Vancouver Band
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History of the Band 2 (Continued)
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It is probably not common knowledge that on March 22nd, 1978, the City of Vancouver "twinned" with the City of Edinburgh. The pipe band played for the honoured guests who included The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Rt. Hon. Kenneth Borthwick and the Lady Provost, Lady Borthwick. As a result of this contact, the band was honoured by being chosen to play at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1980. This being the first of only three performances at the tattoo by British Columbia pipe bands.
Vancouver Police Pipe Band, 1980 Edinburgh Tattoo
The Vancouver Police Pipe Band has issued two recordings since 1978. The first, "The Pipe Band" was released in 1978. "Music in Motion" was released in 1983 and featured the 15th Field Regiment Brass Band as well as the pipe band. In 1984 the pipe band produced a 50 minute long video which featured various routines and displays which the band could perform.
In 1984, Pipe Major Perrie was succeeded by Ian Sinclair, the son of the late Gordon Sinclair. Ian joined the police department in 1962, became Pipe Sgt. in 1967. Ian became Pipe Major in 1984 and continued to lead the band during its busy schedule. Ian was promoted to the rank of Inspector in 1986 and breaking with tradition carried on as Pipe Major until 1988 when he suffered a stroke. Although he made an excellent recovery, he stepped down as Pipe Major in 1989.
The Acting Pipe Major during Sinclair's illness was Pipe Staff Sgt. Don MacInnes. Don was subsequently appointed Pipe Major in 1989. A member of the illustrious MacInnes piping family, Donald has had considerable experience as a solo competitor and has been a member of the Vancouver Police Department since 1963.
The band made a two week trip to Hong Kong in November of 1988, where it participated in a Beating Retreat ceremony with the Royal Hong Kong Police Pipe Band. While in Hong Kong the band played at the Canadian War Cemetery at Sai Wan Bay. A side trip was made to Guangzhou, China, formerly Canton and a sister city of Vancouver. While here the band played at a number of events including a performance at a local childrens hospital who received the band warmly.
Another trip to the Orient was made in May of 1989, when the band traveled to Singapore. There they played for the Canada Day celebrations of the Pacific Asian Tourist Association. While in Singapore the band visited the Singapore Police Training Head Quarters and played together with the Singapore Police Women's Pipe Band.
In July of 1990, the once again ventured back to the Orient, this time for a trip to Yokohama, Japan. While here the band played at the Kanagawa Festival 90, which celebrated the numerous sister city relationships Yokohama has, of which, Vancouver is one.
In February, 1991, the band returned to Hawaii. The Mayor of Honolulu remembered the pipe band's previous visits including the retreat ceremony to honour President Kennedy. The Mayor paid tribute to the pipe band by declaring February 15th, 1991, "Vancouver Police Pipe Band Day" in Honolulu. During this trip, the United States was actively involved in the Gulf War with Iraq and the band asked to play in a ceremony honouring their armed forces. This wish was granted and the pipe band performed at Fort Shafter on evening as the Stars and Stripes was lowered for the night.
In October of 1993, the band returned to Hong Kong a second time to participate with the Royal Hong Kong Police in their Beating Retreat ceremonies. As guest band for a second time, the Royal Hong Kong Police hospitality was second to none. This trip was especially emotional as it was the last visit to the British colony before it is returned to China. Many of the bands friends were soon to be uprooted and making new lives for themselves in other countries. From Hong Kong, the band took a well deserved rest by spending several days in Bali, one of the more popular Indonesian islands. The scurl of the pipes along the Balinese beaches was yet another moment in the history of the band.
Chiba Japan - 1996
The band traveled to Chiba, Japan in August, 1996 - a suburb of Tokyo. Hosted by the city of Chiba for a sister city cultural exchange the band performed at several indoor and outdoor venues. In the spring of 1996, a mini-band of the Vancouver Police Pipe Band competed at the local spring indoor competition in the Grade II level. This marked the return of the Vancouver Police to competitive piping and drumming after a 40 year absence. The band's performance was well received as many in the mini-band and audience had not been born the last time they had competed. It was a poignant moment.
In January 1997, after 8 years as Pipe Major, which saw the band travel worldwide in a fashion unprecedented in the previous history of the band, Don MacInnes stepped down from the lead role in the band. Following the long-standing tradition of the band, the pipe major position was filled through election by the membership. Pipe Staff Sgt. Ian Millman was elected as the band's 12th Pipe Major since 1914.
Ian, following his father’s footsteps joined the police department in 1964 and subsequently joined the band in 1967. Ian served as band secretary for many years before becoming Pipe Sgt under Don MacInnes.
Throughout the summer of 1997, the pipe band rekindled its relationship with the military band of the 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Having produced a record together over a decade ago, the bands toured several United States Naval Air Stations together, playing at Change of Command ceremonies in Whidbey Island, San Jose, Fort Worth, San Diego and Philadelphia. In September 1997, the band traveled to Yokohama, Japan for the second time this decade to perform at the opening of the Pan Pacific Hotel chain's newest facility.
USS Kitty Hawk - San Diego - June, 1998
1998 brought more trips with the 15th Field Regiment to US Naval Air Stations. In the spring the band traveled to San Diego where they performed at Miramar Naval Air Station - the former Top Gun school for the Navy as well as performing onboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk for their Air Wing Commander's Change of Command.
In 1999, after just over two years of planning, fund raising and preparation, the band traveled to Edinburgh to perform with the Massed Pipes and Drums in the 50th Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Military pipe bands the band performed with included 1st Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforths, Gordons, & Camerons); 1st Battalion The Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders, The Royal Tank Regiment, The Queen's Royal Hussiers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, the Royal Air Force Leuchars Pipes and Drums and the bands of Scotlands University Officers' Training Corps. After completing 4 days of intense rehearsals on the parade square of Redford Barracks and the Castle Esplanade, the band performed 24 shows at the Castle in 21 days. On Tuesday, August 24th, with the Chief Constable in attendance as an honored guest of the Tattoo, Staff Sgt. Hugh Peden had the honour of being the Lone Piper high up the Castle ramparts performing the old standard - "Sleep Deary Sleep". During the last show, Retired Pipe Major Andy Perrie was honored by the Tattoo for his 48 years of continuous service in the Vancouver Police Pipe Band - only two years less than the Tattoo's 50 years of shows.
50th Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 1999 Netherlands International Tattoo - Breda - 2001
In September, 2000 the band returned to Honolulu, Hawaii yet again to perform in the Aloha Days Parade that winds its way from Honolulu through to Waikiki Beach.
In 2001, the performed in Breda, Holland as part of the Netherlands International Tattoo. The band's performances, in conjunction with the Pipe Band of the Calgary Police Service, were part of an overall military tattoo organized by the Dutch Armed Forces.
Chief Constable Graham Swearing-In Ceremony and Trooping of New VPD Colours
November 2002
In 2002 the Band joined forces with the Tartan Pride Highland Dancers and the Vancouver Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, held a concert at the Vancouver Playhouse.
In the spring of 2004, to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the band, the returned to the studio to make their third recording. Titled "90 Years on the Beat" the CD is a salute to all those members of the band since 1914 including, as noted above, the first tune the band played in public 90 years ago - the MacKenzie Highlanders.
Later that year, the Band traveled to Calgary, Alberta to participate in one of Canada's largest parades - the Calgary Stampede Parade. With approximately 300,000 spectators along the parade route, the band wound its way from one side of downtown Calgary to the other and back again along the traditional Stampede parade route.
90 Years on the Beat
2004 Santa Clause Parade - Vancouver
In August 2005, the Band joined 17 other Military Bands in Quebec City to participate in the 7th Annual International Festival of Military Music. The Band, once again, made its own little bit of history by becoming the first Pipe Band ever to perform the "Changing of the Guard" ceremony at the Citadel. As part of the tour, the Band performed in front of 8,000 spectators at the Pepsi Coliseum as well as at various other venues throughout the old historic quarters of Quebec City.
After serving nearly 10 years as Pipe Major, Ian Millman stepped down from the position in October of 2006.
Currently the band is under the direction of Pipe Major Cal Davis. Like many of his predecessors Cal started piping as a cadet with the Seaforth Highlanders. After playing with several local bands Cal joined the Vancouver Police band in 1998 as a civilian member and a couple years later was hired by the department.
Complimenting the rank structure of the band is Drum Major Bruce Eburne, Pipe Sgt Jim McWilliams and Drum Sergeant Scott Vallance.
Changing of the Guard - The Citadel, Quebec City 2005
For nearly a century, the Vancouver Police Pipe Band has been fortunate to have so many members of their department and civilians interested in creating, maintaining and promoting the pipe band, and piping in general. They have formed a veritable "who's who" of the British Columbia and Canadian piping community. The current members, along with future aspiring pipers and drummers, will maintain the music and traditions of the Vancouver Police Pipe Band for years to come.
The following sources were used to compile this history of the band. They are extensive works and deserve significant credit and publicity.
- Pioneer Pipers of British Columbia, Carl Ian Walker, Freisen Printers, 1987
- Pipe Bands in British Columbia, Carl Ian Walker, Freisen Printers, 1992
- A Century of Service, The Vancouver Police 1886-1986, Joe Swan, 1986
The band would also like to recognize retired Pipe Sgt Hugh Peden for his research and original creation of this website.