James MacHattie new Toronto Police Pipe-Major

Ian K. MacDonald has resigned as Pipe-Major of the Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band, due to a career advancement within the police force. James MacHattie, who has played with the band for several years, is the new Pipe-Major.

Under MacDonald, the Toronto Police had made a significant mark in Ontario and around the world. The band qualified for the Grade 1 final of the World Pipe Band Championship in 2001, ’02, and ’03, winning the qualifier round in 2002.

MacDonald has said that he will remain with the band as a piper, and that the decision is based solely on his advancement within the Toronto police force.

James MacHattie, originally from Saskatchewan and now living in Toronto, has taken on increased responsibilities with the Toronto Police for the last few years. In 2003 he was directly responsible for the band’s chanter sound, and worked with the band’s new set of Sinclair chanters in 2003. He is working on his doctorate in classics at the University of Toronto.

Ian MacDonald is a solo piper of note, having won, among many other prizes, the A Grade Strathspey & Reel at the Northern Meeting at Inverness, and prizes in the Highland Society of London Gold Medal events. He will also continue his solo competition piping efforts.

The Toronto Police Pipe Band changed leading drummers after the 2003 season, with Jeremy Keddy resigning and Craig Stewart taking on the role.

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