Dave joined the Edmonton Boys Pipe band in 1959, at the age of 8, as a tenor drummer, eventually progressing to being the bass drummer, at the age of 11. His leaders at that time were Tom Young, drumming instructor, Edmund Chilton, Pipe Major, and Iain MacCrimmon, Pipe Sergeant.
In 1976, he joined the Quesnel Legion Pipe Band, quickly becoming the bass drummer, and eventually the Leading drummer. It was at this time that he began taking piping lessons from PM Alan MacLennan, and subsequently moving to the pipe section.
In 1987 he joined the Campbell River (BC) Legion Pipe band, under the leadership of Pipe Major Dave Dakin Sr., and Drum Major Ralph Weckstrom. The twenty one years with that band, playing mostly pipes, but occasionally snare, tenor, and bass drum, as the situation demanded were pivotal in his development, as Br. 137 was a highly successful, competitive band in the BC, and US highland gathering circuit. The bands commitment to excellence, while fostering a fun, family atmosphere was somewhat legendary in BC, and most of the adult members of the band, including Dave, raised their children as playing members of the band.
2008 saw Dave moving to Fort McMurray, where he played Bass, tenor, snare, and pipes as required, eventually becoming Leading drummer when Angus Campbell (jr.) moved south. In about 2010 he left the drum corps (for the last time, I promise) in the capable hands of David Sabine, and began life as a full time and forever piper. Leadership lessons learned under the direction of the 2 Ross’s…….Coventry, and Noble, will serve Dave well, as he begins his tenure as Pipe Major of the McMurray Legion Pipes and Drums.
Daves Comments:
There is no life like it! My journey with this music has made friends around the world for me. There is nowhere in the world (hardly….) that I can go, and not find a pipe band to visit, and fellowship with. Even in a foreign land, I can go to their practice, and we speak the same language! I have had the opportunity to play in the Grey Cup parade, and half time show, at the Calgary Stampede, and Edmonton’s Klondike days Parade, in Japan, as an honored guest, in Edinburgh, as a member of the Canadian Scottish Regimental band playing for 31 days at the Edinburgh Tattoo, and as the soloist piper playing for the Lieutenant Governor of BC.
Slainte…
more to come in the future!