On April 11th, the prestigious Agnew-Harrison Invitational Drumming Competition returned to the John Weir Foote Armoury in Hamilton, hosted by the PPBSO Niagara-Hamilton Branch. The event once again brought together some of the finest drumming talent for a full day of exceptional competition. Founded in 1984 by Jim Stewart and Jimmy Agnew, the Agnew-Harrison Invitational was created to establish a premier snare drumming contest in Ontario. Originally named in honour of George

The Agnew-Harrison Drumming Invitational is all set for what promises to be a sensational contest this coming weekend! The day will consist of an amateur contest (Grades 1-5) in the morning and afternoon, followed by the professional contest in the evening. We hope to see you this Saturday at John Weir Foote VC Armoury, 200 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario. ​ Judges Reid Maxwell Chris Bell Craig Stewart Amateur contests start at 10:10 am and the professionals at 5:50

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.

All are welcome! - Please join us for a great evening of celebration, good music and fun in a relaxing atmosphere. You'll also hear performances from some of our Champion Supreme bands! The awards event will again be held at the lovely Scottish Rite location in Hamilton. Tickets this year have been reduced to $40.00 for adults and $20.00 for under 16's. The feedback last year was great so we have the return of the excellent Celtic band - Old Man Flanagan's Ghost to enterta

The 29 th Annual George Sherriff Memorial Invitational will held on on November 15 at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ontario. Come on out to the "Sherriff" and listen to these exceptional young musicians, you'll be supporting one of the premier amateur events of it's kind in the world. Schedule - Doors open 9:00 a.m. - 6/8 March will commence at 10 a.m. - Piobaireachd will commence at 12:30 p.m. (after a lunch break.) - Final March, Strathspey & Reel will take p