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- Glengarry Highland Games: Gilbert Talks All Things Pipe Bands
- What does your role as director of bands include?
- How did you first get involved with Glengarry highland games?
- What is the most rewarding part about your role as director of bands?
- When did you first attend a Highland Games?
- What is your favourite part about the Highland Games?
- Are you a part of a pipe band yourself?
- What is your favourite tartan?
- Do you have a favourite piping tune?
Glengarry Highland Games: Gilbert Talks All Things Pipe Bands
While ScotlandShop may have attended Scottish Highland Games before, they have never attended Canadian Highland Games. However, this will all change on Friday as Anna and Emily will be attending the Glengarry Highland Games, loaded with all the tartan you can think of including some special Canadian creations. Piping is a huge part of the games and we chatted to Gilbert, Glengarry's Director of Bands, to find out a little more...
What does your role as director of bands include?
The role of the director of bands is two-fold and is shared with Matt Goral who is Director of the Tattoo Bands who perform on the Friday evening. Matt also assists me on the Saturday when the competing bands are busy competing from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. This year we have 50 bands competing in three circles throughout the day. We coordinate the support and provision of facilities and equipment necessary to accommodate the competitions. This includes judges, stewards, administration of the logistics of prizes and awards. I also serve as the liaison between the Games and the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) who sanction our Games. The Glengarry Highland Games is the home of the North American Pipe Band Championships which consists of five grades. We own that Trade Mark.
How did you first get involved with Glengarry highland games?
As a wee boy, I fell in love with the sound and music of the Great Highland Bagpipe and when the first Highland Games were held in 1948, I was fortunate enough to be present because of the support of my parents ā they also loved the pipes and of course drove me to Maxville.
What is the most rewarding part about your role as director of bands?
Being a part a team of more than 70 directors, there is a great satisfaction in striving to improve the overall efficiency and attraction of the Games. I also get to continue actively playing the pipes and associating with tremendous pipers and bands across North America and from the UK.
When did you first attend a Highland Games?
1948.
What is your favourite part about the Highland Games?
The pipe bands, the solos piping, the variety of events for the young and older, meeting friends, neighbours and acquaintances of various bands from over the years. The people of Glengarry consider it the āhome-comingā of the year.
Are you a part of a pipe band yourself?
Matt and I are both members of the RCMP Pipe Band, National Division, Ottawa. Our Band is one of eight RCMP Pipe Bands across Canada including Halifax NS, Moncton, NB, Montreal QC, Winnipeg, MB, Regina, SK, Edmonton, AB, and Vancouver BC. Our Band is on its way to Edinburgh for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo where it will lead a composite group from our eight bands for the 2019 Tattoo. Matt and I had to stay behind to help run the Glengarry Highland Games. LOL.
What is your favourite tartan?
The āModern or Weathered Youngā. However I am also partial to the, āRCAF Tartanā, since I was a member of the RCAF Pipe Band in Ottawa for 42 years, plus the, āRed Rossā, as I was Pipe Sergeant of the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band for 23 years, and the, āRCMP Tartanā, as I have been Pipe Sergeant in Ottawa for 20 years. Please note that these years are not consecutive. Haha.
Do you have a favourite piping tune?
āThe Roseā, by Amanda McBroom, made famous by Bette Midler.
We would like to say a big thank you to Gilbert for answering all our questions and we look forward to meeting him in person at the Games. If you are attending Glengarry Highland Games this weekend, be sure to hunt down the ScotlandShop tent to either discover what your tartan is or find out what we can make you in your family tartan. Tickets still available on their website.
