March 2005

South Alberta Pipes and Drums

It is possible that the first pipers to sound in Medicine Hat belonged to a Nova Scotian Highland regiment stationed here 1884-85. They would have had plenty of time to warm up their little white tents with the sound of pipes, as they saw no action from the Riel Rebellion. However, the first known pipe band was sponsored by the Medicine Hat branch of the Royal Canadian Legion shortly after WWI until 1960. Pipe Major Alec Hosey, a champion piper from Scotland, held practice chanter and pipe classes at Elm Street School. This band wore full military uniforms of MacGregor tartan, worn in honour of Alec MacGregor, a City Solicitor who fought in the Boer War. The 1920's and 30's saw a great deal of action, with the band generally leading the annual Stampede parade. A picture of PM Hosey and his band of pipes and drums, including many policemen, has been on display at the MH Museum for many years.

Bill Cowan, a Fifer, succeeded Hosey as PM and founded The South Alberta Pipe Band in 1967. Band members chose the Clan MacDuff for their tartan and cap badges. This band also wore full military uniform, including plaid, tunic and feather bonnet. In 1978, Fred Standing became PM, Ron Shannon in 1979, Standing again in 1980, and shortly after Eric Kean, who remains PM to this day. A strong band through the 80's, numbers dwindled as members left for university or marriages in Winnipeg, toured Scotland, or chose instead to play Renaissance festivals in Texas. Some simply retired from playing. It did indeed seem that pipes and drums in the Hat were about to expire. In fact, by the late 90's, the PM and Bob Colley seemed to be the only pipers around.

A slow but steady resurgence of membership began and by 2002 beginner pipers were happily struggling to bring old dusty pipes into glorious playing condition. 2003 saw pipes and drums playing within the community and marching down streets. By 2004, the South Alberta Pipes and Drums Society was reincorporated. The SAPD now boasts a dozen full pipes and drums, more beginner students trying to dust off equipment and the teaching of military cadet students. They perform at various functions throughout the year.

Their website, sapd.webhop.org, hosts a wealth of information on their upcoming events, contacts, how to speak Gaelic, and interesting links. Great thanks to Malcolm Sissons, SAPD secretary, for his work on the site, where much this history came from. The SAPD's next public performance is planned for May 27th, for the Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Kin Coulee Park, 10pm. For more information about the SAPD contact PM Eric Kean at 527-4708 or Malcolm Sission at 526-3140.

Questions for me? Please e-mail BeKean@telusplanet.net