A record crowd estimated at 25,000 at yesterday's Glengarry Highland Games, Maxville, Ontario were treated to a historic rendition of Alex Duthart's iconic drum fanfare composition, "Salute to Max Rayne". Led by his son, Drew Duthart, lead drummer of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, almost 60 drummers: 40 snares, 10 bass and 9 tenors stepped from the depths of the huge massed group of almost 50 bands of piper and drummers and performed the piece in style at the closing ceremonies of the 75th annual games.
At the conclusion of the performance the huge crowd enthusiastically rose to their feet in heartfelt appreciation.
The Pipers' & Pipe Band Society of Ontario thanks Drew Duthart for leading this performance and, as importantly, this initiative, one that sprang from the Education Committee of the PPBSO: it's aim: to ensure pipe band drumming reaches as many people as possible all with the hope of engaging new drummers.
Full solo and band results from the North American Championships at Maxville, Ontario will be available here shortly.