< Back Prairie Community Youth Pipes and Drums Band officer: Ken Boath Pipe major: Dustin Wolfe Lead drummer: Catrina Esposito Contact: Email: prairiethistlepipeband@outlook.com Debbie WolfeCaille: (204) 782-6482 Catrina Esposito: (204) 880-8849 We are a Not-For Profit teaching band of all ages. With a small fee for practice equipment everything else is provided. After 36 years of serving in the cadet program from Army and Navy, Ken decided to retire and open a Pipes and Drums school in Winnipeg for the Army, Navy and Air cadets to train together. After five years the cadet program decided to opt out, and Ken opened up the Prairie Community Youth School for Pipes and Drums. This is how our program began. The program was initially for kids of the region to get free training in pipes and drums and we have since widedend the age range from ages 4 and up at a low cost to cover practice instruments. Lead drummer Experience: Catrina began drumming at the age of 16 with the Royal Canadian sea cadet corps Crusader #25. She worked with the 199 Air cadet Squadron and Navy Leauge of Selkirk brass and reed bands as band officer. She has played with grade 3 bands such as Winnipeg Celtic /Erin Street and QOCH. She attended and played in the Virginia Military International Tattoo 2018. She also attended Drumming workshops with Tyler Fry, and Jeremy White. She taught at Rocky Mountain cadet summer training center, played in honour band. She continues to compete in solo drumming competitions through out the year collecting, Gold and Silver medals. We strive to help strengthen the knowledge and growth of the Pipe Band community and have fun at the same time. Previous Next

< Back Transcona and District Pipe Band Practices are Thursdays nights at the Transcona Legion. Contact: Stewart at 204-795-2648 Facebook page Founded in 1965, the Transcona & District Pipe Band (originally, the City of Transcona Pipe Band) was a mainstay of community events and celebrations in the Park City for decades. Previous Next

< Back William (Bill) Ramsay Bill didn’t start lessons on the pipes until his mid-thirties. His tutor was his uncle, Douglas Will. Bill progressed, in spite of part of a missing middle finger from an accident in his youth. Bill eventually joined Uncle Doug’s band, the St. John’s Pipe Band and then moved on to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. There he met some key people who would make an impact on him for the rest of his life. Hume Young and Bob Fraser were two of them. (Bill and Bob Fraser’s lives would also become intertwined in their shared careers in the printing business.) Bill left the Cameron’s when it became a little too time-consuming for someone who had three active teens at home. St. John’s Pipe Band was not as demanding on his time, so he returned to them. Then the band became known as the ANAVETS 60 Pipes and Drums. To help their sound, Bill suggested they purchase new Warmac chanters. P/M Lyle Little was amazed at the improvement it made to the band, plus the setting of chanters became much easier. Uncle Doug had taken on the responsibility as band director of the Heather Belle Ladies Pipe Band, and he enlisted Bill to help him out. After many years working with boys in the Boy Scout movement, being involved with females was a whole new experience for Bill! He enjoyed being a part of this organization. His main contribution to the band was in setting chanters and tuning drones. He attended various courses and seminars to learn about setting up a pipe band, and became quite skilled at it. For 25 years, Bill experienced many trips and adventures with the girls. There were two trips to Scotland, numerous competitions and a number of tours to places like Florida. The band consistently won competitions in Manitoba. They also won some medals in Scotland. In 1985 at the World’s Pipe Band Competition they won the Rose Bowl for the best female band. Years later the Heather Belles put on a terrific anniversary banquet and Bill was there to help get their pipes in shape. When P/M Little had to step down as Pipe Major of the ANAVET band due to ill health, Bill was named to take his place. Over the next ten years, Bill worked with the band on their sound and repertoire. Then it seemed time to turn the reins to a younger piper, Kirby Haines. However, Kirby’s job moved him to the West coast, which pressed Bill back into service as pipe major once more! Bill also spent a great amount of time teaching. Following the methods of Doug Will, he worked with a great number of people, young and old. Many of his students joined the band and became very valuable members. Bill was very proud of the ANAVET Pipes and Drums. The camaraderie and good will that everyone experienced made it a pleasure to belong to the band. Over time, other bands have come and gone, but the ANAVETS continued to exist in harmony and were known to be friendly and easy to get along with. Some of the dearest friends he ever had were the members of ANAVETS. In 2004, Bill worked with Alf Mather to bring the band to the ANAVETS 303 Unit. The band has had a fulfilling experience being associated with Rockwood 303, and continues strong to this day. As Bill’s health declined, he turned the reins over to Ian Conn, but Bill continued to play with the band at concerts and helped with the training of new pipers. In 2011, his friend Ian passed away with cancer, and the memorial was well attended by Bill and many other members of ANAVETS #303 . Bill poured his energies and vast knowledge into the writing and compiling of a book called “Through the Mists of Time – ANAVETS Unit 303 Pipes and Drums”. This book not only documents the history of that band, but is also a treasure trove of information on many of Manitoba’s key players in piping and drumming. This book has been a valuable source in providing biography information for the PPBAM’s “Wall of Fame”. Full-time care for his dear wife Helen, followed by his own failing health has now made it impossible for Bill to come out to band events. He is held close in the hearts of his band mates, and visits to him find him as witty as ever. Information complied from Bill’s own words and some editing by Robyn & Janet McCombe.

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Other Associations BC Pipers Association Alberta Pipe Band Association Saskatchewan Pipe Band Association Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association Midwest Pipe Band Association EUSPBA WUSPBA Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Association

< Back William MacLeod It is a privilege and great honour to be able to stand here this afternoon to pay tribute to Bill. “Willie” as he was often referred to by friends, defined the word ‘gentleman’ and had a reputation for many acts of generosity and kindness. I find it poignant to recall that many years ago as a young boy, I regularly walked past the front of the old United Church that was on this site, carrying my bagpipes to practices at the school gym. Although I was not one of the original group of Bill’s students in the mid-1960’s, I was blessed to follow them shortly thereafter, becoming a very young playing member of Bill’s band in 1970 - when my bass drone was nearly as tall as I was. What followed thereafter was a near 40-year association between Bill, his family, and my family that transcended a simple teacher- student relationship in a local pipe band. He was a fatherly figure in those early days of my life that transformed over time into a friendship that lasted until the present day. Bill’s basement was a veritable assembly line for young pipers – his talent and dedication as a teacher churning out one good player after another, one generation to the next. Bill’s teaching skill was based upon a deep understanding of the highland bagpipe and its music. This knowledge was attained from the lessons of his father and renown pipers of the day such as William Ross that he studied under while in the Army. Bill was detailed and articulate and had fingers that could execute the most complex embellishments flawlessly. In those days, long before the invention of modern electronic tuners, Bill used his ear to set our chanters and tune our drones to perfection. When teaching his students, Bill was gentle, understanding, and patient. I recall many a time when the tip of his practice chanter would gently touch my fingers to point out a false note or false fingering. He focused on having us master the rudiments as a foundation for our future successes. Lessons from Bill were free – not a cent was charged and his only request was each students’ commitment to try their best. From time to time when his own duties around the house would back up, Bill would hire some of those same students – too young to work at the mill – to help him with such tasks as mowing the lawn or raking up the leaves. The list of students that I can recall is extensive with about two dozen quickly coming to mind. Knowing first-hand the effort involved in training a piper to be skilled enough to play the pipes in a competitive band; and how much work is involved in actually getting those individual students to play together as a group - I still wonder how he found the time to accomplish so much. In re-reading an old newspaper article titled “Pine Falls Pipers Win” it was clear that Bill had been immensely successful. In this one report, the combined winnings of Maureen, Allister, Jim, and Bill Rodger at three competitions over the course of two weekends was: 4 trophies, 11 gold medals, 20 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals. I was left wondering if there had been any trophies and medals left for any of the other competitors. Other pupils of Bill’s achieved similar distinction and it was these kind of results that very quickly put the Stirling Pipe Band on the map. Complimenting these, was the Band's record of awards, which was as distinct as any band in Canada at the time, and could not have happened without the expert tuition of Bill. In addition to the pipe corps, an equally large number of young kids who were drummers were influenced by Bill’s leadership. Although taught by John Bulmer and Jim Barry in Winnipeg, Bill was not averse to helping out, including driving some of this group into Winnipeg for lessons on Saturday mornings. Jeff Berthelette recalled that Bill would always make sure to stop at MacDonald’s for the kids – his kids in so many ways - to get a burger and hot apple pie before setting course back to Pine Falls. I experienced this myself several years later when Bill would regularly drive us into Winnipeg to participate in the Winnipeg Massed Pipes and Drums. And if setting up a young Band in Pine Falls was not enough, Bill was also the Pipe Major of the Massed Band and thus responsible for an even larger group. It was with the Massed Band, that we were able to perform at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena twice – becoming the first band outside the USA to lead the parade on their second visit, and to perform in the Silver Broom ceremonies in Switzerland and Norway. And getting back to apple pie for just a moment, if Bill had a weakness, it was ‘apple pie’. He loved apple pie. There was a story passed along to me about Bill being on a diet at one point and indulging in a piece of apple pie at a café in Fort Qu’Appelle. Time precludes me from going into the details...but the upshot of the story was a little tune that was being composed at the time was cheekily titled, “Don’t Tell Mary” by one of his fellow teachers – Jim McWilliams, I believe. In a town whose population was less than one thousand, Bill had created a Band that became a worthwhile and rewarding activity for many of the kids and went on to bring recognition to Pine Falls across North America and Europe that continues to this day. Bill was proud of his band from the very first moment it stepped onto the field to compete regardless of the result. Originally outfitted in whatever kilts and uniforms that could be cobbled together he worked with the other parents on the Executive to raise the funds required to outfit the band in a standard uniform with MacLeod tartan kilts. He continually strived to have the band’s dress and deportment be top notch, much to our chagrin at times, because he firmly believed that to the average person unfamiliar with pipe bands, 75% of their impression was formed by what they saw and 25% on what they heard. Bill’s wartime friendship with the legendary Donald MacLeod of the Seaforth Highlanders dated back to their attendance at the Army School of Piping in Edinburgh Castle. Bill organized “Wee Donald’s” participation as a Guest Instructor at Fort Qu’Appelle numerous times thereby exposing young pipers across the Prairies to “MacLeod and MacLeod” ... which without a doubt in my mind would have been the highest calibre piping tuition available anywhere in the world...then and now. Bill continued to teach students in the Pine Falls area well past his 90th birthday. He had reached a point where the physical playing of the pipes was too difficult, but his mind was sharp, his fingering clean, and he continued on with the practice chanter. Myles Wilcott, and most recently his younger brother Kale were two of his latest pupils. And, following in the steps of other students before them, they have been very successful in their endeavours. Myles recalled Bill’s occasional tendency to fall asleep while he we would play Piobaireachd for him – if you can imagine the difficulty in falling asleep 7 or 8 feet away from a set of bagpipes you must know that Bill was enjoying yet another one of his students performances. Today there are at least 10 of his former students who are still actively playing in pipe bands across Canada - perpetuating Bill’s legacy each time they pick up their instrument. Many of the other students Bill taught each summer at piping schools at Fort Qu’Appelle and the International Peace Gardens continue to perform as well. And, incidentally, Bill organized and ran both of those summer schools for many years. As an example of Bill’s influence beyond the borders of this town, both Lauchlan and Colin McWilliams from Moose Jaw, the latter who plays with the world championship SFU band, took up piping after their father Jim took them on a trip to Pine Falls to visit Bill. Maybe Bill’s greatest virtue was patience....which is something he had in spades. Bill would never ever get angry when we invariably made our mistakes. If people were messing up, not a word was said. Even if a student would suggest that they perhaps should sit out of a competition, Bill would have nothing of such thoughts. The standard answer was, “No. We need you‟. What wonders he could do for ones self-confidence. There were many humorous times as well. Bill was always willing to tell a light-hearted story or joke, often at his own expense, and enjoyed a good laugh. Anytime a piping related cartoon or joke showed up, he would pull it out at the start of chanter practice and have a good chuckle. Bill was a prolific writer of bagpipe music as well. In recent years I occasionally provided him with assistance in transposing his handwritten compositions using various computer programs so he could have some quality copies. I can attest that his compositions – all named for family, friends, and memorable events – are second to none. His talent in this area goes widely unrecognized even though Bill has had many tunes published in both Canada and Overseas. Notably, several of his tunes are in the Gordon Highlanders Book 2. Bill continued to compose tunes even after he had to move to Winnipeg for care - his most recent, and possibly his final composition, was a short 2/4 titled “Willies New Digs”. In a time when he had every reason to feel “down” he found within himself a silver lining and composed yet another tune. In addition to his skills in composing and teaching written pipe music, Bill had been taught the Canntarieachd – the ancient Scottish system for the oral teaching of the classical music of bagpipes – the Piobaireachd. He is the only individual I have ever met who was fluent in the Canntarieachd. Today, we light- heartedly refer to those vocalized instructions as the ‘heedrums hodrums’ but regardless of name, I have several recollections of Bill stopping a lesson and singing in this old Gaelic vernacular what we were supposed to be playing. I didn’t realize it at the time but I had been exposed to a piece of old Scottish culture that only a small number of people in our part of the world were fluent in. My formal association with the Band ended when I moved to start my career. Since then I have met many pipers and drummers around the world and am continually amazed by Bill’s wide spread reputation. When discussing my piping background there have been numerous occasions when I have seen an immediate elevation in peoples assessment of my skills simply because I was taught by Bill...without ever hearing me play a note. Bill’s skills were immensely respected and anyone who had the good fortune to have received his tutelage was lucky indeed. There were many other aspects of his life that I had small insights into. I know he helped form a Girl’s Drum and Bugle Band in Pine Falls in the 1950’s – yet another endeavour which contributed to the town’s children. I know that he was an avid fisherman and hunter and was instrumental in building the Trap Shoot range – yet again contributing to the community; I know that he was recently honoured for having been in the Mason’s for 60 years; and I know just a bit about his military service. He served the duration of the War enlisting in 1939 with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada; was Pipe Major for a number of those years; was “Mentioned In Dispatches” for a commendable act; and as a member of the Regiment fought for the liberation of Holland. In 1979, Bill was presented a Good Citizenship Award by the Honorable Bud Jobin, Lt. Govenor of Manitoba for his remarkable work within the community. Family and friends were on-hand at Government House to witness the award and to congratulate Bill. I can‟t think of anyone more deserving. As I close, I am reminded of a saying from the Scottish author and poet Neil Munro: “...To the make of a piper go seven years of his own learning, and seven generations before... At the end of seven years, he will stand at the start of knowledge... and leaning a fond ear to the drone, he may have parley with old folks of old affairs...” Translated roughly this means that those pipers who put forth the effort will, poetically, be able to communicate with older generations as they attain a broader enlightenment of life through their pursuit of playing the bagpipes. Although the seven years of learning was up to us as individuals, Bill took the time and effort to ensure we did attain that high level of knowledge and competence on the pipes and without doubt, he was our link to those past generations. His lessons extended far beyond piping. He taught us to be better individuals and to be better citizens in our community. I would never dare to compare my piping skills as being anything close to Bill’s but he imparted enough upon me that in latter years, when I became an adult, we talked as equals. That was his style ... and as the saying went...I was able to ‘have parley with old folks of old affairs’. When I last had a chance to meet with Bill this past April we talked about the real meaning of piping – having fun, enjoying it as a hobby – but never losing sight of other more important commitments – families, careers, and friendships. Referring to the Band and every individual member, he said, “You know Hugh, we did something good with that Band” and then expressed how lucky he felt to have met so many fine people and thanked me personally. I found it ironic that the person that had touched so many people, had given such a large portion of his personal life to us, would be thanking us. The shoe most certainly belongs on the other foot – with people like myself and my family thanking him for his efforts. Today I do that one final time. I was fortunate to have met Bill, to have received tuition from Bill, and to have had him as a friend. I will miss him but will strive in my life to maintain his legacy by emulating those qualities of his that I so admired. May God bless Bill, and the family and friends he loved.

< Back Marlene Stephen Marlene was a dedicated and passionate teacher. She held a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Music Education. Over her 41-year teaching career, she taught math and then band with both the Winnipeg and Louis Riel School Divisions. Even after retiring, Marlene fondly kept track of the lives and successes of many former students. Marlene was involved in the Scottish community all her life. She began playing the bagpipes as a young girl. She was a proud member of the Heather-Belle Ladies' Pipe Band for 39 years and served as the Pipe Major of the band for 21 of those years. Marlene's involvement continued through organizing competitions and judging young pipers. Her commitment to music and her Scottish heritage are further evident in the various groups, organizations and events that were important to Marlene, including: the Winnipeg Scottish Festival, Bands on the Boardwalk Highland Games, Prairie Pipe Band Association of Manitoba where she served as the President, Rainbow Stage, Tempo Music Conference, International Music Camp, Manitoba Music Educators' Association and Manitoba Highland Dancing Association, where she served as President from 1992–1995. Marlene was a visionary who worked tirelessly for these many groups. She was famous for dreaming big, but making things happen. She made connections wherever she went, leaving lasting fingerprints on the lives she touched. Family was extremely important to Marlene. She was a loving and devoted mother to Marnie (Richard) and happily, got to know her granddaughter Fiona. She would have loved to know Callum. She was daughter to Margaret and Jack, and sister to Nancy, David, and Lynn. This reflects two generations of Stephens actively involved in the Scottish community. Sadly Marlene’s life was shortened by cancer January 19, 2009 at the age of 61. Submission compiled from Marlene’s obituary and excerpts from “The Who’s Who in Highland Dance in Manitoba”, edited by Janet McCombe.

< Back Thomas Thompson PIPE MAJOR THOMAS THOMPSON (Tommy) 1931-2000 P/M Thompson was born in 1931 in Overtown, Lanacshire, Scotland. Later, he moved to Newmains (down the road) a town close to Glasgow. It was here he was introduced to the bagpipes at the age of 9 years, and from that time on according to siblings and later his wife Janette, he was never without the chanter in his mouth. He was born for the bagpipes. His first band was the Law Pipe Band which he joined as a junior piper. It was not too many years later he moved up to the Shotts and Dykhead Colliery Pipe Band as a senior piper. Tommy enlisted in the army with the Royal Scots and went to Korea as a piper and “kilted runner” from 1951 to 1953 and was with the band in Korea when it stunned the American army base by marching over a hill playing Scotland the Brave to “help” the “Yanks” celebrate Robbie Burns. Tommy saw action and sustained a slight wound to his throat. On returning from his tour of duty he was selected to be the “Solitary Piper” on the parapet at Edinburgh Castle for the Edinburgh Tattoo, a singular honour. On his return to Scotland he once again re-joined Shotts and also worked for the Ford Motor Company and became their foreman in their autobody department. It was during this time that the Shotts band, under the direction of PM Tom McAllister, won the World Championship of piping 4 years in a row from 1957 to 1960. Tommy, according to PM McAllister, was the only piper to never be cut at any time during his years with the band, an amazing confirmation of his piping abilities! In 1967 Tommy and his bride Janette immigrated to Canada and “ended up” in Winnipeg. The “wee mahn”, as he was affectionately known, started the Centennial Pipe Band in 1969 and was the Pipe Major. They competed as a Grade 1 band with such notables as Ian Conn, Sandy Cherry, and Jim Barrie playing. They won the CNE in Toronto and stirred the competition blood not only in Winnipeg but in Western Canada as well with that victory. He took over as Pipe Major of the Selkirk and District Pipe Band in Selkirk for a few years as well as combining the Stirling Pipe Band of Pine Falls and Centennial Pipe Band into a powerful band called StirlingCentennial that was a dominant force in Manitoba and Saskatchewan for a number of years. PM Thompson, along with PM William MacLeod and others in Saskatchewan started the Prairie Pipe Band Assoc. to standardize the competitions across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and the Assoc. is still in existence in Manitoba today. If that were not enough, he and PM MacLeod and PM Jim McWilliams from Moose Jaw, started the Qu’Appelle Piping School under the umbrella of the Saskatchewan School of the Performing Arts. It was tremendously successful and brought in instructors from Scotland with PM Donald MacLeod being probably the most notable. Ever the teacher, Tommy also taught piping at the piping school at the International Peace Garden Music Camp and he was a fixture for 25 years. It was another chance for youngsters to be introduced to the wonderful world of piping and drumming. In 1990 the Stirling-Centennial Band dissolved and Tommy took most of the junior pipers and drummers and formed the Glenaura Pipes and Drums. The band name was suggested by his wife, Janette. The band competed across western Canada, B.C., Minnesota and Ontario as well as parades in countless towns and cities in Manitoba. An annual Xmas concert was held at a church in Winnipeg to large audiences and the annual Robbie Burns Dinner is still a mainstay of the band. Tommy was PM until 1999 when he became too ill from cancer to continue running the band. He passed the torch to PM Leigh Ward, a skilled piper, for whom he had great respect. The band in its 25 years of existence has moved between Grade 4 and Grade 3 and continues on the path that PM Tommy initially set out. PM Thompson left this world March 29, 2000. His talents, skills, personality and loyalty to the piping world are dearly missed.

Previous Back Next Special General Meeting Registration Forms Band Event Registration Form Solo Event Registration Form Order of Play Location: 303 Rockwood ANAVETS Date: Time: Address: February 22, 2026 2:00PM 341 Wilton St, Winnipeg, MB R3M 1X3, Canada To Review changes to the Constitution. See Below Previous Next

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< Back Glenaura Pipes and Drums Contact info coming soon The Glenaura Pipes and Drums The Glenaura Pipes & Drums were founded in October of 1990. Pipe Major Bill MacLeod and Pipe Major Tommy Thompson were the founders of the band. Pipe Major MacLeod had a long and distinguished career of piping and teaching in Manitoba. Pipe Major Thompson was a member of the storied Shotts & Dykehead Band in Scotland and also a leader of top flight bands in Canada. The band was comprised of many young pipers and drummers in the beginning, but under the leadership of the Pipe Majors the band moved from Grade 4 to Grade 3 and finally to Grade 2 in five years. Mr. MacLeod became Pipe Major Emeritus in 1994, with Pipe Major Thompson becoming the active leader and setting the musical direction of the band. Over the next number of years, the band competed in Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Minnesota. The band has won many awards at numerous competitions, including taking top honours in Grade 2 at The Calgary and Canmore Highland Games. In 2001, Pipe Major Leigh Ward stepped up to the leadership position as Pipe Major Thompson had become quite ill. Shortly thereafter, Pipe Major Thompson passed away. The band was most honoured to play at his funeral. Pipe Major Leigh Ward continues as our Pipe Major to this present day. The band currently plays in competitions, concerts, parades and performances. For more information about the band, check the website: www.glenaura.ca Information compiled from the Glenaura Band website. Previous Next

< Back Transcona and District Pipe Band Practices are Thursdays nights at the Transcona Legion. Contact: Stewart at 204-795-2648 Facebook page Founded in 1965, the Transcona & District Pipe Band (originally, the City of Transcona Pipe Band) was a mainstay of community events and celebrations in the Park City for decades. Previous Next