Pipes and Drums

Regimental Pipes and Drums are musical bands within the Canadian Forces, consisting of musicians trained to play bagpipes and drums.

Types of Bands

There are two types of bands; authorized and volunteer. During the 1990s, major cuts to the establishment of authorized bands led to a situation in which many bands became a hybrid of authorized (paid) musicians and volunteers, though in reality most Reserve Force bands have always operated that way.

Musicians

The Canadian Forces recognizes Musician as a trade (Military Occupation Code: 871) and pipe band musicians must choose to specialize as either a piper or a drummer. Musicians undergo the same career progression as other soldiers, at least initially, with the completion of BMQ, SQ and the initial trades training.

Instruments

Canadian Forces pipe bands generally consists of a pipe corps, playing the Great Highland Bagpipe, and a drum corps, with snare (or "side") drums, tenor drums, and at least one bass drum.

Drums are permitted to be "emblazoned" with regimental battle honours, painted or applied in decal form on decorative scrolls, with other regimental devices as appropriate.

Organization

Military pipe bands come under the direction of the Pipe Major, a position held by a senior NCO or Warrant Officer (or equivalent if held by a civilian appointee). The Pipe Major is responsible for training the pipe corps and overall administration of the band, in conjunction with the Band Officer usually appointed by the band's affiliated branch, base, regiment, or unit.

The Drum Major, where so appointed, is also a senior NCO or Warrant Officer (or equivalent if held by a civilian appointee) who is responsible for administration, drill and discipline.

The Pipe Sergeant and Drum Sergeant act as supervisors for the pipe and drum corps respectively and help train the band.

Uniforms

CF bands dress according to the traditions of their affiliated regiments/branch.

Current CF Pipe Bands

Membership requirements for CF Pipe Bands vary from band to band; most are willing to accept civilian volunteers. For accurate info, contact the band directly. Bands listed as "authorized" indicate bands recruiting for paid positions to go to trained soldiers.

Reserve Force - Authorized

(From west to east)

• Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (Vancouver)
• Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) (Victoria)
• Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Calgary Highlanders (Calgary)
  • Pipe Major: Mr. Mike Giles
  • Drum Major: Mr. Jim Stewart'
  • Contact Information: Thu night practice 1900 at Mewata Armouries
• Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada (Winnipeg)
• Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's) (Hamilton)
• Regimental Pipes and Drums of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada (Montreal)

Reserve Force - Volunteer

• Volunteer Pipes and Drums of 33 Field Engineer Squadron (Calgary)

Employment

CF Pipe Bands provide a variety of functions, from dedicated musical support to local military parades, to entertainment at regimental events, to civilian events such as musical competitions (ie Highland Games and Gatherings), school graduations, and other social activities. Pipers are also permitted to play at solo events such as weddings and funerals and may receive private remuneration.

Depending on the unit, paid pipe band musicians in some authorized bands also perform military functions in the field dependent on their training, including such functions as casualty evacuation, rifleman, driver, signaller, storesman or other duties as assigned.