New Toronto band a rarity for piping and drumming kids
Two things are perhaps surprisingly uncommon when it comes to piping and drumming in Toronto: there are few pipe bands actually based within the actual city of four-million people; and there are no bands especially for players ages 18 and younger.
That’s changed with the recent formation of the Ryan Russell Memorial Pipe Band, an extension of the Toronto Police Pipe Band organization that is designed to foster learning for young pipers and drummers, while also paying homage to Toronto Police Sergeant Ryan Russell, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2011, and who was also a great admirer of pipes and drums.
Led by Pipe-Major Brian Urkosky, who also runs the Toronto Police Grade 3 band, Ryan Russell Memorial has already attracted 10 players who are already on the pipes, and two drummers, one with some experience and another who is just beginning. The band plans to compete in Grade 5 in 2014 and also at Ontario competitions where a Juvenile category is offered, and is aiming to perform at the Ontario Police Memorial event in May.
Urkosky said that the band has another 10 who are interested in learning, who got wind of the group through the Toronto Police Services corporate communications. Practices will start in October in conjunction with the Grade 1 and Grade 3 rehearsals at the Toronto Police College on the west side of the city.
“Ryan was a friend with many band members, including me,” said Urkosky, who is also a service Toronto Police officer. “Being a juvenile band means that players will age out of the organization once they turn 19, but the future is a few years away. However, there will always be a youth-only band here, as well as a teaching program. It is the hope that after players progress through this band, they will choose to continue to play a Highland instrument with the Toronto Police Pipe Band.”
Urkosky added that the band is applying for official not-for-profit status, but is hoping for financial support from the public, the policing community at large, and grants. Toronto-based Stuart Lowe has come on board to teach piping, and the drumming instructor is the well-known Grade 1 leader and competitor Doug Stronach.
The band is paying additional homage to the Sergeant Ryan Russell by including is badge number of 7686 in its logo.
This is outstanding. All the best to Brian You, Stuart, Doug and company for much success. Slainte boys!
Inspiring. What a humble, yet grand gesture. Good luck with the band. I’m involved in something similar and it is a most rewarding thing to ‘pay it forward’. More of us should do this sort of thing, remembering we all started from the same place, not just band-hop and act like self-indulgent mercenary players.
Pipe band good news!! With a promise of future good news to follow! Well done and best wishes to all involved.
Absolutely first rate news! Bob Worrall
Bravo. Ross Walker.
Awesome news! good luck!
Toronto has had in the past some fine juvenile bands. From them came some very fine players. It’s great to hear that a much needed new juvenile band is on the way, with such fine instructors. Good luck tol all involved! Reay Mackay
This is an amazing gesture to make to a person that wasn’t a player in the band, but no less a part of the organization. A tip of the hat to Toronto Police for making this happen. It can only stand to improve and grow piping and drumming in Ontario.