Constable joins up with Toronto Police; band confirms new L-D and other high-profile members
The Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band has solved its Leading-Drummer needs with the addition of the veteran top-grade side-drummer Ken Constable to the post. Constable takes over from Doug Stronach, who left the band after several years as L-D in order to focus on his music career.
The band has also added pipers Sean McKeown and John Hugh MacDonald to its ranks, both of whom departed the Grade 1 78th Fraser Highlanders, at which McKeown served as Pipe-Sergeant for several years under Pipe-Major Bill Livingstone, who, after 29 years, resigned his leadership position and has since left the band he founded in 1981.
Also joining the Toronto Police are snare drummers John Gaudet and Alan Henry. Gaudet was most recently the Leading-Drummer of the Grade 2 Hamilton Police Pipe Band, and previously led the corps of the now defunct Jervis Bay Pipe Band of Saint John, New Brunswick.
Constable is a well known figure on the Ontario pipe band scene, having harnessed more than two decades of Grade 1 experience under his sling as a member at various times of the Toronto Police, Peel Regional Police and the 78th Fraser Highlanders.
“I’ve been really lucky to have worked with great drummers and a wide variety of drumming styles and ensemble approaches,” Constable . . .
Congratulations Ken! Well deserved. All the best to yourself and the band in the future.
Congrats Kenny, all the best for 2011. Drew
Way to go Kenny!
Congratulations Ken. You have so much to offer the pipe band world. You have shown yourself to be a solid performer as well as a talented composer over the many years playing in GR 1. Looking forward to hearing your new corps. Michael H.
Congratulations!There’s nothing like a constable joining the police.
a popular and well regarded member of the team” is an understatement 🙂 I don’t think there’s anyone in the pipe band game that doesn’t get along with Kenny. Congrats Kenny and best of luck. “
I remember Kenny as a 15 year old quiet drummer in Peterborogh getting lessons with Wayne Jarvis and Rob MacPhail. He had great hands then and he’s come a long way. He’ll do great with the Police. Way to go kenny. Bret Cousins
I’ve known Kenny as a great drummer and a great friend for over 20 years now. We first played in TPPB in the early 90’s with Drew Duthart at the helm and then came full-circle playing together again in TPPB for the last six. All the best to Ken and the band for the coming season……Doug Stronach