The Regimental Pipes & Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada

The Regimental Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada came into existence shortly after the inception of the Regiment in 1910 and today is the oldest continuously active pipe band in British Columbia.

Made up of both serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and civilian volunteers, the Band performs in many military and civilian events. Each year there are appearances at parades, highland games and numerous other events in Vancouver and other communities in British Columbia, Alberta, Washington and California.

The primary roles of the Regimental Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada are:

To provide musical support for the Regiment, Association and Veterans,
To act as custodians of the cultural and Regimental traditions, and
To provide a public face for the Seaforth Highlanders and the Canadian Forces in the Lower Mainland.

For its first fifty-four years, the band had only two pipe majors; (WO1) John Gillies, MSM, formerly of the Scots Guards, and (WO1) Edmund “Ed” Esson, MBE CD. Both were Charter Members of the BC Pipers’ Association on its founding in 1932 and in 1961 Pipe Major Esson received an Honourary Life Member for his further contributions to the piping community of B.C. Since P/M Esson’s retirement there have been 9 Pipe Majors and 5 Drum Majors, and today the Pipe Band is under the direction of Pipe Major Sgt Daniel Bell, Drum Major WO Patrick Farrell, CD, Acting P/Sgt Cpl Alexandra Devitt, and Acting D/Sgt Colin Hearty.

In 2012, the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums competed in the BC Pipers Annual Indoor Games at Douglas College in the Grade 4 bands category. They tied for first place in piping with the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band and came fourth overall.

The Pipes and Drums are presently looking for new members and will accept auditions from those interested. Practice nights are every Wednesday from 19:30hrs - 22:30hrs. Please contact the Seaforth Armouries at 604-666-4379, the Band Room 604-666-3027 or the Drum Major, WO Patrick Farrell by email: Patrick.Farrell2@forces.gc.ca