Jake Watson returns to full-time leadership

Ontario pipe band stalwart and former Grade 1 pipe-major Jake Watson has returned to a full-time leadership role, taking over the top spot with the Grade 3 Penetangore Pipe Band of Kincardine, Ontario. The band also revealed that another pipe band veteran, Dave Constant, will be leading-drummer.

Watson has been a familiar presence with Penetangore over the years as an instructor, guiding the band to Grade 2 status in 2013 until personnel shortages forced the group to drop down a grade. He has served as pipe-major with several bands, including the Grade 1 Toronto Police and the long-defunct Niagara & District, which reached the premier grade before its demise.

Watson led Toronto Police to a North American Championship title in 1996, and was most recently with the Grade 1 Peel Regional Police, serving as pipe-sergeant until departing after the 2014 season.

Constant has been a leading-drummer with several bands dating back to the 1970s, including the Highland Fusiliers and Glen Mor, each no longer in existence.

“Jake and Dave were both at our AGM last fall and agreed to rehearse with the band throughout the winter and see how things went,” said Bill Millman, Penetangore president. “I’m thrilled to say things are going very well and we’re pleased to have the two of them at the helm for the 2015 contest season.”