Hawke eyes Canterbury vision of success

In preparation for the band’s planned trip to Scotland to compete in Grade 1 at the 2009 World Pipe Band Championships, New Zealand’s Canterbury Caledonian Society Pipe Band has secured the services of 2007 Argyllshire Gathering Gold Medallist Richard Hawke as its “Pipe Band Director.”

 

According to the band, Hawke will work closely with Canterbury Pipe-Major Jim Allan. Details of Hawke’s responsibilities were not immediately disclosed, and it is not yet known whether the post is a paid position.

 

Hawke is the former Pipe-Major of Canterbury Caledonian. He will remain as the full-time Director of the St. Andrew’s College Pipe Band’s Grade 3 and Grade 4 projects in Christchurch, New Zealand.

 

Known mainly for his solo work, which in addition to the Gold Medal at Oban includes both Silver Medals and the Dunvegan Medal, Richard Hawke has also won four Grade 1 and two Grade 3 titles at the New Zealand National Championships.

 

Formed in 1902, Canterbury Caledonian is one of the world’s longest-running civilian pipe bands, and has competed Grade 1 since 1967. The band says that the last five years have been focused on “rebuilding and strengthening to remain a top level Grade 1 band in New Zealand and the world.”