Grade 2 Winnipeg band hopes for resurrection after losing saint status

The Grade 2 band scene in North America continues its ups and downs with the latest down coming with the demise of the St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg collapsing after being on hiatus during the 2014 season.

The organization maintains its Grade 3 band, but has revealed that it is no longer affiliated with the local St. Andrew’s Society.

“This year with the loss of some key players we found we just did not have enough members to be competitive in the grade,” said Pipe-Major Wes Sheppard. “With regret, we are standing down for the time being.”

He said that the Grade 3 band is “still very active and growing and will be competing this year.” The group is planning to travel to Maxville, Ontario, to compete at the North American Pipe Band Championships.

Later in 2014, six new Grade 2 bands were added to the western North American scene, with the rise of the Rocky Mountain Pipe Band, North Stratton Pipe Band and Viscount Park Pipe Band, each from Alberta, and, in the United States, the Bushmills Irish Pipers of San Francisco, the Queen City Pipe Band of Denver, and the Wasatch & District Pipe Band of Bountiful, Utah.