Programme
The story so far for 2023….
Delta Police Pipe Band
The Delta Police Pipe Band was formed in 1971 by members of the Delta Police Department in the City of Delta, near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The original band consisted of 9 pipers and 6 drummers. Since its inception the band has grown to 50 members and is now one of the largest Police Pipe Bands in Canada. The band celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2021.
The founding principles of the band include honouring all fallen peace officers, community involvement, and representing the Delta Police Department and the City of Delta as ambassadors in all public performances locally, nationally, and on the International stage.
The band consists of 30 pipers and 20 drummers and is presently under the direction of Pipe Major Steve Ramsden, Drum Major Ron McMillan, and Drum Major Moe Coll. The Commanding Officer of the band is Delta Police Chief Constable Neil Dubord.
The band had the esteemed honour to perform on three occasions with Sir Paul McCartney in Vancouver B.C. accompanying him on the performance of Mull of Kintyre, once in 2013 and 2 shows in 2016. One of the You Tube videos of the 2013 performance with Sir Paul has received almost one million hits.
Other memorable events include performing for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at Vancouver, British Columbia in 1983 and again in 2011 at the Royal Windsor International Tattoo. The band also played for Prince Charles and Princess Diana at the 1986 opening of the Vancouver World Exposition.
Some of the other band performances over the years include the following international events.
1994 Edinburgh Military Tattoo
1997/2004 Nova Scotia Military Tattoo
2006 Virginia International Tattoo
2007/2015 Netherlands Military Tattoo
2009 Basel International Tattoo
2011 Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo
2013 Musik Parade, Germany 10 city tour.
2015 Netherlands Military Tattoo, Holland
2018 Basel International Tattoo
2018 Estes Park, Colorado Celtic Fest and Tattoo
The band has also travelled extensively to other destinations throughout North America, including Hawaii, California, Washington and Oregon in the United States and multiple locations across Canada.
Majesticks Drum Corp
Born in June 2011, Majesticks quickly made a name for itself by organising numerous shows which marked the beginning of an incredible evolution for the percussion group.
Indeed, in 2013, Majesticks had the chance to perform in the Avenches arena in front of the 20,000 spectators of the Avenches Tattoo.
The success of the show was overwhelming and the audience was fascinated, allowing the band to export their talents beyond national borders with performances in Germany, France, Malta, Russia, Liechtenstein and now into Northern Ireland.
Ballygowan Pipe Band
Ballygowan Pipe Band was formed in 1946 in the village of Ballygowan, just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland. They play the Brian Boru pipes which are derived from the great highland bagpipes – invented by Henry Starck.
Henry Starck Sr. was involved with William O’Duane of Dungannon (Northern Ireland) in the development and manufacture of a new type of bagpipe. These new pipes were originally advertised as the Dungannon pipes, the forerunner to the ‘Brian Boru’ pipes. They could be played on the march, had a complete chromatic scale, and were described as having been ‘revived from the ancient Irish bagpipe’ and being ‘the most perfect bagpipe made’.
There are various models of Brian Boru pipes available with several different key set ups however Ballygowan have opted for the 3 key version. They have a 3 drone setup consisting of a Bass, Tenor and Baritone which gives them a rich and fuller tenor tone. The overall sound from the Brian Boru Pipes will sound different to the great highland bagpipes which some describe as being a little flatter than what you may be used to.
There are only 6 Brian Boru pipe bands in existence who still perform today, and Ballygowan Pipe Band are extremely proud to continue the tradition of this unique and wonderful instrument and look forward to being the first Brian Boru pipe band to perform at the Belfast International Tattoo!
