The Windsor Police Pipe Band Organization is planning to put together another band and we invite interest from players of all ages and experience levels to form this second band.

With support and instruction from senior members of the Grade 3 band, the goals of this new band are to gather players interested in additional learning opportunities (piping and drumming), playing with others in a group/band setting and supporting (not replacing) the existing band at events/parades. If player availability, skill and interest is sufficient, this band may also compete at the Grade V level on a limited basis. Additionally, we’ll be encouraging and supporting players to improve their skills with the aim of moving up to the Grade 3 band.

If you are interested, know of available players (both pipers & drummers), or have students that may be ready for a pipe band, please contact Steve Thomson with your contact information (including email address). A meeting/first practice will be setup shortly once a contact group is compiled.

Thanks for your support!

Steve Thomson (pipefuzz@yahoo.com)

The weather was near unbearable with high heat and humidity. Certainly not ideal for playing bagpipes outdoors! Again, we were the only Grade 3 band at the park and took home the prize for the grade. This year though, we also pulled in a 1st prize for the Slow March + 6/8 contest. This is something that is not usually part of our contest repertoire, and in the past, other bands have bested us in this contest. Congrats to all!

Overall, it was a fun and relaxed contest day with phenomenal entertainment afterwards. With our VERY short contest season now finished, we once again turn our attention towards next year as we continue to build the band. Thanks to all that support us!

For the Windsor Police Pipe Band, the Alma Highland Festival is the first outdoor contest of the season. Bands from all over the United States and Canada, descend upon the small town of Alma Michigan for an entire weekend of piping and drumming. This past weekend (May 28-29), after missing the contest for 3 years in a row, the WPPB returned to the Alma contest circle and won the US Open Championship in Grade 3! The win was a combination of a 1st place in piping, 1st place in ensemble and 2nd place in drumming. Congratulations to everyone in the band and thanks to all those who support us!

For the most part, the Sunday championship contest saw perfect weather. However, it quickly turned and tornado warnings forced the organizers to move the closing ceremonies indoors where the 3 Grade 1 bands in attendance played as the final massed bands.

The 2011 US Open Champions:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c1pRP7jcI4

With a big win under our belt, the band is more eager than ever to get out there again and bring home more prizes.

Our friends, the Toronto Police Pipe Band, have recently announced another concert at the El Mocambo! Follow the links below for more information.

• Toronto Police Pipe Band
• El Mocambo Club

The WPPB is planning a much lighter contest season for 2011 due to a number of issues including player availability and financial restrictions. Regardless, everyone is eager and preparing to show off our new music this season!

A total of 5 contests (2 in Ontario, 3 in Michigan/Ohio) is on the schedule:

1. Alma Highland Games – May 28-29
2. Ohio Scottish Highland Games – June 25 Canceled
3. Cambridge – July 16 Canceled
4. St. Andrews (Livonia) – August 5-6
5. Fergus – August 13-14 Canceled

The significantly reduced number of planned appearances this year will open up a number of weekends for the band to plan a fundraiser and possibly a much deserved band trip.

 The band will be on parade again this year in the annual Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday March 13th. Many Windsor/Detroit area pipe bands participate in the parade including:

• Scottish Society of Windsor Pipe Band
• Metro Detoit Police & Fire Pipes & Drums
• Detroit Shrine Highlanders Pipe Band

We usually put on a small show at the Gaelic League (beer tent) after the parade as well. So come out for the parade, party at the Gaelic League, and show us your shamrock!

In addition to the parade, band members can also be seen (and heard) all over the Detroit area on Thursday, March 17th as we team up with the TriCounty Beverage Company to bring some bagpipe and drumming entertainment to hundreds of local pubs & bars. Come out and have a drink with us!

The Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band was a new Grade 1 pipe band which formed with the aim of competing at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2008. The band consisted of top pipers and drummers from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia and the USA.

The idea to form the band was hatched by a number of the participating competitors when they recognized that there were many excellent pipers and drummers not currently playing with bands and unable to commit to a band on a year round basis that would enjoy the opportunity to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships.

The idea was met with great approval and so the band began to form with many of the worlds top soloists, including eleven Gold Medal winners, coming together for the challenge.

For more information about the film, visit: http://www.onthedaymovie.com/

For showtimes & ticket information, visit: http://www.cineplex.com/Movies/MovieDetails/On-The-Day.aspx

Official band website: www.SpiritOfScotlandPipeBand.com

The band would like to wish everyone a safe, happy, and prosperous 2011.

Some changes have already taken place for the band. Due to unforeseen family obligations, Colin Paige has regretfully stepped down as LD/DS. Colin’s contributions to the organization over the last decade are greatly appreciated. We all wish him and his family the best.

Brian Russell, another phenomenal talent in the drum corps, has taken the reigns and is our new LD/DS. Brian is well respected in the band, so this will be an easy transition for the drummers.

Cheers to everyone in 2011!!

The Windsor Police Pipe Band organization would like to wish all band members, executive, supporters, fans, and everyone else a happy and safe holiday season.

Here’s to an exciting and successful 2011!

The WPPB has been invited to feature one of our pipers in the WSO’s annual Holiday Pops Concert. Pipe Sergeant Jason Peterson volunteered and will play a classic holiday solo during the show. In addition to being a professional bagpiper, Jason also plays the guitar, mandolin, tin whistle and various other instruments… a true musical enthusiast.

Celebrate the Season with the WSO’s annual Holiday Celebration.

Vist the WSO website for ticket information: http://www.windsorsymphony.com

Details:

Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.

Location: Chrysler Theatre
Featuring: John Morris Russell (Conductor), WSO Chorus, Joel Tranquilla (Chorusmaster), Detroit Choral Society, Dr. Norah Duncan IV (Artistic Director), & The Windsor Police Pipe Band’s Jason Peterson (Bagpipes)