MacHattie gives way to MacDonald for top spot at Toronto Police

James MacHattie will return to British Columbia in the fall of 2007 and has handed back the pipe-majorship of the Grade 1 Toronto Police to Ian K. MacDonald. MacHattie had led the band since 2004 when MacDonald had to step down as Pipe-Major due to work commitments in the Toronto Police force.

MacDonald hopes that potential career advancements will allow him to dedicate more time to the band.

“Leading-Drummer Doug Stronach and I are excited to see how far Ian will take the band,” MacHattie said. “[The band’s] focus this year is not on going to the World’s, but on refining the quality of the band to get it to the point that it will make a significant impact when it does compete in Glasgow. To ensure stability and continuity, we decided that Ian should take over before the local season starts.”

Under MacHattie’s three years of leadership, the Toronto Police won North American Championships in 2004 and 2006, and won the PPBSO Champions Supreme title for most overall points over the season at championship events all three years.

The band had been unable to carry over its success in North America to the World Pipe Band Championships, failing to make the Grade 1 final in each year.

Kylie MacHattie, James’s wife and a piper with the band and who was promted to the Professional grade in solo piping, will also move to British Columbia.