The skies threatened mayhem, but failed to fully deliver, as the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) Pipe Band were crowned North American champions at the 67th running of the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville Ontario on August 2, 2014.
In becoming what may be the youngest Pipe Major of a winning Grade 1 band at Maxville, Alex Gandy led his charges, which included his father, Bruce, to three 1st place marks in the medley, and a strong 2nd place finish in the MSR to claim the overall title. In what was clearly a “78th” type of day, the 78th Fraser Highlanders from Ontario finished 2nd overall, winning the MSR in the process. In 3rd place, despite winning the “best pipes” designation on the day, was the Toronto Police Pipe Band. Peel Regional Police rounded out the grade 1 field. Watching on proudly as her grandson and son-in-law marched off the field as champions was June Rollo, accompanied by uncle and brother-in-law, Jimmy Rollo and mother and wife, Beverley Gandy.
Watch for Toronto Police to hone their sound further at the Fergus Scottish Festival this coming weekend (August 8, 9 & 10) prior to departing for Glasgow, UK, where they will join the 78th Frasers, Peel Regional Police and the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) in challenging for a top spot at the World Championships. Good luck to all of you!
In the Grade 2 contest, local favourites Ottawa Police Pipe band took the top honours, taking 5 of a possible 8 first place scores in winning both the Medley and the MSR contest. Greater Midwest Pipe Band from Chicago, IL were 2nd, followed by the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band in 3rd. This is a well-deserved result for Ontario’s hardest working band! Congratulations!
As was expected, the Grade 3 contest was a closely fought battle, with some superb performances by a couple of U.S. based bands. The Dunedin Pipe Band from Florida boasted an incredible pipe section and ensemble sound in winning the contest, followed closely by the MacMillan pipe band from Maryland. Ontario Champion Supreme points leaders Paris/Port Dover rode a very solid performance to a 3rd place finish, followed in 4th by Pennsylvania’s Ulster Scottish, and the Toronto Police Pipe Band in 5th.
In another great contest, the Rob Roy Pipe Band from Kingston, Ontario outpointed St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band of New Jersey to take 1st in the Grade 4 March Medley contest, followed by Dunedin Pipe Band in 3rd, Arnprior McNab in 4th and Guelph in 5th. Spectators who were fortunate enough to watch this contest were treated to a fantastic event featuring 14 bands.
In the Grade 5 March Medley event, Hamilton Police Pipes & Drums put their big, robust sound to great use as they out-duelled their provincial rivals, the Pipes & Drums of Lindsay, who finished 2nd. Grand Celtic Pipe Band from Fergus finished in 3rd, followed by White Heather Pipes & Drums of Aurora, who managed their best result of the season in taking 4th, and Durham Regional Police in 5th.
Bruce Gandy was the professional piper of the day, with Derek Cooper taking the same title in drumming. Amateur piper and drummer of the day were Andrew Hutton and Aubree Caldwell, respectively.