About Us

McMurray Legion Pipes and Drums

History

            The pipe band started around 1972 as the Kinsmen Pipe Band under the leadership of the late Bill Coventry a long term member of the Royal Canadian Legion. By early 1990 the band had dwindled to only a few members, they had no fixed meeting location, contact with the Kinsmen had essentially been lost and the band was in danger of collapse.

            In 1991 Angus Campbell, then pipe major, approached a colleague, Terry Fackrell, who was an executive committee member of Branch 165,with a request to use the Branch banquet room for practice; the executive agreed to this and a major hurdle was overcome. This was such a successful arrangement that we presented a proposal forBranch 165 to become our sponsors and rename the band “McMurray Legion Pipes and Drums” in return for their support and sponsorship.

            The agreement letter, it is interesting to note changed the focus of our band from “recreational” to “competitive; this change is discussed later in this history. Included in the (1991) agreement between the pipe band and the legion are;

• That the band be given a practice facility on Wednesday evenings at no rental cost.
• That the band be provided storage facility for uniforms and equipment.
• That branch 165 provides the band with annual financial support of $500.
• A one, three and five year plan that included:
  • First year – supplies and equipment: $ 830
  • Three year plan:  new Jackets            $2400
  • Five year plan:     new kilts                 $5000
  • Annual expenses:                                 $ 500

The agreement was not a legal document – it was done on a basis of mutual trust and respect.

Our first public performance as McMurray Legion Pipes and Drums was on Monday 11^th November 1991.

            Since those early days the McMurray Legion Pipes and Drums has changed considerably and we are now a successful, and respected competition band.

            In 1999 Bill Coventry’s son, Ross, became the pipe major and under his dedicated and expert leadership the band started winning competitions where previously we had become used to not even being placed in the first three positions.

            Ross was succeeded as pipe major in 2012 by Ross Noble who has continued to build on previous successes such that we now enjoy a successful, well organized and talented pipe band.

            On November 11th 2019, Pipe Major Ross Noble stepped down, following 7 successful years leading the band, through a series of ups, and downs, as musicians came and left town due to the fluctuating economic cycles that Fort McMurray is subject to.

            On November 12th, Dave Otto assumed the role of Pipe Major. Dave is looking forward to building on the historical successes of his predecessors, by increasing the number of playing members, and returning the band to the competition arena.

Achievements

Honours in past few years are:     

Fort Edmonton Park Highland Games – Winners Gr5 (2010)

Red Deer Highland Games – runners up Gr5 (2011)

Red Deer Highland Games – winners Gr5 (2012)

Canmore Highland games – Winners Gr5 (2012 and 2013)                                                          

                                                           

Commitments and contributions to our community

• Performing at numerous events – most often at no cost; when there is a charge for a solo performer the fee is most commonly donated to the Pipe Band Society.
• Canada Day Parade
• RCMP banquets
• Afro-Canadian Celebrations
• Multi-Cultural events
• Firefighters Banquets
• Firefighter ceremonies
• Remembrance Day ceremonies
• Workers Memorial Day ceremonies
• Schools ceremonies (11^th November)
• Senior citizens week (Legion)
• Cultural presentation to “Girls Inc.”
• Alzheimer March for Memories
• March for Life (cancer)
• Keyano Convocation
• Weddings; Funerals, retirement parties
• Boyle Anniversary parade (done at no cost to Boyle legion)
• Robbie Burns celebrations spearheaded by the band, to support the Branch

Working to establish a Wood Buffalo Youth Pipeband by offering  free lessons to school aged children at Ecole MacTavish school

Next Steps…