BC pipers and drummers took some of the top prizes recently at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, the Northern Meeting in Inverness, one of the most prestigious competitions for solo pipers from around the world and the Oban/Argyllshire Gathering.

As reported earlier, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band drum corps won the World Pipe Band Championship top drumming prize on Saturday, August 13. Led by Lead Drummer Reid Maxwell, the corps was awarded the Cup and Drummer’s Sash for finishing first. It was Maxwell’s 6^th championship win, including five times with Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and once with the 78th Fraser Highlanders. The winning drum corps includes BCPA director and treasurer Cameron Reid.

The SFU Pipe Band placed sixth overall in the elite grade 1 band competition, with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band of Northern Ireland taking the RSPBA Jubilee Trophy and Pipe Major’s banner. BCPA Adjudicator James Beaumont of Penticton is a member of the FMM Pipe Band pipe corps.

Scottish Power Pipe Band with Port Coquitlam residents Dave and Shaunna Hilder, won third place overall in Grade 1.

At the Northern Meeting in Inverness this past week, Alastair Lee and Zephan Knichel both took prizes.  Alastair placed 2^nd in the A grade March, Strathspey & Reel (MSR) and won 4^th in the Gold Medal. Zephan won the B Grade Hornpipe & Jig and placed 4^th in the B Grade MSR.

At the Master’s Invitational, SFU Pipe Band Pipe Major Alan Bevan took 3rd in Piobaireachd. Alan also took 5th in the Open Jig, while Alistair Bevan came 3rd in the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd. Callum Bevan came 5th in Intermediate MSR with Cameron Bonar placing 4th in the same event.

Cameron continued his success at the Cowal Gathering, placing 1st. in Open Juvenile Piobaireachd, 1st in Open Juvenile Medley and 2nd Open Juvenile MSR

Additionally, Annalise Lam from Vancouver Island won the Gold Medal at the Junior World Highland Dancing Championship at the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon with Kate Bonar of Surrey placing 5^th.  

The success of these BC pipers, drummers and dancers shows the strength of the teaching organizations in British Columbia and the commitment by many to continue to stay on top of the competition world.