SUBMITTED
12 Wing Pipes and Drums win silver and gold
By WO Katie Buckland,
12 Wing Pipe Major
12 Wing Pipes and Drums just finished a season of pipe band competition both locally and travelling to Ontario and Quebec. The band had an extremely successful season finishing with a second place finish at The North American Pipe Band Championships in Maxville, Ontario as well as a first place finish in Montreal, Quebec. Up against 14 bands in Maxville, the band finished second only to our friends and comrades in 8 Wing Trenton Pipes and Drums. It was a very successful weekend winning best pipe corps in both events.
The band’s roster is comprised of both military and civilian members which are led by WO Buckland (Pipe Major) and Sgt Maloney (Lead Drummer). With a change in leadership in 2014, the band decided to take a break from competition and focus on recruitment and skill development. In September of 2017, the bandmembers set their sights high and decided they would take the competition field once again. All the extra practices paid off as they walked away with silver in The North American Pipe Band Championships.
It was a successful day for the RCAF with 8 Wing taking first, 12 Wing taking second and 400 Squadron taking fourth in their grade. All the RCAF bands performed in the closing massed ceremonies a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace for those members lost in our Pipe Band Society this past year.
Competition is a huge aspect to the pipes and drums culture and steams back to the 1700’s. Today, pipe band competitions are still held in high regard with the World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland every August. The band is looking forward to a bit of rest and already thinking about how they will be better for the next season.
