Latest News

This site is retired

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:41:19 +0000

This site is temporarily being kept around, but will disappear after all the data has been transferred to the main site. Thanks to Ken MacKenzie for all of his past assistance and Mike Greene and Rock Island Technology Solutions for moving the website to an updated server and helping us troubleshoot and manage the transition to the new WordPress based website on http://bcpipers.org

Mini Gathering #1 order of play posted

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:05:20 +0000

Welcome to the first event of the 2012/2013 season!

We will be trying out the new website this week, but here's the link to the order of play for the first mini-gathering of the year on November 3rd. Pitt River Middle School, doors open at 11:00 am, competitions at noon. Visit the Mini-Gatherings page for more information, or see the new calendar on the new website, click the mini gathering event and visit the new Mini Gatherings page.

Mini Gathering #1 Order of Play

Jack Lee wins Piobaireachd at Glenfiddich

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 05:34:06 +0000

Jack Lee won the Piobaireachd at the Glenfiddich on October 27, 2012. Jack was the first piper from North America to ever win the overall event in 2003. Congratulations to the winner Iain Spears, his first time winning the event, to WiIlie McCallum, the MSR winner, and to all of the competitors at the competition, it’s a remarkable feat to qualify for this event.

Many more spectators were able to experience it this year than ever before due to The Piping Centre streaming it live for the first time in its history, with more than 800 watching the stream during the MSR portion of the contest, and hundreds through the whole day-long event, which began at 2 AM PST. Murray Henderson shared that he would be retiring from competitions as of this event.

Finally, it was exciting to watch 20 something pipers such as Callum Beaumont and Finlay Johnston take prizes; Callum (the youngest player at the event) with a 5th in Piobaireachd and Finlay with a 4th in MSR. It bodes well for piping competitions that players in their twenties are able to see success at this, the highest level of competition in solo piping.

Congratulations to Jack for once again being an excellent ambassador for the top levels of piping in the BCPA region; an excellent result yet again.

Piobaireachd Club: December 14th 7:30 pm

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 21:16:41 +0000

Mark your calendar.

The next Piobaireachd Club meeting will be:

When: December 14 at 7:30 pm

Where: The Lee Family house. 19514 - 76 Ave. Surrey

The piper of the month will be Hal Senyk. All young pipers are encouraged to come out, bring your pipes and play a tune, or even part of a tune.

In other news, Jack Lee just won the piobaireachd event at the Glenfiddich Championship. Congratulations Jack. The results were as follows.

Piobaireachd

1st Jack Lee

2nd Iain Speirs

3rd Willie McCallum

4th Stuart Liddell

5th Callum Beaumont

MSR (twice over)

1st Willie McCallum

2nd Iain Speirs

3rd Stuart Liddell

4th Finlay Johnston

5th Gordon Walker

BCPA Annual General Meeting Nov 10, 2012

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:43:15 +0000

The BC Pipers' Association Annual General Meeting will be held in the afternoon before the Professional Piping Knockout competition on Saturday, November 10, 2012 in the Caber Feidh room (upstairs) of the Scottish Cultural Centre.

The Scottish Cultural Centre is located at 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver, BC. Registration will begin at 1:30 pm and the meeting will commence at 2:00 pm.

Please note that you must be a current (paid-up) member of the BCPA in order to have voting status at the meeting (Active, Life, Pipe Band, and Highland Games Association are the only types of membership with voting status). Visit the Membership page to renew or join in advance.

As a result of the Special General Meeting in late September to revise the BCPA bylaws, the agenda for the AGM is now as follows:

Reading of the minutes from the 2011 AGM
President's Report
Finance Report
Reports of all BCPA Committees
Dissolution of the current Board of Directors
Election of President (2 year term)
Election of Vice President (1 year term)
Election of First Slate of Directors (up to 5 for a 2 year term)
Election of Second Slate of Directors (up to 5 for a 1 year term)
New Business
Open Discussion

Your attendance is appreciated. Also, Active Members are requested to consider running for a position on the Board to bring their skills and knowledge to support and advance the work of the Association in promoting piping and drumming

Four Pipers From BCPA Region Sweep at Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:45:18 +0000

Congratulations to four talented amateur pipers from BCPA for winning the top 4 overall at the annual Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational in Albany, NY on October 6th.

Alexander Schiele won the overall with a first in Piobaireachd, first in MSR, and 5th in 6/8 marches.

Jamie Kubasiewicz placed 2nd overall with 2nd in the MSR and 2nd in Piobaireachd. Jamie has recenty relocated to Vancouver to attend Simon Fraser University. Joseph Stewart, last year's Nicol-Brown champion placed 3rd with a 1st in the 6/8 Marches and 3rd in the MSR, and Nicholas Theriault placed 4th overall with 3rds in the 6/8 Marches and the Piobareachd. Joe Stewart won Dress and Deportment. Complete results are available here>> Click images to view larger in a new window.

Back row: left: Joe Stewart, right: Jamie Kubasiewicz
Front row: 3rd from left: Alexander Schiele, 4th from left: Nicholas Theriault

Auditions for the Ceremonial Guard of the Canadian Forces

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 21:11:47 +0000

Audition application deadline is November 2nd for the Ceremonial Guard of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserves. Employment available April through August, education reimbursment and other benefits. Call 1-877-858-3205 or visit the Canadian Forces website, audition information at that link.

The Band of the Ceremonial Guard is part of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserves. It forms each year for the purpose of providing musical support for the world famous Changing the Guard ceremony on Parliament Hill - Ottawa. During this period the band is also tasked with supporting official functions held at Rideau Hall, foreign embassies, and other sites around the national capital region.

Band Promotions for the 2012/2013 Season

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:23:17 +0000

Colin MacKenzie, James P. Troy, and Scott Robertson were asked to serve on the seasonal band grading committee by the BCPA Board. The committee met on September 23rd and provided recommendations, approved by the Board of Directors, using the following information:

The 2012 season Band Performance Ratings Summaries compiled and provided by Andrew Bonar, Solo Grading Committee Chair,
The 2012 Grand Aggregate standings
The detailed results of the 2012 BCPA sanctioned band competitions from the Annual Gathering through to the Pacific Northwest Highland Games
The instructions and criteria provided to them in the invitations to be the Seasonal Band Grading Committee for the 2012 season:

In Memory of Genevieve Marie MacNeil August 7, 1923 - September 28, 2012

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:33:22 +0000

Genevieve Marie MacNeil passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of September 28 at the age of 89. Genevieve is predeceased by her husband Michael Angus. She will be lovingly remembered by her sister Rose, children Robert (Maureen), Deborah (Kelly), Donald (Linette) and Patrick and grandchildren Kerry, Dana, David, Shannon, James, Ewan and Arianna.

Genie encouraged BCPA President Robert MacNeil into bagpiping and pipe band, a move which he said "is one of the greatest things a parent could ever do for their children." Rob and his brothers Don and Pat played bagpipes and were joined by her grandchidren James, a side drummer, and David, also a piper.

Prayers will be said Tuesday, October 2, 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Richmond, with viewing at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, October 3, 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, Father David Poirier, Celebrant. Interment to follow at the Gardens of Gethsemani, 15800 - 32nd Avenue, Surrey. In lieu of flowers, donations in Genevieve's name to the Alzheimer Society of BC or one of the many Catholic Charities, will be gratefully acknowledged.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.kearneyfs.com
Kearney Funeral Services 604-736-0268

More information available at this link

In Memory of Mary Helen (Ella) Gallaher September 17, 1923- September 14, 2012

webmaster@bcpipers.org (Todd Schiele) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:12:03 +0000

Ella Gallaher, mother of Bob Gallaher (Kamloops Pipe Band) and Jack Gallaher (formerly of Triumph Street Pipe Band) passed away on September 14th.

Ella was the second dancer to be registered with the B.C. Highland Dancing Association at the age of 16, and competed for many years throughout Western Canada, the United States, and Scotland winning many Championships along the way.

Ella will be lovingly remembered by her three children Bob (Debbie), Jack, and Elaine (Larry); grandchildren Sheila, Rob, Greg, Ryan, Jeff, Angela and Aaron; great grandchildren Curan, Cooper, Mira, Daelan, Kale, and Brody, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Ella’s life will be held in the Chapel at Schoening’s Funeral Service, 513 Seymour Street, Kamloops B.C. on Saturday September 22, 2012 at 2:00 pm.

The family requests that any expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of B.C. 543 Battle Street Kamloops, BC
(250) 377-8200