Regimental Mace, Pipers’ Club, BC Highland Games & More

It’s been a busy few months for the RCMP E. Division Pipe Band, with new folks, new equipment and plenty of piping and drumming.

Earlier this spring, the band celebrated the acquisition of a new band mace, following a successful “Raise the Mace” fundraising campaign last year. Our new mace, carried by the Drum Major at all parades and events, holds all the names of fallen members of the RCMP and North West Mounted Police. It’s an important symbol of the regiment, honouring those who have fallen in the line of duty. The mace-presentation ceremony was attended not only by Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer, E Division and Sergeant Major Dave Hall, but also the entire E. Division headquarters, who turned out on a beautiful spring afternoon to hear the band and witness the turn-over of the mace to Drum Major Mike Guillimin. You will see the mace any time the band is performing or marching in a parade.

Musically, the band has also been very busy preparing for a show at the venerable Vancouver Island Pipers’ Club. That show took place on May 14 in Victoria at the Canadian Scottish Regiment armoury mess. A good crowd of piping aficionados were on hand, following the Tartan Parade earlier in the day promoting the Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival the following week. The band spent the past two months perfecting a large repertoire of music and working with Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band pipe major Dave Hilder and pipe sergeant Shaunna Hilder on our new Chesney chanters and reeds. Our performance on May 14 went beautifully and we look forward to many more months of enjoying the bright sound of the new reeds and chanters.

Our band is also expanding with the addition of piper John Ralston, the former pipe major of the Delta Police Pipe Band. We are also fortunate to have recently retired North District RCMP Chief Superintendent Rod Booth from Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, actively involved in playing with the band, along with former RCMP Regina Pipes & Drums pipe major Brent Blanchard who now lives the retired life on Vancouver Island. And we have also welcomed active-member Cst. Jason From of the Comox Detachment to our ranks.

Next for the band is the BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival. The E. Division Pipe Band has agreed to be duty band at the games in Coquitlam on June 18, performing for the crowd and marching in dignitaries. Drum Major Mike Guillimin has also agreed to lead on the massed performance pipe bands at 12:30 pm and the band will also play in the new grand finale’ at the end of the day.

Our next big event looks like Beijing, China, where the band will be playing as part of an international tourism festival in late September.

It’s a great time for the E. Division pipe band, with solid leadership in both the band and executive, and a solid corps of great pipers and drummers. The band continues to improve its sound and repertoire of music and will continue to be a band that attracts pipers and drummers in BC who want to perform at a high level without the stress and commitment of competition.