The College of Piping Pipe Band


Purpose

The College of Piping Pipe Band acts as an extension and reinforcement of the lessons taught to the individual. Pipe Band members learn the practical application of theoretical instruction taught in the classroom. Membership in the band provides a unique opportunity for experiencing first hand the importance of a structured practice regimen, goal setting, time management and team spirit.

In the Picture:
Back row Left to right are Jeremy White, Jessica vanOuwerkerk, Nick vanOuwerkerk, Chris Rodgers, Stewart Rogers, Duncan Allison, Alli Walker, James Beaumont.  Front row Ashley LeClair, Courtney Fitzgerald, Erin Mundy, Ashley Brockway, Kara O'Halloran.  Missing from photo are Ben Schurman, Kristen O'Halloran, Matthew MaLaine, Spencer Pitre, Sean Pitre, Sam Ramsay, Nyall Savidant.

Organization

The College of Piping Pipe Band plays at a variety of festivals and events. The band undertakes its own fund raising initiatives in order to offset the expense of uniforms, travel, instruments and reeds. The band can be seen playing at weddings, funerals, concerts, parades and competitions. Members practice weekly in the Main Hall of The College. The band is comprised of local students, as well as visiting national and international students.

Playing in The College of Piping Pipe Band gives the student a further opportunity to experience the wonders of travel. Important personal growth lessons are learned from dealing with the highs and lows of victory and defeat. Perhaps most important is the opportunity to meet life-long friends while working towards a common goal of excellence.  Click here to view the Doug and Debbie Hall Scholarship.

In 2005, the Band took on new leadership under The Collge of Piping bagpiping instructor, James Beaumont and drumming instructor, Jeremy White.  Both James and Jeremy hope that with the talent and skill of the players in band they will be able to have very successful season's both now and in the future.

In the 2006 season, the band played at local funtions around Prince Edward Island and in competitions in Summerside, Halifax, Cape Breton, Fredericton, Pugwash, Antigonish, Montreal and the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario.  The College of Piping Pipe Band took first place in Grade 4 at the North American Championships and was advanced to a Grade 3 level. 

The COP Pipe Band is working hard to get ready for the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland in August of 2007.  Matthew MacLaine became The College piping instructor in September of 2006 and he and Jeremy White are leading the band with their dynamic talent and leadership styles. 

History

The College of Piping Pipe Band dates back to the Summerside Presbyterian Pipe Band which was founded in 1963 by Don Groom and the late Reverend Donald MacKay. The group disbanded in 1969 and re-formed in 1986 under the leadership of the Prince County Caledonia Club. Between 1986 and 1993 the band was called the Caledonia Pipe Band.

In 1993, with the pipe band under the auspices of The College of Piping, the band became known as The College of Piping Pipe Band. They went on to win the New England Pipe Band Championship, the Atlantic Canadian Pipe Band Championship and the Grade Three North American Pipe Band Championship in 1994 and 1995.