- Report by Brad Davidson, Vice President PPBSO A piobaireachd workshop was held in the Sergeants’ Mess of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton, Ontario on Sunday May 10, the day after The Livingstone Memorial Invitational Piping Competition. As someone who has received piobaireachd instruction over many years starting with P/M Donald MacLeod and his protégé, Garth Neel, to Colin Maclellan, Ed Neigh, Willie Connell, and finally John Cairns, I can attest to the valu

A great day of piping was had on Saturday at the 48th Livingstone Invitational held at the iconic officers mess of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Canada in Hamilton, Ontario. 2026 Overall winner Sean McKeown being presented his trophy and banner by Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society, Malkie Bow, President of the PPBSO and Brittany Wright, President of the Niagara-Hamilton Branch of the PPBSO. The day was a roaring success with the morning seeing the co

With an all-star line up of players and a cracking panel of judges this coming Saturday's Livingstone promises to be a great day of piping. This years MC is our very own Bob Worrall. The days schedule, order of play and online tickets available HERE. (last chance to get online tickets for $20 is Wednesday. Tickets are $25 at the door.) With thanks to our major sponsors: Lillian Livingstone The Piobaireachd Society PPBSO PPBSO Niagara-Hamilton Branch

Special Master Class Piobaireachd Workshop May 10 in Hamilton The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) is pleased to announce a special Master Class Piobaireachd Workshop to be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the historic John Foote Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario. This unique educational event will take place in the storied band room of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums, offering participants a rare opportunity to l

Based on comments from competitors about the lack of detailed feedback on scoresheets, the music committee was asked to consider if there was a better, more detailed way of giving feedback to competitors. Often the only feedback given was the ticking of a box. It should also be noted that the judges score sheets in use today have not changed much in over twenty years. In reviewing the current PPBSO solo score sheets, the music committee opted to remove the quadrant tick box

Ten sanctioned highland games competitions are scheduled for the Ontario 2026 Summer season, kicking off with the Hamilton Highland Gathering on Saturday June 6th. Hamilton is a unique urban backdrop and allows bands and soloists to get the early cobwebs out under a more relaxed setting. This competition is limited to ten grade 3, 4 & 5 bands. Georgetown promises to be another great day of competition and we are again expecting high solo and band entries this year. Kingsville

Any pipers and drummers looking for something to do at the March break? - look no further! Here's an opportunity to sharpen your skills and kick off March Break by joining the one-day youth piping and drumming workshop on Saturday, March 14, 2026 . The workshop, which is being sponsored by the Niagara-Hamilton Branch of the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) in partnership with the Ontario Youth Pipe Band, will take place at the Scottish Rite, located at 4 Queen

Isn’t the Winter supposed to be piping & drumming’s quiet season? Not in Ontario - our branches are currently bustling with indoor activities and with further plans to keep us busy right through until the Spring. Meanwhile, bands are busy getting their repertoire ready for a new season that will be upon us before you know it. Board & Committee Activity Let’s start this update with what’s going on behind the scenes with your Board of Directors and the various committees. At o

Any PPBSO solo competitor or band wishing to apply for re-grading must use the designated form. Requests must be submitted by the following deadlines: April 13th for solo competitors March 31st for bands For more details check out the forms page HERE .

Remember to renew your membership by January 15th and avoid the surcharge. MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR 2026 Adults (16 years and over) Your membership fee for 2026 is due, starting January 1st. This can be paid online (renewing members only), money order, cheque, or credit card (Visa/MasterCard). This year, dues have been set at $65.00 (+$8.45 HST). Please observe that a monthly late-payment surcharge of $5.65 (.65¢ HST included) will be assessed. The following schedule details the

Please consider coming out to support your branch by competing or coming out to listen. Round 3 of the Ottawa branch knockouts is coming up on January 10th at the Junior Ranks Mess, 4 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa. Registration is open until January 7th. For more details go HERE Round two of the Toronto Branch knockouts is coming up on January 10th at the great new venue of the Peel Police Centre, 7150 Mississauga Road in Mississauga. Registration is open until January 7t

Check out our Volunteer page HERE

Thanks to everyone that came out to the AGM today. President, Malkie Bow, thanked the many people that help make the Society work so well and also for the efforts and dedication of all members during 2025. He also outlined some of the accomplishments for this past year and the priorities for the coming year. The number one priority for the Pipers' and Pipe Band Society of Ontario Board of Directors going forward remains, the support of initiatives and programs that emphasize

Click on logo for branch report The PPBSO Board of Directors welcomes Rob McGregor as the new President of the Toronto Branch and as a result of this election at the branch AGM on Saturday, Rob also becomes a director on the PPBSO board. Rob McGregor Alexander Brown remains the Vice-President and Elaine Smith as treasurer. Click on the logo for a full report.

Click on logo for report

For those that made it out to our annual gala to support our champion supreme winners, a big thank you! For the winners , thank you and congratulations again! Guelph PB performs An evening of music, camaraderie and celebration started off with some selections from London Firefighters PB (Grade 5 Champion Supreme Winners) and then a combined Guelph Grade 3 PB and Guelph Grade 2 PB (both Champion Supreme winners in their respective grades). Just before the champion supreme awa

George Sherriff Memorial Invitational 2025 Competitors and Judges The George Sherriff Memorial Invitational was held at the iconic St Paul's Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ontario and what a wonderful day of great piping it was! Judging this top amateur event this year was: Chris Armstrong, Matt MacIsaac and Sean McKeown and the Master of Ceremonies was Peter Aumonier. Congratulations to the overall winner Abby Long of Houston, Texas and all the competitors. OVERALL WINNER

The 2025 AGM will be held via zoom on Saturday 6th December starting at 10:00 am. Notices have gone out to all members. If you did not receive a notice please let Sharon know at admin@ppbso.org to update your information. All information about the AGM, including the agenda and link, is available HERE . As per our by-laws, for electronic voting, each member must be signed-in individually.