
Mike's
pipe band career started as a piper at the age of 13
under the direction of Malcolm Nicholson, retired Pipe
Major of the Vancouver Police pipe band. He started
with the Highland Laddies Pipe Band, and after just a
year moved up the ranks to the Kiwanis Boys Pipe Band.
During this time the band won numerous titles
including Western Pipe Band Aggregate Champions, a
second place in Juvenile at the World Pipe Band
Championships, and first in the English Championships
in 1975.
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Mike held the
rank of Pipe Sergeant for a number of years and in 1976
took on the rank of Pipe Major and guided the band to
wins in Monterey, San Francisco and Santa Rosa,
California. Also during this time he competed in many
individual competitions throughout the west coast
staying in the top 5 of his class.
After a few
years of reprieve he was invited to join the Grade 2
Port Coquitlam Legion pipe band in 1980. This in turn
gave birth to the existing Sir John A. MacDonald pipe
band, also a very successful competition band winning
most of the Grade 2 titles on the West Coast. Mike also
held the rank of Pipe Major with the band for one year
and then took on the role of Drum Major for all parade
and massed band performances. The band went through some
very lean years and then in 2003 amalgamated with the
Triumph Street Pipe Band.
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In the winter
of 2005 Mike was asked to attend a meeting with the
interest of forming an RCMP pipe band. Based on the
focus of creating a quality sound, a high level of
musicality, and a goal to be a performance-based pipe
band, he decided to put his competing days aside and
look at something new, representing both the RCMP and
British Columbia.
Mike lives in
Langley, with his lovely wife Julie (also an
accomplished piper and a member of the band). He has 4
daughters and 5 grandchildren. He also has a nephew
currently playing in the E Division band.
To send an email to Mike,
click
here..
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