Introduction
The B.C. Pipers’ Association was fortunate indeed to have had among its membership the Piping Historian Carl Ian Walker. It is from his original work that this history page has been created. Carl passed away several years ago, but the association will continue to update their history started by his dedicated work to the BC Pipers’ Association.
Prior to the formation of the BC Pipers’ Association (BCPA) piping societies had briefly existed in Vancouver:
- The Pipers’ Society in 1905
- The Vancouver Pipers’ Society in 1921.
Neither appeared to last long or make much headway. Piping was otherwise largely in the hands of the several local pipe hands, dedicated performers and teachers, and was encouraged by the Vancouver St. Andrews & Caledonian Society, which held annual games.
With the exception of keeping this current, the content here comes from a document written by:
Carl lan Walker
Quick Menu
This Document
- The beginning of the BCPA
- The War Years
- Post World War II
- Knockouts
- History of Membership
- History of Meetings
History of the Annual Gathering and Mini Gatherings
- The Trophies of the Annual Gathering
- People of the Annual Gathering
- Judges of the Annual Gathering
- Venues of the Annual Gathering
- The Events of the Annual Gathering
- The History of the Mini Gatherings
The Beginning of the BCPA
The need for an organization to promote all aspects of the Great Highland Bagpipe was sorely felt by a handful of enthusiasts and on July 30, 1932 the inaugural meeting of the BCPA was held. At this meeting, held at the Vancouver Police Station, Rod MacLeod was elected as president. Some of the charter members were William Urquhart, William MacIndewar, John Paul, John Gillies, Allan MacNab, James Robertson, Ed Esson and William Bowes? Open and Amateur players, band members and teachers, – a real cross section of the local piping community.
Barely 3 1/2 months later, on Nov. 19, 1932, the 1st Annual Gathering (AG), grandiosely described as the “Grand Inaugural Highland Gathering and Bag Pipe Playing Competition” took place at the Elks Hall. Ten events, all solo piping, were held, entry fees were 25 cents per event, and admission to the hall was 50 cents. All competitors in Highland costume were admitted free, and a special prize was awarded to the best dressed competitor.
It is probable that our founding fathers considered the Association to be of province-wide significance, considering they described it “British Columbia”. On records is a 1940 letter from the Vancouver Island Pipers’ Society, which is described it as an affiliate of the BCPA. The letter was promoting the annual re-union of the B.C. Pipers. While it is not known how long this association lasted, by the 1960s the Vancouver Island Pipers’ Club flourished in Victoria, as an independent group.
On the programme of the 1932 AG is depicted a crest similar to our present one, with the Piper’s left side portrayed. The motto “Tog Orm Mo Phiob”(To shoulder my pipes) appeared on this early crest, likely inspired by Rod MacLeod. By 1933 our crest in its present form was adopted.
Initially the competitions were organized into Novice, Ladies, Under 16, 16 and Over and Open (or Professional). These categories were devised at a time when there were few female competitors and they were regarded as weaker players. By the 1950’s, when such Ladies as Isobel MacLean and Norma Nicholson had cleaned up in both the Ladies and the Amateur classes the inequality no longer existed, and the ladies class was discontinued In 1958 the Assn. re-organized the Amateur classes into Novice, Juvenile, Junior and Senior Amateur. This accommodated late starters, and enabled players to compete against their peers, irrespective of age. Finally in 1995 the classes were once again changed, into Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4, Grade 1 being the highest level.
Needless to say, the BCPA was dirt poor in the 1930’s. The depression had hit everybody, membership was not large, and the sources of revenue were scanty In fact, silver-tongued Rod MacLeod persuaded competitors to play for ribbons in the early years. By 1936 the Financial Report showing a bank balance of $102.90 was accepted with pleasure. As the Association got more affluent merchandise prizes were obtained for all events. By the 1970s Open Competitors received money prizes and Amateurs received medals. Now Open Players vie for trips to Scotland, slightly more generous than ribbons.
The War Years
By 1939 the activities of the BCPA continued, but the impending war evidently caused considerable concern to the members. While it is not known what action was planned by the Association, the minutes of Sept. 5, 1939 stated:
“The European situation was discussed at some length, but the meeting adjourned without any action being taken by the Association.”
From time to time accommodations to wartime conditions were necessary. An example appears in a letter sent to the members by the Secretary, William Urquhart:
“The Annual Gathering of the Association scheduled for December 12th (1941) and subsequently canceled on account of the blackout precautions will be held on Saturday, January 31st (1942) in the Elks Hall. On that date the Gathering will definitely be held commencing at 2:30 in the afternoon.”
Post WWII
The Association held a reception on Oct. 12, 1945 for the Pipe Band of the 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, which had returned from Europe. It must have been a good party, judging from the list of expenses.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Liquor | $60.00 |
| Printing & Adv | $4.50 |
| Permit | $2.00 |
| Secretary’s exp | $6.00 |
| Dinner | $85.25 |
| Total: | $157.75 |
As the attendance receipts amounted to only $70.00, a net loss of $87.75 was noted.
WW II had, in balance, a beneficial effect on the local piping community. While many fine players were taken out of circulation far the duration (Ed Esson, James Watt, Wm. Barrie, Ian Duncan, Ian Inkstert, Lillian Grant and Jim McMillan, to name a few) the level of piping markedly improved as a result of full-time practicing and regular courses offered in the Canadian and Imperial Armies. Upon demobilization these pipers made a vast contribution to the BCPA and to the pipe bands throughout the province. A new standard of competence was established
The economic realities of the Assn. are reflected in an amusing extract, taken from the Minutes of May 16, 1949.
“The secretary brought up the matter of paying the judges who acted at our last gathering. A motion was passed by James Horn (Andy Kirk) to pay the sum of $5 to Pipers and $2 to drumming judges. Speaking on the motion Edmund Esson and Donald MacDonald amended the motion to read, the same amount to be given to piping & drumming judges.”
1952 marked a significant milestone in the history of the BCPA. We organized a visit by the notables P-M William Ross and his young pupil, John Burgess, to judge at the AG. The event was made Possible through the dynamic leadership of Ed Esson, with the assistance of Donald MacLaren, an executive of the Trans Canada Air Lines, which provided flights. As well, the BCPA had become somewhat better fixed as a result of profits from the White Heather Concerts, which it had co-sponsored since 1948.
The Knock-Outs
1969 saw the institution of the Knock-Out competitions, one of the more popular activities of the BCPA. They consist of a series of Open players playing a medley of tunes, and being judged to advance to the next level or being eliminated from the competition. The playoffs between the finalists are held at the Annual Banquet.
The BCPA instigated a programme of Structured Learning Examinations in 1994. As sanctioned by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association this programme consists of tuition and examinations for Piping and drumming at the Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels. According to Robt. MacNeil, the programme Coordinator, to date many pipers and, many drummers have received Certificates at the various levels.
Membership in the BCPA
Possibly one of thorniest issues to confront the BCPA over the years has been the question of membership. Since the beginning only “exponents” of the Highland bagpipe were entitled to active (and voting) membership. A category of associate membership was reserved for non-playing enthusiasts and drummers. “Exponents” was always interpreted as Pipers, in any event, it was not until .—-. that Active membership was opened to pipe band drummers. Doubtless this caused some of the early members to turn in their graves.
The perennial argument concerning the entry of drummers in the Assn. is doubtless not unconnected with the proliferation of drumming events in the recent gatherings. Their entry gave validity to the BCPA dealing with the regulation of pipe band competitions following the demise of the Western Pipe Band Association.
Meetings
Monthly Meetings have been held throughout the life of the Assn, to plan its many activities. During the recent years, the elimination contests for the Knock-Outs have been a popular part of these meetings. As in other Associations Annual General Meetings are conducted to elect officer for the coming year. You can read archival minutes from meetings held between 1932 and 1969.
Other BCPA Activities
The BCPA has carried out a great variety of other activities since its inception: lectures, seminars, workshops, trio knock-out competitions, composition contests, visits to Victoria, and a trip to Scotland. However they have not continued on a regular basis until the present time. Our plate is very full as it is, with the Annual Gathering for Amateur and Open Piping, Drumming and Mini Band events, the Knock Out competitions for Open players, the Mini Gatherings for Amateurs, the Newsletter, an Annual Members Banquet, a Recital following the AG and the Structured Learning programme. These activities are organized by a relatively small number of enthusiasts, who are dedicated to promoting the Great Highland Bagpipe.
With the exception of keeping this current, the content here comes from a document written by:
Carl lan Walker