Biographical Info

Hal Senyk is a veteran piper and pipe major on the West Coast. Hal received his initial piping instruction in Montreal, then moved to Victoria in the early 1960’s. Having played for the Canadian Scottish Regiment until 1971, Hal then went to live in Scotland and played with the legendary Muirhead & Sons Pipe Band, 5 time World Champion Grade 1.

Over the next 20 years, Hal served as Pipe Major of the Triumph Street band for much of that time, as the newly formed band established itself as one of the premier Grade 1 bands in North America and the world. After Hal’s retirement from the band in the early 1990’s, he played with the Abbotsford and Maple Ridge (New Westminster Police) bands, and for the last 17 years has been one of the instructors with the White Spot (juvenile) band. He currently instructs the White Spot Grade 4 band.

Hal was also a successful solo competitor for many years, having won many professional prizes in light music and piobaireachd. He was the first Canadian to win a major prize in Scotland, winning the March competition in Inverness in 1972, helping to set the stage for more Canadians to make their mark on the Scottish piping scene.

Hal has been an active teacher and adjudicator for many years, and a director of the BCPA. He is also a senior adjudicator, and member of the adjudicators’ committee with the BC Pipers’ Association.

When not involved with piping, Hal is a lawyer in private practice.