WAPOL building to return to regular competition
After the 2004 competition season when the band finished tenth at the World Championships, the Western Australia Police Pipe Band essentially fell off the radar screen of the international competitive piping and drumming community. But WAPOL has embarked on a rebuilding program that includes introducing new members to its ranks and ambitious concerts and recordings.
The latest piper to make the move to WAPOL is piper Stuart Robertson, a veteran of the Scottish pipe band scene and most recently four years with House of Edgar-Shotts & Dykehead. Robertson is moving to WAPOL’s centre of Perth, Australia, to be employed full time by the police force. Other recent additions to WAPOL include snare drummers Chris Johnston, formerly of St. Laurence O’Toole, and Scott Mitchell, formerly with the Grampian Police.
Former Robert Wiseman Dairies-Vale of Atholl member Paul Hughes took over the leadership of WAPOL in 2008, immediately deploying a rebuilding effort to bring the band back to prominence in competition.
Most of the band’s efforts are focused on community events and performs to thousands of school children, charities and organizations throughout the year
The band is staging a major concert at the Curtin Theatre in Fremantle, Australia, on October 30th.
Good luck to this fine band. A great bunch of people too!
I must say this is welcome news. It has been so long since WAPOL were on the radar as a complete unit, even in Australia (granted, many of their members have been floating around other more active bands in the meantime). It will be good to see them add something to the local scene again. It has interested me that they seem to have retained their Grade 1 rating, although they have appeared at the odd contest, I think, and competed uncontested – and therefore ‘winning’ – the grade. Anyway, great to see them rebuilding and I hope they make their way to the Australian Championships in 2012 in my hometown of Ballarat! For that matter, ANY band, anywhere in the would would be most welcome to come – we are planning something great! Stephen
Great news! I remember when they attended the Alma Highland Festival (in 2001 I believe). They placed 1st in the U.S. Championships on the Sunday with the 78th Frasers coming 2nd. And what a sound!!