Hayes takes on chair of PPBSO Music Board

The Music Board of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario has a new chairman, with Andrew Hayes taking the post after incumbent chair Andrew Berthoff voluntarily stepped down.

Hayes originally accepted the invitation to join the group in 2008, and since then has been involved with various sub-committees. One of the world’s foremost solo pipers, the Pipe-Major and instructor of the Grade 3 Ottawa Police Pipe Band and a piper with the Grade 1 78th Fraser Highlanders, he will oversee the progress of the group, which currently has 10 members.

“The PPBSO Music board has a strong reputation for providing well-considered advice to the PPBSO Executive,” Hayes said. “The Music Board also has a track record of developing, supporting and recommending innovative developments that serve to improve the performance of piping and drumming. As chair, my objective is to continue to promote the healthy dialogue that has led to innovative results in the past. I have no doubt that the contributions of the Music Board will continue to provide great value to the PPBSO membership and the Executive.”

Berthoff held the chair role for six years, during which time oversaw and facilitated the development and implementation of numerous initiatives, including the reintroduction of consultative band judging, the organization’s Education & Theory program, a revitalized Champion Supreme awards structure, the organization’s quadrant solo judging system and other programs, in addition to the day-to-day functions of the group such as grading, accreditation and policy.

“It’s important that a group such as this shakes things up from time to time,” Berthoff said. “After six years, I felt that it was time for new management, and Andrew Hayes will provide a fresh and wise perspective. I look forward to working with him in the future.”

An Ottawa-based lawyer, Hayes has provided a balanced perspective to many issues since joining the board. His nomination by Berthoff was approved unanimously by fellow PPBSO Music Board members Scott Bell, Kingston, Ontario; Graham Brown, Milton, Ontario; Greg Dinsdale, London, Ontario; Tyler Fry, Kincardine, Ontario; Lynda Mackay, Hanover, Ontario; Jim Scott, London, Ontario; Doug Stronach, Fergus, Ontario; and Bob Worrall, Burlington, Ontario.