To provide a vehicle for the enjoyment, advancement, and appreciation of traditional Scottish heritage and culture by promoting musical education of the great highland bagpipe and drums while supporting pipe band competitions, cultural events, and community festivals by means of performance.
In the Spring of 1973, several graduates of the Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band approached Pipe Major Robert Fraser, founder of the Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band, and asked if he would be interested in starting up a senior band. The St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg was approached as a possible sponsor and immediately approved of the plan. The Band adopted the Earl of St. Andrews tartan, and held its first practice on November 15, 1973.
The Band regularly performed at various town parades and St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg functions, as well as at several White Heather Concerts, and on stage with such notable entertainers as Andy Stewart, Kenneth McKellar, Helen McArthur, Ron Dale, and the Alexander Brothers. Other noteable appearances include concerts with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the World Curling Championships, the Royal Visit of 1984, and the Opening Ceremonies of the 1999 Pan American Games.
The Band maintained its mandate of entertainment for many years, but in the late 1980's altered its course to include competition. In 1992, the Band played at the World Pipe Band Championships, the Cowal Games, and the Crieff Games in Scotland, where they quickly learned a lot more was needed to play at the international level. Locally, however, the Band continued to take off at the Grade 3 level with competitions in Winnipeg, Moose Jaw, and Saskatoon.
Pipe Major Bob Stankey took over operations of the Band while Pipe Major Fraser continued with the tone quality and the music selection. The name of the SASPB soon became a household one, with its clear and concise sets, and innovative medleys. With the change to Sinclair chanters, the Band's sound continued to improve, as did their success abroad, placing in the prizes at contests in both Canmore, and Calgary in 1997. By this time, the Band was winning consistently at the local contests, and had earned themselves the title of Manitoba Champion Supreme by 2000. They have won it every year since.
In 2001, 2002, and 2003 the Band competed at the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario and the Montreal Highland Games, in Quebec. Their only placing was first prize in the medley contest at Montreal in 2002.
The fall of 2003 was a turning point for the band as both Pipe Majors Fraser and Stankey retired. The band sought leadership from Pipe Major Wes Sheppard, formerly of Kenora Scottish and the 78th Fraser Highlanders. By August of 2005 Pipe Major Sheppard, along with long time Drum Sergeant Bob Cooper, decided it was time to return with the St. Andrew's Society Pipe Band to the Grade 3 circle in Maxville. There the Band was awarded the Best Pipe Corps, the Best Bass Section, and the Best Drum Corps, clinching the Grade 3 North American Championship.
The fall of 2005 saw the band make its move to Grade 2. Along with some changes in the music, Drum Sergeant Bob Cooper stepped down from his position and handed the reigns of the drum corp to former Grade 1 World Champion Roland “Rolly” Reid (SFU, 78th Toronto). The band stormed into Grade 2 in 2006, shocking everyone again in Maxville by placing 3rd at the North Americans their first year in the grade. St. Andrew's Grade 2 will also get to place its name on the PPBAM Grade 2 Champion Supreme trophy for the first time in history.
During the winter of 2006 the band also performed its 2nd annual concert entitled “Cantabile” at MBCI's Jubilee Place theatre. The concert was a near sellout and an unprecedented success for the organization. This year's concert entitled, “Road to Glory” was held January 20th, at Jubilee Place once again. Check back for information on NEXT year's concert, promising to be bigger and better than ever before!
A new season is in front of the Band, and all are looking forward to another shot at the North American title. The band plans to travel to Scotland in 2008 to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships. To find out how you can help the band, or join in the travel fun, please see our Support page for more information.
In 2004 the organization realized a need for a competitive Grade 4 adult pipe band, not only as a stepping stone to the larger Grade 2 band, but as somewhere for Grade 2 players to cool their feet if they needed some time off. In the fall, the St. Andrew's Grade 4 Pipe Band was created under the leadership of Pipe Major Kirby McRae and Drum Sergeant James Hoel. The band competed in its first contest at the Winnipeg Scottish Festival in February of 2005.
In the fall of 2005 Drum Sergeant James Hoel turned the corp over to fellow Grade 2 member Sean Johnston, who remains as the Drum Sergeant to this day.
During the 2006 competition season the Grade 4 band tasted some serious success, winning several local contests. The Band's season came to a climax, winning the Prairie Pipe Band Association's Grade 4 Champion Supreme award.
The Band has grown dramatically this past year, with several new faces in both the pipe and drum corps. The band will be performing again this year in the, “Road to Glory” concert, which will be a wonderful opportunity to see this successful young group in action.
- Undefeated in 2005
- Promoted to Grade 2 for 2006
- 2006 PPBAM Champion Supreme Winners - Grade 2 and Grade 4
| Pipers | Drummers | Mid-Section |
|---|---|---|
| Wes Sheppard*** | Roland Reid** | Andrea Reid |
| Alan Ford | Cam Fidler | Chris Brown* |
| Alex Hoplock | Dave Bihun | Danny Hoplock |
| Cam Ballantyne | Rob Gardner | Geordie Stankey |
| Chris Milne | Tim Newton | |
| Christian Hryniw | ||
| Clarke Stockton | ||
| Dean Ross | ||
| Gale Russel | ||
| Heather Wiens | ||
| Jamie Simpson | ||
| Jane Ross | ||
| Paul Mundt | ||
| Phil Schneider | ||
| Ryan Cadotte | ||
| Scott Fidler | ||
| Scott Foster | ||
| Shelley Penziwol |
| Pipers | Drummers | Mid-Section |
|---|---|---|
| Kirby McRae*** | Sean Johnston** | Dave Chorney |
| Carl Heaman-Warne | Austin Hay | Katie Davidson |
| Christopher McCombe | Ian Walker | Rob Fulton* |
| Crystal Hay | Jessica Baschuk | |
| Dan Sloan | Jessica Locke | |
| Dave Watson | ||
| Gail Sheppard | ||
| Kyla Johnston | ||
| Liam Speirs | ||
| Mark Jorgensen | ||
| Scott Webster | ||
| Shaun Campbell | ||
| Warren Olson |
Copyright © 2008 - St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg Pipe Band. All rights reserved.
