City of Whitehorse breaks down

of New Zealand’s Canterbury Caledonian Society pipe band organization as he stood behind members of the Grade 1 band after it won the New Zealand Pipe Band Championship. On City of Whitehorse’s private Facebook page, followers were invited to comment.

The band’s statement announcing its dissolution read:

When a person takes on an official judging position- they should be more than aware that a perception of bias is possible and take measures to avoid actions that would encourage that sentiment. Taking payment for tutoring and/or wearing the official gear and therefore being perceived to “endorse” a particular group is not OK. Calling that person’s character and reputation into question is par for the course and we make no apologies for doing so. More people should do so. The conduct is unacceptable and people have the right to feel strongly opposed and abhorred by it.

Choosing to victim-blame and shift the onus on to those criticising a person in a position of power by others in positions of power is an abuse of position and an insult to all those that are in it for the music. Earl should be ashamed.

Another source who also spoke on condition that his name not be attached to his comments said that City of Whitehorse had fully planned to fight the PBA decision and was prepared to go to court over the matter. The band was not sponsored but reportedly claimed that it had the means to litigate the issue if required.

Each City of Whitehorse member reportedly received a letter from PBA via the association’s legal counsel about what has happened and why, with a list of alleged transgressions according to PBA by members of the band over the years.

“[City of Whitehorse] were and have been given so many opportunities to just make it go away, but instead, exacerbate the situation,” said another source close to the matter. “They even had the opportunity to compete at the [Australian Championships], which was a big concession, and in the end they just keep spitting in the eye of the association. The whole thing might have ended long ago with a simple apology from the band.”

The band’s statement left the door slightly open for the future: “Given the climate and personnel, we have chosen to cease operations until a change of sentiment and personnel comes about.”

Several sources close to the RSPBA said that the Scottish association is watching the handling of the City of Whitehorse matter closely, and, in particular, the Member Protection Policy adopted by the organization.

Several players have already reportedly joined the Grade 3 Federation University Australia  and others are reportedly have joined or are planning to join the Grade 3 Victoria Scottish Pipes & Drums from the west side of Melbourne. If true, the moves could reinvigorate Victoria Scottish, a band that in 2000 won the Grade 1 Australian Championship, as well as “FedUni,” which has not competed for two seasons, and once was a Grade 2 band.

Shepherd, a native of Fife, Scotland, has led several groups to top-grade competition success, including the also now defunct Clan Gregor Pipe Band of Scotland. It was not confirmed whether his or the other members’ suspensions from competing within the organization will continue.

City of Whitehorse was formed as a Grade 2 band in May 2014 with Shepherd in charge.