The Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band is a grade 2 competitive pipe band based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.[1] As well as participating in competitions, the band performs at civic events, parades[2] and charitable fund-raisers.[3][4]
| Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1969 |
| Location | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Grade | 2 |
| Pipe major | Jacob Dicker |
| Drum sergeant | Joe Kiah |
| Tartan | Red Ross |
| Website | http://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/about-us/Pipe-Band.aspx |
History
The Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band was founded in 1969, to promote good public relations and to play at the funerals of police officers.[5]
In 2012 the band played for the return of Olympic athletes at the Ottawa International Airport.[6]
The band won the Pipers' and Pipe Band Society of Ontario grade 2 Champion Supreme Award in 2012, 2013,[7] and 2014.
On 7 July 2013, members of the band performed Mull of Kintyre on stage with Paul McCartney as part of his Out There concert tour. The band performed to a sold out hometown crowd at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Canada.[8]
The band won the North American Pipe Band Championship in grade 2 at the Glengarry Highland Games in 2013 and 2014.
In October 2014, the band was promoted to grade 1 by the Pipers' and Pipe Band Society of Ontario after a merger with neighboring Glengarry Pipe Band, also in grade 2.[9][10]
In 2007 and 2018 the band opened for Rod Stewart at the British rock singer and songwriter's Ottawa concerts.[11]
The band requested a downgrade to grade 2 for the 2019 season after a two-year hiatus, citing a drop in numbers after the departure of lead-drummer Brendan Kelly and pipe major Andrew Hayes. [12]