We’re a community based Pipe Band, supported by and run in the name of the York Regional Police.
Organization
The York Regional Police Pipes & Drums is a volunteer service organization formed in 1988, including both sworn officers and civilians under the command of Chief Eric Jolliffe. We proudly wear the Sir John A. MacDonald tartan in memory of Canada’s first Prime Minister. The band fields both a parade / concert band as well as a Grade 4 competition band under the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario. We seek to embody York Regional Police's shared values of Community, Competence and Teamwork.
Mandate: Longstanding Community & Global Presence
The band’s mandate is deeply rooted in volunteerism and service to York Region’s many diverse communities. We routinely support many cultural events, parades, fund raisers, and official police functions each year. We were proud to raise $60,000 for the Special Olympics at the 2nd annual York Regional Police Tattoo (2010), a tradition that was partly established by the band itself. We continue to expand our performance capabilities for both large and intimate crowds, highland games, military tattoos, and large-production shows, both in the region and around the world. 2014 represents our 4th year in official competition alongside our larger pipe band community and friends.
Philosophy and Vision
The band balances its community-service focus with our passion for promoting and excelling at Scottish traditional music, song and dance. We pride ourselves in our musicianship and professionalism, and that approach has afforded us the privilege of playing alongside many diverse musical and entertainment acts throughout the world, both military and civilian. In recent years, we incorporated a Highland Dance troupe and other musicians into our performances, and view competition as a key part of how we improve musically. As ambassadors of policing, our country, and our heritage, we’re constantly looking for opportunities (and like-minded individuals) to share and promote our particular brand of musical storytelling.
Our training philosophy is "to learn from the best and to constantly improve." When we strike up, we want to inspire others with our sound and music. Our competition group is a team trying to be the best it can be and, like any musical act at top form, it relies on all members supporting each other to succeed. We expect a lot, but the thrills of playing well speak for themselves. We enjoy playing and want to keep our practices happy and rewarding. Come check us out and see for yourself.
