78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) win Georgetown

Georgetown, Ontario – June 9, 2012 – On a mainly overcast but mostly dry day, the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) took home the Grade 1 first prize at the Georgetown Highland Games, the first outdoor band event of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario season. In Grade 2, the newly expanded Ottawa Police won. Ian K. MacDonald of Whitby, Ontario, was the Professional Piper of the Day, taking three of four firsts.

At the closing ceremonies the games honoured, first, the Toronto Police Pipe Band, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary year, and paid tribute to the late Ron Rollo, with the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) playing a special rendition of “Amazing Grace.” The late Darby MacCarroll was also acknowledged for his contribution to the games over the years. The competition was the first for new Pipe-Major Alex Gandy of the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel).

Stay tuned to pipes|drums for high definition video from the Grade 1 competition.

Bands
Grade 1 (MSR, four competed)
1st 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) (1,1,4,2)
2nd Toronto Police (2,2,2,3)
3rd 78th Fraser Highlanders (4,4,1,1)

Drumming: 78th Fraser Highlanders
Judges: Reay Mackay, Bob Worrall (piping); Craig Stewart (drumming); Jim McGillivray (ensemble)

Grade 2 (medley, three competed)
1st Ottawa Police (1,1,2,1)
2nd Rob Roy (2,2,1,2)
3rd 400 Squadron (3,3,3,3)

Judges: Lynda MacKay, Ken Eller (piping); Brian McCue (drumming); Andrew Berthoff (ensemble)

Grade 3
1st Windsor Police
2nd Toronto Police (Gr3)
3rd Paris/Port Dover

Drumming: Toronto Police
Judges: Reay Mackay, Bob Worrall (piping); Craig Stewart (drumming); Jim McGillivray (ensemble)

Grade 4 (march medley, 13 competed)
1st Durham Regional Police
2nd Niagara Regional Police
3rd Hamilton Police

Drumming: Hamilton Police
Judges: Lynda MacKay, Ken Eller (piping); Brian McCue (drumming); Andrew Berthoff (ensemble)

Grade 5
1st Grand Celtic
2nd Rob Roy
3rd White Heather

Drumming: Rob Roy
Judges: Reay Mackay, Bob Worrall (piping); Craig Stewart (drumming); Jim McGillivray (ensemble)

Professional Solo Piping
Piobaireachd
1st Andrew Hayes, Ottawa
2nd Andrew Carlisle, Pittsburgh
3rd Ian K. MacDonald

Judge: Jim McGillivray

March
1st Ian K. MacDonald
2nd Andrew Hayes
3rd Sean McKeown, Toronto

Judge: Bill Livingstone

Strathspey & Reel
1st Ian K. MacDonald
2nd Andrew Hayes
3rd Michael Grey

Judge: Reay Mackay

Jig
1st Ian K. MacDonald
2nd Andrew Carlisle
3rd Andrew Hayes

Judge: Ken Eller