Ottawa Police taking competition sabbatical

The Ottawa Police Pipe Band has cancelled its 2005 competition season due to a lack of drummers, postponing its debut season in Grade 2 after being officially upgraded by the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario.

The band will continue to perform at official functions, including those marking the Ottawa Police Service’s 150th anniversary.

“I can confirm that the Ottawa Police Pipe Band will take the year off from competition,” says Pipe-Major Andrew Hayes. “It is hoped that we can get things moving again in the fall and hopefully can put a band back on the field in 2006. In this regard, we are currently focusing on developing the skills of the Ottawa-based drummers in our drum corps with a view to building a solid drum corps for next year.”

The band had brought in a new leading-drummer, Jeremy Keddy, after the 2004 season, but plans did not pan out as expected and various members of the band’s drum section departed.

Hayes, one of the world’s top solo pipers, confirmed that he will compete with the Toronto Police Pipe Band, current North American Champions.

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