Toronto Police drumming instability continues with resignation
The Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band finds itself searching again for a leading-drummer following the resignation of Mark Passmore after less than a year in the position.
Passmore said that, “Certain talks recently have left us with a difference in ideology. The split is mutual and amicable.”
He had taken over the role in late-September 2013, following Ken Constable’s three-year run as L-D. Constable had succeeded Doug Stronach in 2011.
The Toronto Police in 2014 kept fairly steady over 2013, but showed overall improvement in piping with the addition of several top-flight players. The band consistently struggled in drumming from judges, including last-place rankings in their group in each qualifier event at the World Championships.
Pipe-Major Ian K. MacDonald said that the band is eager to hear from interested applicants, and added, “On behalf of the band I would like to thank Mark Passmore for his efforts this season and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Mark Passmore is such a talented and gifted drummer! It’s to bad that is didn’t work out with Toronto Police. Mark is one of a handful of drummers to continue with John Kerr’s drumming style. I would hate to see this style of drumming disappear all together. In this day and age, this type of drumming style is not conducive to a great band ensemble. I love the style, I just wish the drumming judges would keep an open mind and recognize the difficulty of this style of drumming. On the other hand, this type of drumming is extremely difficult to corps. Unless the whole corps is bang on, you are setting yourself up for failure. Best of luck to you Mark with your future endeavours!