Login / RegisterSFU Pipe Band wows New York
There’s been much to celebrate of late within the Vancouver bagpipe community. First, we had the city’s reversal of a ban on piping buskers—with Mayor Gregor Robertson taking the matter to heart, promising via Twitter that “There will be no ban on bagpipes or drums busking in Vancouver — not on my watch!”
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And on Friday (May 4), the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band performed at the famed Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, which was recorded as the band’s 11th CD. The performance was followed by a weekend of teaching workshops by the band at Archbishop Molloy high school in Queens, as part of the Highland Arts Festival.
According to a news release, Ontario’s Caledonia & District Pipes and Drums band were so keen to meet the SFU pipers that musicians piled into two trucks and drove 10 hours to NYC to take part in a workshop.
For those in the know, it will come as little surprise to hear of the fuss being made over our local boys (and gals). But for those who aren’t big fans of the Gaelic arts, it’s worth pointing out that the 47-member SFU Pipe Band, over the last three decades, has earned six firsts and nine second-place titles at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow; released 10 CDs; and performed in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Massey Hall, and the Mormon Tabernacle.
So, without further ado, here’s a little taste of Friday night’s action:
