Carter leaves Fredericton L-D post; joins 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel)
Matt Carter, leading-drummer of the Grade 1 Fredericton Society of St. Andrew Pipe Band for the last 12 years, has left to join the Grade 1 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) Pipe Band. Carter will reportedly simply play in the 78th Highlanders’ corps under L-D David Danskin.
Carter follows former Fredericton Pipe-Major Derick Wilson, who joined the 78th Highlanders in October 2007 after many years with the band. Wilson was reportedly ousted to make way for new pipe-major Gord Perry.
“My reasons for leaving are based on the departure of several key players from my ‘dream corps’ corps,” Carter said. “I love the Fredericton band. I grew up with them and will always think of them as my extended family but after spending years building a great corps and then slowly watching it dissolve as people’s lives took them in different directions, I feel that after 24 years with the band, 12 as lead drummer, I no longer have the time to build another corps all over again. This was the toughest decision I have ever made.”
Fredericton will meet soon to address the situation, according to Pipe-Sergeant Chris Gallant, who added, “The band thanks Matt for his many years of contribution, and wish him well with his latest endeavors.”
Carter is a well known teacher in the Canadian Maritimes. A feature article by him on composing pipe band snare drum scores appeared on pipes|drums in October 2006.
I’d like to point out that this article has erroneously stated that former P/M Derick Wilson was ousted” to make way for current P/M Gord Perry. The FSSAPB holds a vote every 2 years to determine who will be the P/M and lead tip and anyone can be nominated by anyone else within the organization. Using the word “ousted”implies that they were kicked out of the role when in fact there was only one person who had their name submitted for the vote and they got the position by default. We wish Matt and Derick all the best.”
Matt’s a bang up guy and I wish him all the best in his new adventure in 2008. Very good teacher and a very good leader. His brings alot of great things to the table for the 78th. All the best Matt!! I believe he will be competing againest his little bro Aaron. Wow! Cant imagine doing that. Ryan and I tossed around the idea for laughs but I couldnt imagine it happening. Cheers, C Barr