The British Columbia Pipers’ Association (BCPA) will be hosting their Annual Gathering at Clayton Heights Secondary School this Friday and Saturday.
The competition has been held annually since 1932, and it is one of North America’s largest and most prestigious competitions. Drummers, pipers and pipe bands travel from across the world to compete.
“We are thrilled to bring the highest calibre of Scottish music to the Lower Mainland’s diverse cultural landscape,” said BCPA president Robert MacNeil.
“The standard of play will help raise the game of our local musicians and give them the opportunity to watch and learn from some of the world’s best,” he said.
Two top-tier pipe bands, the Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band from Port Coquitlam and the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Burnaby, will be competing.
MacNeil said there are only around 30 bands in the world of their calibre.
There will be 48 competitive events over the two day Annual Gathering. Contributed
“We are incredibly excited to feature two (bands) that consistently rank in the top ten at the World Pipe Band Championships,” he said. “Our hope is that local pipers, drummers and pipe bands watch these experts and will learn and grow from the experience.”
Musicians from across North America, Scotland, Northern Ireland and New Zealand will compete in the two day event.
Over April 14 and 15, more than 140 solo competitors and 16 bands will compete in piping, snare and tenor drumming.
Friday will feature solo piping and Open drumming competitions and Saturday will have the remaining solo events, the full band competition and a Ceilidh following afterward. The musicians will play from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
Tickets for single days or the full weekend can be purchased at the door. Regular admission ticket prices are: Friday pass $5, Saturday pass $10, Weekend Pass $12 and Band Contest Reserved Seat $10. Cash and credit cards will be accepted for admission purchases. For more information, visit http://www.bcpipers.org/programs/annual-gathering/.
