Registration and Events Competition Registration Membership Application Scholarship Application Adjudicator Application Band Roster - 2026 PPBAM Membership Application Form Download Solo Competitor - 2026 PPBAM Membership Application Form Download For Membership, Scholarship and Adjudicator Applications: Email completed forms to General@ppbam.org . or use the form on the contact page . Registration Forms Full Event List ( Last updated Jan 21st 2026 ) Event Name Manitoba Scottish Festival Location RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus Date + Time 9:00am Registration Closes April 5, 2026 Registration Closed Registration Form Solo Event Band Event Order of Play April 18, 2026 Event Name Manitoba Scottish Festival Workshop Location RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus Date + Time 9:00am - 4:00pm Registration Closes April 5, 2026 Registration Closed Registration Form Solo Event Band Event Workshop Event April 19, 2026 Event Name Summer Showcase Location Grant's Old Mill Date + Time 1:00pm Registration Closes May 30, 2026 Registration Closed Registration Form Solo Event Band Event Order of Play June 6, 2026 Event Name Manitoba Highland Gathering Location Legacy Park, East Selkirk Date + Time 9:00am Registration Closes June 14, 2026 Registration Closed Registration Form Solo Event Band Event Order of Play June 21, 2026 Graham Bremner Scholarship Fund Application See Scholarships page for more details. Download For Membership, Scholarship and Adjudicator Applications: Email completed forms to General@ppbam.org . or use the form on the contact page . Adjudicator Application Download For Membership, Scholarship and Adjudicator Applications: Email completed forms to General@ppbam.org . or use the form on the contact page . Tune Requirements - Under Construction - Pipe Band Solo Piping Solo Snare Solo Tenor Solo Bass Open/ Professional Open/ Professional 1.MSR -submit 2 sets 2.Hornpipe and Jig -submit 2 sets

Previous Back Next Manitoba Highland Gathering Registration Form Band Event Registration Form Solo Event Registration Form Order of Play Location: Date: Time: Address: Legacy Park, East Selkirk June 21, 2026 9:00am 1140 Strathcona Rd, East Selkirk, MB R0E 0M0, Canada 2026 Manitoba Highland Gathering – Selkirk, Manitoba June 21st, 2026 • Legacy Park Location: 1140 Strathcona Rd, East Selkirk, MB The Manitoba Highland Gathering proudly celebrates and preserves the vibrant traditions of Scottish culture, heritage, arts, sports, and agriculture. Each year, our volunteers work to nurture, share, and educate the community about these rich customs — and 2026 will be no exception. Join us for a full weekend of excitement, competition, music, and cultural experiences. A Weekend Full of Fun Step back into the Viking Age with a live‑action reenactment. Enjoy the grace and athleticism of Highland Dancing. Experience the power and precision of Pipe Band Competitions for soloists and bands. Explore live entertainment , artisan vendors, and cultural displays. Try your luck at the Scottish Auction! You can't leave with out stuffing your pockets full of the baked goodies! Stay connected🔗: Website: https://manitobahighlandgathering.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MBHighlandGathering/ Solo Events Piping | Piobaireachd | Snare Drum | Tenor Drum | Bass Drum Band & Ensemble Events Full Band (graded competition with prize money) Pipe Ensemble* (2–5 pipers, open adjudication) Drum Corps* (2–5 drummers, open adjudication) Mini Band* (up to 7 musicians, max 4 pipers; ungraded) *Participants may come from different bands and can perform in multiple groups. 📄 Complete Events List: https://ppbam.org/CompetitionEventsList.pdf 🗓️ Registration Closes: June 14th Solo Registration https://ppbam.org/ManitobaHighlandGathering-Registration:Solo-Events Full Band, Mini Band & Ensemble Registration https://ppbam.org/ManitobaHighlandGathering-Registration:Band-Events All competitors must be registered members of their pipe and drum association. Late entries may incur a fee. No field entries accepted. 💵 Fees Full Band : $75 per event** All other Events : $20 per event** **Invoices will be emailed. Registration is not complete until payment is received. 🏆 Prize Money*** Full Band Grade 1 — 1st $300, 2nd $150, 3rd $125 Grade 2 — 1st $300, 2nd $200, 3rd $150 Grade 3 — 1st $250, 2nd $175, 3rd $125 Grade 4 — 1st $200, 2nd $150, 3rd $100 Grade 5 — 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $75 ***In the event of any discrepancy between this information and the official information of PPBAM, the latter shall prevail. Previous Next

✦ U P C O M I N G E V E N T S ✦ Manitoba Scottish Festival Location: RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus Date: Time: Address: Apr 18, 2026 9:00am 2055 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J8, Canada Read More Manitoba Highland Gathering Location: Legacy Park, East Selkirk Date: Time: Address: Jun 21, 2026 9:00am 1140 Strathcona Rd, East Selkirk, MB R0E 0M0, Canada Read More Manitoba Scottish Festival Workshop Location: RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus Date: Time: Address: Apr 19, 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm 2055 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J8, Canada Read More Summer Showcase Location: Grant's Old Mill Date: Time: Address: Jun 6, 2026 1:00pm 2777 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3S5, Canada Read More

Previous Back Next Manitoba Scottish Festival Registration Form Band Event Registration Form Solo Event Registration Form Order of Play Location: Date: Time: Address: RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus April 18, 2026 9:00am 2055 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J8, Canada 2026 Manitoba Scottish Festival Winnipeg, Manitoba April 18, 2026 • RRC Polytech • 2055 Notre Dame Ave Step into a full day of world‑class music, competition, and tradition. Whether you're part of a full band, a small ensemble, or competing as a soloist, or specating for sport this event brings together the best of the pipe and drum community. Live Entertainment and Scottish Food! Event Location Details: Location: RRC Polytech - Notre Dame Campus Address: 2055 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg MB Building: A (Administration) Access: Off of Notre Dame Ave. East Entrance from S2 parking lot . Campus Map: https://www.rrc.ca/maps/?campus=ndc&markers=parking Solo Events Piping | Piobaireachd | Snare Drum | Tenor Drum | Bass Drum Band & Ensemble Events Full Band (graded competition with prize money) Pipe Ensemble* (2–5 pipers, open adjudication) Drum Corps* (2–5 drummers, open adjudication) Mini Band* (up to 7 musicians, max 4 pipers; ungraded) *Participants may come from different bands and can perform in multiple groups. 📄 Complete Events List: https://ppbam.org/CompetitionEventsList.pdf 🗓️ Registration Closes: April 5th Solo + Professional Solo Registration https://ppbam.org/ManitobaScottishFestival-Registration:Solo-Events Full Band, Mini Band & Ensemble Registration https://ppbam.org/ManitobaScottishFestival-Registration:Band-Events All competitors must be registered members of their pipe and drum association. Late entries may incur a fee. No field entries accepted. 💵 Fees Full Band : $75 per event** All other Events : $20 per event** **Invoices will be emailed. Registration is not complete until payment is received. 🏆 Prize Money*** Full Band Grade 1 — 1st $300, 2nd $150, 3rd $125 Grade 2 — 1st $300, 2nd $200, 3rd $150 Grade 3 — 1st $250, 2nd $175, 3rd $125 Grade 4 — 1st $200, 2nd $150, 3rd $100 Grade 5 — 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $75 Professional Solo Piping — 1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $50 Piobaireachd — 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $75 Snare Drum — 1st $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $50 🎼 Sunday Workshop — April 19, 2026 PPBAM is hosting a full‑day workshop on Sunday with our visiting adjudicators: Glenna Mackay‑Johnstone, James McHattie, J. Reid Maxwell, and Tyler Fry. Open to all skill levels, with instruction tailored to each participant. 9:00 AM–4:00 PM • Red River Polytech Free for PPBAM members; $75 for non‑members. Children under 12 require a chaperone (chaperones attend free). 👉 Full workshop details and registration available here. ***In the event of any discrepancy between this information and the official information of PPBAM, the latter shall prevail. Previous Next

Previous Back Next Summer Showcase Registration Form Band Event Registration Form Solo Event Registration Form Order of Play Location: Date: Time: Address: Grant's Old Mill June 6, 2026 1:00pm 2777 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3S5, Canada 2026 Summer Showcase – Winnipeg, Manitoba June 6th, 2026 • Grant's Old Mill Location: 2777 Portage Ave, Manitoba Event Location Details: Parking on Booth Dr Small Parking Lot Located @ 260 Booth Dr, Winnipeg MB Solo Events Piping | Piobaireachd | Snare Drum | Tenor Drum | Bass Drum Band & Ensemble Events Pipe Ensemble (2–5 pipers, open adjudication) Drum Corps (2–5 drummers, open adjudication) Mini Band (up to 7 musicians, max 4 pipers; ungraded) Participants may come from different bands and can perform in multiple groups. 📄 Complete Events List: https://ppbam.org/CompetitionEventsList.pdf 🗓️ Registration Closes: May 30th Solo Registration https://ppbam.org/SummerShowcase-Registration:Solo-Events Mini Band & Ensemble Registration https://ppbam.org/SummerShowcase-Registration:Band-Events All competitors must be registered members of their pipe and drum association. Late entries may be accepted and may be subject to a late fee. Field entries may be considered on competition day if time permits. 💵 Fees All Events : $20 per event Invoices will be emailed to the address provided on the registration form. Registration is not complete until payment is received. Previous Next

Previous Back Next Manitoba Scottish Festival Workshop Workshop Registration Band Event Registration Form Solo Event Registration Form Workshop Registration Location: Date: Time: Address: RRC Polytech Notre Dame Campus April 19, 2026 9:00am - 4:00pm 2055 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J8, Canada 2026 MSF Workshop Sunday, April 19th, 2026 • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Red River Polytech — Classroom Wing Glenna Mackay‑Johnstone • James McHattie • J. Reid Maxwell • Tyler Fry Learn from four world‑renowned performers, adjudicators, and instructors—each an expert on their instrument and in pipe band ensemble performance. Who Can Attend Open to students of all skill levels Schedule 9:00 AM – Workshop begins Lunch break (lunch not included; a group lunch option may be organized depending on interest) 4:00 PM – Approximate end time Location Red River Polytech Classrooms used for the Manitoba Scottish Festival the day before. Event Location Details: Location: RRC Polytech - Notre Dame Campus Address: 2055 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg MB Building: A (Administration) Access: Off of Notre Dame Ave. East Entrance from S2 parking lot . Campus Map: https://www.rrc.ca/maps/?campus=ndc&markers=parking What to Bring Practice instruments Bagpipes / Drum (If you play one) 🗓️ Registration Closes: April 5th Free for PPBAM members (Anyone from a registered PPBAM band) $75.00 CAD for non‑PPBAM musicians (Does not include lunch) Children under 12 must be accompanied by a chaperone Chaperones of registered students attend free Registration: https://ppbam.org/Workshop Previous Next

Hall of Fame Don Morrison Read More Doug Will Read More Thomas Thompson Read More Bob Cooper Read More George Lawrence Read More William MacLeod Read More Marlene Stephen Read More Robert Fraser Read More Ian Conn Read More Alex Cupples Sr. Read More William (Bill) Ramsay Read More Robert McLeod Stankey Read More Send corrections or requested additions to this page to: Email: General@ppbam.org . or use the form on the contact page .

Pipe Bands in Manitoba Transcona and District Pipe Band Practices are Thursdays nights at the Transcona Legion. Contact: Stewart at 204-795-2648 Facebook page Read More 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 Read More Clandeboye Pipe Band Grade V Pipe Band Pipe Major: Lead Drummer: Read More Lord Selkirk RFM Pipe Band Grade IV Pipe Band (youth) Pipe Major: Lead Drummer: www.lsrfmpb.ca Read More 407 Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders ( Cadets ) Youth Pipeband 407 Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps Thursday Evenings 18:15-21:00 ( September to June ) [Room # 26 ] Location: Minto Armouries Address: 969 St Matthews Avenue Winnipeg MB R3G0J7 Ph: 1-( 204)-786-1130 Email: 407army@cadets.gc.ca Read More 177 Air Canada Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Youth Pipeband 177 Air Canada Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Friday Evenings 18:00-21:15 ( September to June ) Location: Minto Armouries Address: 969 St Matthews Avenue Winnipeg MB R3G0J7 Ph: 1-(204)-612-4697 Email: 177air@cadets.gc.ca Read More Glenaura Pipes and Drums Contact info coming soon Read More 303 ANAVETS Adult Learning Band Pipe Major: Diane Kotelko Lead Drummer: Erwin Schiller Practices Monday nights 1900-2100 Location: Rockwood ANAVETS Address: 341 Wilton St, Winnipeg, MB R3M 1X3 Read More St. Andrew's Pipe Band Grade IV Grade IV Pipe Band Pipe Major: Wes Sheppard Lead Drummer: Read More St. Andrew's Pipe Band Grade III Grade III Pipe Band Pipe Major: Alex Pedin Lead Drummer: Dave Chorney Read More Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Grade III Pipe Band Pipe Major: MWO Daniel Locke, CD Lead Drummer: Sgt Ryan Summerton, CD www.cameronsofcanada.ca Read More Winnipeg Police Pipe Band Contact info coming soon Read More Send corrections or requested additions to this page to: Email: General@ppbam.org . or use the form on the contact page .

Previous Back Next Spring Fling Order of Play Band Event Registration Form Solo Event Registration Form Order of Play Location: Grace Community Church Date: Time: Address: March 7, 2026 12:00pm (Noon) 280 Caron Rd, Headingley, MB R4H 1B4, Canada 2026 Spring Fling – HEADINGLEY, MANITOBA March 7, 2026 • Grace Community Church Location: 280 Caron Road Headingley, Manitoba Solo Events Piping | Piobaireachd | Snare Drum | Tenor Drum | Bass Drum Band & Ensemble Events Pipe Ensemble (2–5 pipers, open adjudication) Drum Corps (2–5 drummers, open adjudication) Mini Band (up to 7 musicians, max 4 pipers; ungraded) Participants may come from different bands and can perform in multiple groups. 📄 Complete Events List: https://ppbam.org/CompetitionEventsList.pdf 🗓️ Registration Closes: March 1st Solo Registration https://ppbam.org/SpringFling-Registration:Solo-Events Mini Band & Ensemble Registration https://ppbam.org/SpringFling-Registration:Band-Events All competitors must be registered members of their pipe and drum association. Late entries may be accepted and may be subject to a late fee. Field entries may be considered on competition day if time permits. 💵 Fees All Events : $20 per event Invoices will be emailed to the address provided on the registration form. Registration is not complete until payment is received. Previous Next

< 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.