting great things: only playing medley this weekend, and that is still "in development," but it was really great to be playing without scores/tunes on the floor for the first time yesterday.

Most encouraging to me was that we had and maintained a solid sound for the entire band practice. It could still be blown better and more consistently, but it is a major improvement over the sound of the band even a month ago.

It's been a long road from Perth to here. Thanks to all you band members who have made the commitment to get the band on the field again. Pipers have mad a strong commitment to two practices a week, and drummers who have worked hard to develop the corps with the LD at a distance. I'm looking forward to the weekend, and will be happy to see us on the field once again.

An Open Window
Today at band, it seemed as though the window opened slightly onto the spring and summer. It was a great day today, warm and sunny—one of those days where you almost [or actually] begrudge going into the dark Legion. But go we did, and it was an excellent practice. Worked on harmonies and medley bits, and played the medley a total of 6-7 times start to finish with the drummers.

Not only did the window open weather-wise, but what I'm getting at is that the medley had real promise today. You can hear the pieces coming together, and the sound getting stronger. Oh....there's still lots to do, no doubt, but there's real promise of some great music about to happen. Nice work.

To Talk of many Things
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
[Lewis Carroll: The Walrus and the Carpenter]

Quite a bit of water has flowed under the bridge since the last post. Hard to know where to begin, or how to draw it together. The weekend after being in Greenwood, NS as reported below, I was off to Calgary to judge a wee contest and play a few tunes. I had the pleasure of hanging out with James W and James P Troy, father and son from Victoria. Ever passionate about everything piping, Jamie senior is a fascinating guy, and no less so is James P, who only a couple of weeks later became one of a very few people in history to sweep all three pro piping events at the BC Pipers Annual Gathering. [See JWT Blog & Photos] What a great result for all concerned.

Also in Calgary, I had the pleasure of spending time with Dave Hicks, and it was great to catch up on the news, and hear how well things are going there. Sorry to hear that Dave won't be playing with the band this year, but it has been great having him in the band for the past couple of seasons! That would be a huge loss to any band.

Then there was St. Patrick's Weekend [remember when it used to be just a day?] and the concerts in Minot and at the Confluence Centre near Williston. Can't say enough about how well we were treated and received, and MANY thanks to the Celtic Committee in Minot for their hard work getting us down, and to the Moose Lodge for sponsoring us, and for Ebenezer's Bar for their fantastic hospitality and pints, and for the many people we met who were genuinely appreciative of the band and the music. Thanks to Paul and Diane Behm especially for their hospitality and organization. Thanks also to the staff at the Confluence Centre for once again having the band down, and for promoting the concert so well. We had a full house once again, and this time a gorgeous day for piping above the rivers. Then on the actual Holy Day of Obligation—March 17— we were at O'Hanlon's for pints and tunes, and quite a few laughs. Thanks to Niall and the staff at O'Hanlon's.

Easter Weekend we had a few sessions with the band. People in from Winnipeg, and drummers working hard to get the medley up, and lots of progress made. The medley is coming together, and starting to feel like fun.

The huge news in the past week os was the tragic death of one-time CRPB member Dan Matheson. Dan played with the band for a season way back in the early days, and then was for many years part of the Victoria Park Pipe Band, up until the last VP trip to Maxville, in about 2003. Since then, Dan had been P-M and piper with the Wa Wa Shrine in Regina. Hard to fathom this kind of news: terrible for all concerned, and certainly the local community will miss Dan's passion for piping and pipe bands. Our condolences to his many friends and family members.

And as to whether pigs have wings...just watch the band fly later in the season. ; )

The Piping Life
This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Greenwood, Nova Scotia to work with the 14 Wing CFB Greenwood Pipe Band. The band is run by Pipe Major Scott Pollen, who started his career in piping with the Kamsack, SK Air Cadet Unit. He learned pipes from Prince Albert resident Dave Monette, and later from the Yorkton & District Pipe Band. I first ran into Scott when he was about 16, and I heard him play solos at the Brandon Games, and asked Brian Fraser [our bass drummer, who lived in Yorkton, just south of Kamsack] who was the kid from Kamsack who could play so well. Scott ended up joining the CRPB, and got leave from cadet camp to attend Maxville with the pipe band. Scott played off and on with the band for a couple of years, and came back for a summer season in 2002 to play with the band. All the while, he continued with cadet piping, reserve pipe bands, and eventually was given the opportunity to join the regular forces, where he received training and passed his pipe major's training course. Now, Scott is a full-time Canadian Forces pipe major. He organizes and trains the 14 Wing Pipe Band, and fulfills other training and performance duties in the local community and with the Canadian Forces. The 14 Wing band performs at various tattoos and at events across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

It was great to get out there to work with Scott's band, and to see the work he is doing for piping in that part of the world. As you would expect of someone dedicated enough to be the only cadet piper in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Scott has thrown himself into the role, and has a professional looking and great sounding band going there, with a strong group of mostly civilian volunteers.

One of the disappointments of running a band like the CRPB is when people move on, and one of the great satisfactions is when you see them succeeding with new piping challenges. Most of us don't get the chance to turn our passion for piping and pipe bands into a full-time occupation, so it's very cool to see Scott's full-time piping life in the military.

Keeping Tracks
This past week my computer started to slow down and complain while I was working, and I had to take a serious look at what I have piled up on the hard drive. The result, as some may have noticed, was a flurry of video dumped to YouTube. It occurred to me while I was doing this, that these are valuable [and fun] bits of information about th band, who played, and where we were. Some of these short clips came from various cameras. I think Alex Rasmussen did the short ones, from Scotland and Canmore. Do you remember the beer tent being that wild? Do you remember being there? : )
Anyway, I know that I have some more gems on tape, and I plan to get them up here at some point, and I want to encourage the rest of you to do the same.

You can all dump photos onto the band's Facebook site, and YouTube for video, etc. Pretty fun to look back, and helps keep us all interested in driving ahead. Works for me, anyway.

Catch the moments as they fly
This week is the birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns, and across the world, people will be celebrating his art and life in one way or another. Burns has a lot to say to us, even in this day of blogs, Facebook, Blackberry, et al. This year, the Conservatory of Performing Arts Pipe Band is going to be having a small Burns Supper on Friday, January 25th. CRPB members will also be there. Looking forward to it. Meantime, plans are brewing for the Mid-Winter Celtic Festival and a day of music and fun. Be sure to get your tickets to hear the City of Regina Pipe Band, and also the re-united Iron Brew. It's going to be a party!

Haven't been keeping up with this blog. Been working on a lot of band music, projects and people. Keep watching this space. Happy New Year, and also Happy Burns Day!

Here's A Bottle

There's nane that's blest of human kind
But the cheerful and the gay, man.
1.
Here's a bottle and an honest friend!
What wad ye wish for mair, man?
Wha kens, before his life may end,
What his share may be o' care, man?
2.
Then catch the moments as they fly,
And use them as ye ought, man!
Believe me, Happiness is shy,
And comes not ay when sought, man!

Merry Christmas
Modern life offers few real breaks and holidays. Christmas is that one-day feast sandwiched between the fabulous last-minutes sales and parties of Christmas Eve, and the Boxing Day Blowout sales and bar parties that prevail. [Are you going to O'Hanlon's for the "Boxing Day Ugly Sweater Party"?] In the rush of things to do and people to see over the holidays, I hope you all find those moments of peace and happiness that can be so rare. Best wishes of the season to all band members and friends, former members and anonymous posters who read here.

Things I've Learned About Pipe Bands

1. You can't make a band sound good unless all the players sound good.
2. The band can't play well unless all the players are playing well.
3. Band players can't play well without investing significant time and energy to do so.
4. Experience and time served count for nothing if you're not working at your music.
5. Enthusiasm for the task and attitude are huge factors, but only if supported by persistent attention to details, and a willingness to change.
6. The point of a band practice is to refine what you bring to the hall. The more you bring, the better we can be. The reverse holds true also.

Sorry if you were expecting 10 items. You think this is the Letterman Show? : )

Learn From the Coach
If you've been in the band for more than a month, you likely know that I am not really, in many ways, a sports fan. Unlike some of us, it is unlikely you'll ever see my face painted green, unless maybe the Speers Funeral people think it would be funny when the time comes. What I do love about watching sports, and the thing I loved about participating when I did on occasion, was that there is a lot that is transferable to a pipe band setting.

We operate as a team, we depend on each other to play well, we need cooperation, team spirit and a common purpose. In pipe bands, we compete with other pipe bands, and we compete with other players in the same band for a spot on the field. Like all of you, I raced home from band and snapped on the TV to see the game. You Winnipeg guys were already soaked in beer and celebrating the win in Toronto, and now we have the best of all possible finals: Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. We expect Rob Bailie to be really wasted regardless who wins. Don't let us down.

Anyway, my larger point is this: I have listened a lot to what Rider Coach Kent Austin has said about his team and its performances since September, and I think there are some transferable things to the CRPB situation. Austin continually stresses that it is the expectation that players will show up ready to play, that they will know their play books, and execute accurately, and when they don't, he doesn't mince words for the team or the media: he just lays it out there. He says what is going well, and he says clearly what needs to be improved. Expectations are clearly defined. Individual targets are set, and as they were today and last week: goals are reached.

Make no mistake: having a better pipe band here means we all have to raise our game. It's not about who the band members are, how many we have, etc. It's all about your sound, your steadiness, and your knowledge of the music. In the next while, I am going to set general expectations for players at band, and start providing detailed information about what needs to be done to meet them.

Meantime, wear your green shirt to band next week. And you Winnipeg guys: bring your banjos to band on the 1st.

How Can I Make a Difference?
Today was, for me, the most enjoyable band practice in a long time. Started with me not having half the gear I needed, but thankfully....not a long haul to get home. Although it made my arm hurt, I loved playing pipes that long at this time of year. And, I loved the fact that there were drummers up on drums, too. Nice work.

I spoke [at length, some might say] today to the pipers about the need to have the pipes going well. Good band performances are all about sound. That was re-impressed on me when I read the final installment of the Pipes|Drums interview with Richard Parkes. If you haven't read this, you should. In fact, if you don't have a subscription to Pipes|Drums, you should. Richard Parkes is brilliant, and his comments on bands, FMM in particular, and the scene in general, are very interesting.

And that leads me to this: if you are the kind of person who likes to make a difference in an organization, who likes to contribute to the band's success, then there is one simple thing you can do: practice. I know that many of you are, and do, and I also know that we have a few "coasters"...the folks who don't really get excited until the air tickets are purchased, or until the concert is a week or so away. Not good enough.

For the band to have settled, great sound, we need each piper to have that. Find your sound. Play. Make the reeds go. Find what works best. Get comfortable. Seek help. Come with a sound. For the drum corps to have a groovy feel going, we need each of the players to have that. Learn the scores. Make them yours. Develop the style, get the feel, hum the tunes. Groove.

All of this can be done at home. You have sheet music, recordings, good instruments and reeds. Be a musician. Record yourself. Be critical. Develop. Improve. Motivate others with your zest for doing it well.

All of that comes back to rest on the band, and who knows: maybe one day you'll get the chance to play with Richard Parkes.

Jim Teaches More Than Drumming
If you live on the pipe band planet, you are likely aware that this past weekend was the World Solo Drumming Championships. This annual event attracts top snare drummers from around the world to compete. Since he started competing, Jim Kilpatrick, M.B.E. has won the solo title 16 times, and has placed 2nd another 16. That's an astounding feat, never likely to be equalled. This past weekend, Jim was eliminated from the competition in a semi-final round, and did not get to compete in the final, for the first time in my memory. Pipes|Drums posted a story about that, with Jim's response.

Jim faced it head on, and essentially shrugged it off. Wasn't his best ever play, and wasn't his worst. He seemed a little surprised to not make the final, but was gracious in his praise and congratulations for those who did. No words about the judges or the judging. Jim is a shining example of how great people handle things that don't work out. No blame, no complain, just get on with it. "I'll be back," he says.

Apart from his exceptional musical ability, Jim's key to success is his passion for the music. Results come and go, years come and go, and he continues to play, teach, compose and turn out great drum corps. Like other great pipe band musicians, it is his passion for doing it, his love of the music, that drives the thing forward.

That kind of dedication and passion, even in the face of great disappointment, is what band members here are going to have to find. This isn't going to be easy, but it could be a lot of fun. What drives you? Do you have passion for the music and the instrument, or are you about the trips? Are you frustrated about the commitment shown by others, or are you working positively to turn out the best sound you can, regardless of who's there?

And there's another thing we can learn from Jim. In the mid-1980s, when the Shotts band was at a low ebb, Jim Kilpatrick and Robert Mathieson left Polkemmet Pipe Band, which they had built into a real contender, to go back to Shotts, which had fallen on hard times. There were games when Shotts went out with 8 and 10 pipers, and three snares, but they went out. Kilpatrick and Mathieson were anxious to support the band organization that had provided them so many opportunities, so that it could continue to provide those opportunities for others. We know where it went from there.

There is something really positive and worthwhile about building things in your own community. I see it as a responsibility, a payback of sorts, especially when the community has provided so much to begin with. The right choices aren't always the easy ones.

Week One: A Great Start
It's always a little bit daunting to go to the first band practice, and after a year off competing, and the knowledge that we don't have a complete team in place, even more so. So, off we go to the Royal Canadian Legion and there we found that people had travelled from Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Moosomin for practice. With about a dozen pipers, 4 sides, 2 tenors and a bass, it wasn't the biggest practice ever, but it was a very healthy start. Great to see some of the new members playing through the music. Clearly: work has been done.

Most promising was how keen people were to get onto pipes and drums, and while we didn't have a lot we could play, I was interested to see how many folks could scramble through the new medley. We have some things to sort out there for sure, and we made some strides today. Overall, a very positive start. And if you're out there wondering if there is room for more players, the answer is "yes." You want there to be a good band? Come and make one.

Thanks to all those who came out, and to those who emailed to say they couldn't be there. Looking forward to next week. For those who want one, we are coming into a new stock of t-shirts, as pictured. You can order them through the band web site very soon, or send an email.

The Start of Something Good
Here we are back in September. This past season the band was essentially inactive after May, although as pointed out in a previous post, the band has nevertheless been able to make an impact on local events.

Coming back into September, CRPB band members [and those who watch from near and far] are no doubt wondering what is "up" for the coming year. Essentially, it's up to you. Do you want a senior-level pipe band in Saskatchewan? Do you want to contribute? Can you commit? A casual observer of the pipe band scene will understand that this is the time of year for many bands when all bets are off, and that has been true for the CRPB since about last January. The power to change that lies with those of you who can play.

The band needs a lead drummer, and we need drummers in general, but we also need more committed pipers and mid-section players, and a few committee members would be cool too.

We also need a sponsor.

So, the list of needs is big, but no bigger than it was in 1992. In fact, it is considerably smaller. We have uniforms, new instruments, experienced and committed players, a junior band system, and a little money in the bank. What are you waiting for? Email us, and let's make something happen here. Band starts the second Sunday in October.

Donald MacLeod
This time of year always brings a wash of both sad and happy memories related to time I spent with Donald MacLeod. Donald died suddenly June 29, 1982. It seems hardly possible that so much time has passed since then, and it's still hard to believe at times that he is gone. Donald MacLeod is one of the most accomplished musicians of any generation: a supremely musical player, composer, arranger, innovator and teacher. He worked successfully within the established systems and norms of his time, and at the same time developed his own way of doing things, and his own personal style. All of this is well documented in a variety of places, and by various people.

My experience with Donald MacLeod started at summer schools in Saskatchewan, in 1968. The photo here was taken from a shot at the Fort San summer school. He was an engaging teacher, and he knew how to grasp hold of the imagination, or of mine, anyway. All the tunes were connected to people, places and events, and it was all living and vital history to Donald. He presented the music in a broad cultural context, and he tailored it to engage students of various ages.

Years later, I had the chance to study with Donald in Scotland. Over two years, I got to know Donald from an adult perspective, and at a time in his life when he was moving out of active work at Grainger & Campbell Bagpipe Makers, and into retirement. I left Scotland for home in November 1981, and the last tune I had with Donald was "Lament for Macdonald's Tutor." I am still lamenting.

And, I am still grateful. I count myself extremely fortunate to have had some time with Donald MacLeod, and to have had the benefit of his wisdom in many things, not just piping.

Tom Foote, Mosaic Festival, and Making a Difference Off the Field

Recently, the band had the pleasure of hosting a workshop with Tom Foote, who was here from Rochester, NY for a few days. We had 18 or so enthusiastic drummers from several local bands, and Tom put on a great session. The next day, he worked with drummers at the CRPB practice. Great to have someone of his calibre here for the workshop, and we look ahead to the summer school, when Doug Stronach, Steven McWhirter, and Tyler Fry are coming!
Anyway, thanks Tom, and to all those who came out.

The CRPB had to cancel performances at the Mosaic Irish Pavilion because we just didn't have enough members around to make it go. Too bad. At the same time, we hear that the Scottish Pavilion was another session of back-stabbing skullduggery, with arguments about who gets what spots, what the policies are, who should be working...and even performers booing other performers. Just makes you all warm and fuzzy, knowing how much good will and good sense there is in that show. Or, it would if you weren't one of two pipe bands in Regina who have been systematically excluded from the "club" for years. Despite what was said at meetings, two of the city's pipe bands did NOT receive invitations to participate in any way. It's a problem really: should we be insulted, or thankful? : )

And lastly, a note about the band and some off-field efforts this year. Despite no sponsorship arrangements, the band has done quite well financially over the past years. In 2006, for example, we travelled to Scotland, purchased a new set of pipe chanters, a complete new set of drums, and updated some uniform stuff. Not bad. This year, we have turned our focus outside the band, and have sponsored the following initiatives:

Regina Highland Games - The CRPB was a Gold Sponsor for the 2007 games, the same level as the City of Regina itself! As the original organizing force behind the games in 1996, we believe strongly in the value of this event for Regina, and for piping and drumming in this region.

Conservatory Pipe Band Drums - The CRPB has financed the purchase/refit of new drums for the Conservatory Pipe Band. The new drums are the Stronach/Cameron "wee drums" as played by the Toronto Police Pipe Band. The drums sound great, and are also lighter and easier to manage, so they should be perfect for the expanding junior band. The purchase is part of the CRPB's ongoing commitment to developing opportunities for young players in the area.

Tom Foote Workshop - The band opened this up for FREE to any interested drummers, and they came.

SOUND ADVICE Scholarships - The CRPB has put up several scholarships for young pipers and drummers to attend the Sound Advice summer camp. The purchase is part of the CRPB's ongoing commitment to developing opportunities for young players in the area.

Desmond Worfolk Goes to Cowal - Desmond is a Regina area dancer who has often performed at band concerts, and whose recent competition success has drawn a lot of attention locally. A couple of years ago, Desmond was a runner up [was it 3rd or 4th?] at Cowal, the World Championships for Highland dancing. That was a great achievement, and Desmond is one of a very few Saskatchewan dancers to get a prize at the Worlds. He's dancing well, working hard, and in a tough financial spot, so the CRPB is stepping in with $1,000 to get him to the big show this year. We appreciate the value of working toward big goals, and we're happy to assist Desmond as he raises the bar for himself. Good luck Desmond!

At the end of the day, "Scottish community" is an empty term if it's defined by what shifts you work at Mosaic, what group you belong to, or where you take your lessons. It's about people sharing experiences and and interest in Scottish arts and culture. This year, we thought we'd share some of our experiences and good fortune.

Another Great Weekend at the Games

The Moose Jaw and Regina Highland Games are now past, and it was a great weekend. The weather was fine for band events, and unfortunately was miserable in the mornings both days. Players suffered through cold and biting wind on Saturday in Moose Jaw [still not sure why] and Regina was indoors in the morning.

The Conservatory of Performing Arts Pipe Band emerged from the weekend as Saskatchewan Grade 4 Champions for the 4th time in the last five years, and many of the band members did well in solos, so it was a great weekend for all in the organization.

The City of Regina Pipe Band played no small role in the weekend, despite not being "on the field" for competition. Band members organized the piping and drumming events, the Queen City Open Highland Dancing Championship, and members played a variety of volunteer and support roles throughout the weekend. As well, the band played at the Regina Ceilidh, and that was quite a bit of fun, and good to get a couple of people out for the first time since...Perth Highland Games!

This week, we're looking forward to a vist from Tom Foote and we'd encourage all drummers to take advantage of the workshop on May 26. Details HERE.

On Your Mark, Get Set...

The next two to three weeks are going to be busy. There is the start of the Scottish pipe band season, and me making a Grade 1 attempt with ScottishPower, and while the prairie season has already started, the May Long Weekend Games usually is a "start" for many bands. This year, the CRPB will be playing at the Regina Highland Games Ceilidh with whatever members we can muster for the event, and of course working hard with the Conservatory of Performing Arts Pipe Band and its competitions over the weekend.

On that note, Brandon Games was a great day for the band members,m with lots of piping and drumming prizes across the board and two very improved band sets from Winnipeg Games in February. The new medley was well received, and the band played very well in that event. [OK, we were surprised, but it was a good surprise!]

So, a number of CRPB members are heavily into organizing parts of the Games weekend here, so it will be busy. The weekend following, we are having a one-day drum workshop with Tom Foote who currently hails from Rochester, NY and is a member of the Toronto Police Pipe Band. Tom has a long history with Grade 1 bands going back to the Clan MacFarlane, 78th Fraser Highlanders and Metro Toronto Police. If you are a snare drummer and anywhere close...you should come. Details here.

What does any of this have to do with the City of Regina Pipe Band? Well, just this: all the current band members' new experiences, organizational contributions, and skill development are going to come back to the CRPB when it gets back competing.

Brandon Games This Weekend

I always have liked going to the Brandon Indoor Games. For years, it was organized single-handedly by PM Alex Cupples, and he looked after the judges, sold tickets, harassed soloists and pipe majors, organized the stewards, did the anouncements...well, you get the picture. It was a one-man show. His supporting team was his late wife, Jenny, and his family members and students, and the members of the Brandon Shrine and 26th Field Regt. bands.

Now, the Games is run by students of Alex: Dave Kyle and Richard Wilson, and they have a great supporting team, too. Their team includes Alex himself, who meets and greets, opens his home to folks, and harasses the recitalists about not playing enough piobaireachd.

Alex Cupples is one of the great characters of prairie piping. He came to Canada in 1973 or '74 after a career with the British Army as a pipe major in the Gordon Highlanders. He was PM of a good civilian pipe band, Livingston and Pumpherston, and he had instruction from some of the greats. He arrived on the prairies as a great gust of fresh air, and he set about organizing. He brought amateur solo grading—as opposed to age categories—to the prairies, and he has been a tireless volunteer, judge, teacher, organizer and cheerleader for regional piping.

This weekend the Conservatory Pipe Band will be competing in Brandon, and all the kids are in the solos, and it's always a great time. The thing that I've really come to value over the years is the tremendous energy and commitment it takes to run these events, and the ability to catch up and enjoy tunes with so many good people.

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.