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Bands

Sons of Scotland Pipe Band

SonsofScotlandOrganized in Toronto on June 27, 1876, the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association was a fraternal association of Scottish people, their spouses, and their descendants in Canada. Its functions were to "preserve and promote Scottish heritage and culture in Canada" by maintaining Scottish historical, literary, and musical traditions, and to promote among its members a feeling of community and comradery. Additionally, the Sons of Scotland was a fraternal benefit association; membership dues entitle members to a certain amount of insurance coverage, which can be increased according to their needs.

The Sons of Scotland was incorporated by the Province of Ontario in 1880, and by the Dominion of Canada in 1937. It was governed by a central Executive Board in Toronto called the Grand Camp, which was established in 1878 and was headed by a Grand Chief and a Grand Chieftain. 

In Regina, the Sons of Scotland, Camp Balmoral were active in the city as far back as 1896 when their Burns Dinner was reported in the Regina LeaderPost. At one point, members of various local pipe bands who were also Sons of Scotland members formed a pipe band that could perform specifically at SOS functions and in public on behalf of the Sons of Scotland. The band is no longer active, and when the national organization folded, the local Camp Balmoral became the Scottish Heritage Society of Regina. 

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Performing at the Scottish Pavilion, Mosaic Festival.

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At the Sask Legislature, Tartan Day, 2006

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Playing on 12th Ave in Regina. [L-R] Donald Felstrom, Graham Bradley, Dave Houston.

 

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The Melfort Pipe Band

The Melfort and District Museum kindly provided a copy of a history of the Melfort Pipe Band. We scanned a good portion of it and it tells about the band formation, early members, and lots of the details about the band oveer the years, including its life later on as "The Carrot River Valley Pipe Band".

The Melfort Pipe Band [pdf]

Melfort Scottish Pipe Back Row L R Clare Pyett Jim Badgley Jack Carbert Charlie Keddy Alex richardson Don Gibson. First Row Mike Babington Jimmy Richardson Hughie Nickle Bill Stewart G. K. Stewarts son

Melfort Scottish Pipe Band (1935)

Back-Row-L---R-Clare-Pyett-Jim-Badgley-Jack-Carbert-Charlie-Keddy-Alex-richardson-Don-Gibson.

-First-Row-Mike-Babington-Jimmy-Richardson-Hughie-Nickle-Bill-Stewart--G.-K.-Stewarts-son

 

Melfort Pipe Band Tommy Grieg, Jack Bell, Ken Gemmell, Jim Richardson, Doug McDonald, Archie Galloway, Dave Bain, Alma Galloway, Archie McGonigal, Reg Morrison, Jim McPhee.

 

L-R: Tommy-Grieg,-Jack-Bell,-Ken-Gemmell,-Jim-Richardson,-Doug-McDonald,-Archie-Galloway,-Dave-Bain,-Alma-Galloway,-Archie-McGonigal,-Reg-Morrison,-Jim-McPhee.

 

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Melfort Pipe Band on parade.

 

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Neil Sutherland, founder of the band and Melfort Police Chief.

The Green Braes Pipe Band

The Leader Post Thu Nov 28 1974  

Link to large version

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Green Braes in 1974

l to r Back Row
Heather Allen,? Mackay, Bruce Goett, Jamie Johnson, Derek Rogers, ?
Mackay, David Menzies, Mike Mackay, Christine Johnson. One of the Mackay's
is Karen and I don't know the first name of the other one.
Front Row-
Tracy Horner, Heather Scott, Kelly McGregor, Hugh Rogers, Craig Menzies,
Ian Rogers, Donald Murchie, Heather Menzies, Jackie Warren.

[Photo courtesy of L. Menzies]


 
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Regina Police Service Pipes and Drums

The Regina Police Service Pipes & Drums was formed in 1985 and initially instructed by George Crawford and Howard Chamberlain. Initially, the band was made up of police members only, all the new players having learned from scratch. Over time, more experienced pipers and drummer joined from the community, and currently, the band is comprised of mostly civilian members.

We need photos and more history here.

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A very early shot of the band, with P-M George Crawford on the left, and D-M Brian Fraser on the right.
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Photo of the Regina Police Pipe Band marching in the annual Police Memorial Parade.
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Ready for the parade.
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Performing at Bushwakker's in Regina.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Boy's Pipe Band

[Information coming]

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St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Boy's Pipe Band, with kilts, bagpipes, drums, standing on church steps. Back row centre is Tom Hogg. Middle row left to right: Archie Macmillan, Billy Montgomery, Muriel Boyle.

Date: [ca. 1940].

 

Source: Local History Room, Saskatoon Public Library

 

Yorkton & District Pipe Band

The Yorkton & District Pipe Band was established in 1978 and performs at community functions in the Yorkton District.
The community of Saltcoats, near Yorkton, was aprimarly Scottish settlement, and during the 1970s and 1980s the band organized an annual Highland games at Saltcoats.

Does anyone want to contribute a history of rhe band/s in Yorkton, along with some photos?
 
 
 
 
 

Saskatoon Police Pipes & Drums

Formed by serving police officer (retired as Deputy Chief of Operations) P-M Hugh Fraser, MMM, CD in 1961, the Saskatoon Police Pipes and Drums have represented the city at many events regionally and nationally over the years.

We'd love to have a bit of a history and some band photos. 

The Clansmen Pipe Band

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The Clansmen Pipe Band

Formed in the mid-late 1970s, the Clansmen featured graduates and instructors from local bands. Shown here [L-R] in front row: Jim McWilliams, Rod MacDonald (?), Andy McAnsh; 2nd row Linda McKenzie (?), ?; 3rd row Barry McMurdo, ?, Doug Lutz. Not sure of drummers other than L-D Larry Wong. Anyone have names? Or more photos?

 
 

The 46th Battalion Pipe Band, CEF

For a complete history of the unit and more on the Canadian Forces in WWI,
visit the Saskatchewan Dragoons web site.

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46th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1917
Photo: courtesy Saskatchewan Dragoons

Photo probably taken sometime between July 4-24 1917 at Hersin-Copigny, France which is located about 2 Kms NW of
Vimy Ridge. As part of the 10th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Canadian Division the 46th Battalion had played a pivotal role in the capture of a feature on Vimy Ridge known as the Pimple. The Pimple is the highest point on the Ridge and was the last part wrested from the Germans on April 12/13, 1917.
The Band played for HM King Edward on July 11/1917 when he visited the Canadian Corps and Vimy Ridge.
The band wore the Royal Stewart tartan.
Service Information on Band Members

[Thanks the Saskatchewan Dragoons Regimental Museum]

 

Another great source of information is J.L. McWilliam's history of the 46th,
The Suicide Battalion.

Saskatoon Boys' Pipe Band

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The Saskatoon Boys Pipe Band appear in 1962, before any uniforms are in place.

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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The band has uniforms the following summer.
The tartan chosen was the Saskatchewan Tartan, which was designed by the wife of Saskatchewan's then Lt. Governor.
Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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The Saskatoon Highland Games - 1963

A close look at this photo reveals the NSR Pipe Band [white tunics], The Saskatoon Boys (centre) and two unidentified groups.

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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The Saskatoon Boys - 1960s

This photo features a few members who are still active today!

Photo:courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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Postcard

Pipers L-R: Rob Findlater (P/M), Cam McIntosh, Larry Gray, Richard Betker, Bob Morton, Allan Brooks, Glen McEwan, Dennis Reed, Ron McDougall, Dave Robinson, Brian McHolm, Gordon Findlater (P/Sgt)

Drummers L-R: ?, Fred Betker, Larry Dunn, Ken Morton, 4?

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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 A Later Postcard

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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Saskatoon Star-Phoenix article describing the Boys' adoption of the hat badge insignia of the old 96th Highlanders.

clipping: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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Saskatoon Boys at Expo '67

The band travelled to Montreal in 1967 to take part in Canada's Centennial Exhibition. Here, the band performs at the Northwest Territories Pavilion.

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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Gordon Findlater and Dennis Read

1967

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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With Lt. Gov. Worobetz - 1970s

L-R: ?, Dave Hennigan, John Fisher, Hugh Fraser, Colin Dow, John Taras

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

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The 1971 Moose Jaw Kinsmen Band Festival Parade

The L/D at back is John Fisher--now an icon of pipe band drumming-- and in front is Hugh Fraser, whose pipe band work in Saskatoon has been the foundation of a number of good pipe bands over the years.

Photo: courtesy Donna & Gordon Findlater

1976Ottawa article

For two or three years in the late 1970s, bands from all across Canada met for a championship in Ottawa. This spectacular achievement was the brainchild of, among others, Pipe Major Archie Cairns.

 

City of Regina Pipe Band

 Link to band history
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City of Regina Pipe Band
Brandon Highland Festival 1993 

This was the band's first competition, and mini-band event at Brandon. L-D Paul Hamilton at left front, with Janet MacLeod, and Don Jeannotte on bass. Pipers were Gale Russell, Trewin Somers, Iain MacDonald and Todd Sinclair.

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BC Pipers' Annual Gathering 1996

Final tuning for mini bands. We had a solid performance and finished 2nd, winning "Best Drum Corps" in Grade 2. Pipers (L-R):Sean Somers, Trewin Somers (tuning), Ann Gray, Jared Brin, Iain MacDonald, Barbara MacDonald. Drummers were Ryan Sullivan, Tim Dixon (snares), Karen Adams (tenor) and Brian Fraser (bass).

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Canmore Highland Games 1997

Snare drummers: Dave Roth, L-D Ryan Sullivan, Tim Dixon. Tenor drummer Karen Adams and Bass was Brian Fraser. Pipers were: Barry Robinson, Dave Thorpe, Michelle Carline, Scott Pollen, Iain MacDonald, Sean Hall, Barb MacDonald, Trewin Somers, Jared Brin, Gale Russell and Sean Somers.

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Glengarry Highland Games 1998

Well-known judge Bob Worrall on the right.

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 Band Logo

This logo was developed for the band by Yvan Gagne, who was also a tenor drummer for the 78th Fraser Highlanders for a number of years. The band used it from about 1999 to 2011.

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City of Regina Pipe Band
Ellerslie Games - 2004 

L-R (back) Barbara MacDonald, Caroline Hart, Catherine Hart, Chris Milne, Sean Hall, Richard Wilson, Dave Thorpe, Alex Rasmussen, Graham Schmidt, Michelle Carline, Gale Russell, Iain MacDonald.
(front) Laura Scott, Brett Stinson, Kate Rennie, Mitch Stilborn, Marnie Wilson, Dave Thorpe.

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City of Regina Pipe Band
Glasgow, George Square - 2005 

L-R (back) Mitch Stilborn, , Nils Michael,  Chris Milne,  Helge Johannssen, Michelle Carline, Graham Schmidt, Chris Rae, Bryde Whelan, Alex Rasmussen, Richard Wilson, Dave Roth.
(front) Iain MacDonald, Rob Bailie, Catherine Hart, Gale Russell, Ruaridh MacDonald, Caroline Hart, Morgan Brady, Kenna Whelan, Angela Yanko, Ryan Sullivan, Brett Stinson, Barbara MacDonald

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City of Regina Pipe Band
North Berwick Highland Games - 2005 

2nd Place. Grade 2.

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City of Regina Pipe Band
World Championships - 2006 

We had a similar band in 2006, adding Aedan Whelan on tenor, Dave Hicks and Scot Young on pipes.

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City of Regina Pipe Band
North Berwick Highland Games - 2006 

The drum corps in the tuning park.

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Glengarry Highland Games, Maxville, Ontario - 2008 

Following a year away from regular competition in 2007 due to low numbers, the band came back with a very inexperienced group made up of younger players from Grade 4 bands, some adults who had not played in years, and a few veterans. 

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Piping Live! Festival, Glasgow - 2010 

Band members pose for official festival photos before our performance in George Square.

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Playing "Mull of Kintyre" with Sir Paul McCartney - 2013

In August, 2013, the band played "Mull of Kintyre" at an outdoor concert in Regina's "Mosaic Stadium" in front of 44,000 people.

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