Robert-Malcolm Memorial promoted to Grade 1
The Robert-Malcolm Memorial II Pipe Band has been promoted to Grade 1 officially by the British Columbia Pipers’ Association, after the band completed an almost undefeated season in Grade 2 and took home the first prize in that Grade at the World Pipe Band Championships in August.
The Robert-Malcolm Memorial II band is part of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band system, which comprises now two Grade 1 bands, bands in Grade 3 and Grade 4, and an “Alumni” band.
It is not known how the organization will handle both bands in Grade 1. Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia and the Toronto Police – other Grade 1 bands with successful Grade 2 “feeder” bands on the brink of promotion – opted instead to dissolve the lower-grade band, absorbing players into the Grade 1 group.
The band’s upgrade brings the total number of Grade 1 bands in North America to an all-time high of 11. There are currently 12 Grade 1 bands in the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, eight from Scotland and four from Northern Ireland.
Other North American Grade 1 bands: Alberta Caledonia, City of Washington, Los Angeles Scots, Peel Regional Police, Prince Charles, Scottish Lion-78th Fraser Highlanders, 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel, Toronto Police, and Windsor Police.
It is expected that the Fredericton Society of St. Andrew Pipe Band of New Brunswick will also make the jump to Grade 1 this fall. The band won Grade 2 at the North American Championships in August.
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This is a varitable revolution in Burnaby. This band has proven its tremendous talent and does not deserve to be in grade 2 any longer. Let RMM III have their turn at being next in line. I encourage the band to separate from the SFU organization for the sake of having more than one grade one pipe band and less SFU hegemony.