helloSPRING

Well, it’s been a long winter and we are so thankful Spring is finally here! We had a few milestones over the course over the winter. The major one was changing our practice location and day to Wednesdays at the ANAF in Barrie. We are so thankful for the partnership we’ve had with the ANAF over the years, and are happy that the tradition continues.

In January, we held our annual Robbie Burns Night at Liberty North. Every year, the community’s support is overwhelming and with over 200 guests in attendance to this year’s event, we are so grateful for all of our supporters. This is our primary fundraiser, and as a non profit organization, we rely heavily on this event, so again, thank you everyone!

Shortly after our Robbie Burns Night, we announced that our Grade 4 competition band will be traveling to Antigonish, Nova Scotia in July for the Antigonish Highland Games! We are very excited for this opportunity as it is the organizations first time attending. We will still be competing at most of the Ontario games as well, but we wanted to branch out and who doesn’t love going on a trip?! Keep an eye out on our website within the events listing for the games nearest you, and we hope to see you out this summer!

With the competition band in mind, they have been busy practicing and rehearsing for their upcoming season. We are very excited to be back on the competition circuit after taking last season off. That being said, the first competition of the season will be this upcoming Saturday at the Toronto Indoors, held at Moss Park. If you are in the Toronto area, this is a great opportunity to hear solo competitors as well as all level of bands compete. We are looking forward to seeing familiar faces and making new friends this season.

We hope you will continue to follow along either on our website, or on either Facebook or Instagram and if you ever see us out and about, make sure you say hi! There’s nothing we love more than connecting with members of the community.

See you soon!

Ang

Full band performance with dancers of Miller School of Highland Dance at our Robbie Burns Night

Falling into Winter.....

To say our Autumn was a busy one, would be an understatement. We had a great turn out for our Open House which welcomed both new students as well as players that might have been on a break for awhile. We are settling in with our new group and are excited for the season to come.

We’ve attended a few events as well, including the Elmvale Fall Fair and the Remembrance Day Service in Barrie. The ceremony on November 11th was especially important as not only was it the first service at the newly constructed Memorial Square and Meridian Place, but it was also the 100th Year of Armistice Day. We were honoured to march on the Colour Party, troops and veterans. If you missed the service, you can watch at https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/we-remember-ceremony-held-for-veterans-in-barrie-1.4172459

We also have photos posted on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/barriepipesanddrums/

Looking ahead, we have a busy Winter scheduled starting off with the Holiday Parades. Please check our Events page for all the listings, and we hope to see you out celebrating the Christmas season.

Another fun event we are looking forward to, is the Highland Christmas Tea & Market hosted by our friends at Miller School of Highland Dance. On December 9th it will be an afternoon of tea, coffee, desserts, highland dancing, pipe band playing and crafts - what more could you ask for?! Visit the event listing at https://www.facebook.com/events/1989399134442820/ for ticket information.

Save the date, January 26th will be our Annual Robbie Burns Night. Stay tuned for details as they will be coming out in the next few weeks.

We hope everyone has had an enjoyable fall, but before hibernating for winter, we do hope to see you at one of the community events!

Ang

2018 Elmvale Fall Fair

2018 Remembrance Day Service. Photo by Mark Wanzel https://www.markwanzelphotography.com

If Not Now, Then When?

Performing at the Orillia Scottish Festival, July 2018

As we head into the last few days of Summer, it is hard to not look back at the summer and reflect.  Did we take enough time to spend time with friends and family and enjoy the little things, or were we still caught up in work, chores and running the kids back and forth from camp and soccer?  It's so easy to let time slip away and for us to forget to take a moment for ourselves.  With September knocking at our front door, this is when we feel a need for a fresh start.  Kids are going back to school, crisper mornings as we head out the door and Starbucks bringing back the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte.  So this, I ask you...the ones who have always watched a pipe band on parade and that voice in the back of your head whispering, "How cool would that be?".  Or maybe you've watched a local Highland Games and witnessed first hand the anticipation of a pipe band stepping onto the field for competition and battle over the day's trophy and thought, "What a team to be a part of!".  Maybe you played bagpipes or drums back when you were younger and they've sat in the closet for a few years.  For all of you, I say, if not now, then when?  Now is the opportunity to finally take time for yourself and listen to that voice in the back of your head and come see what we are all about.  Join us at our Open House, come meet our instructors and leaders see how we practice and learn how you can be a part of our organization.  We offer free, weekly bagpipe and drumming lessons.  And for those who are seasoned, we offer no membership fees and your uniform is supplied.  

If Not Now, Then When?

-Ang