There are a lot of memories behind the music as the Fergus Pipe Band celebrates its 85th anniversary.
Founded in 1927, the band has a long and proud history bringing the skirl of the bagpipes to the community. Part of that history includes founding band member connections to the Seaforth Highlanders.
Two founders served with the Seaforth Highlanders in the First World War and agreed to adopt the Mackenzie tartan worn by that group. They continue to wear that tartan today.
In the formative years, J.W. (Jack) MacDonald served as piping instructor and acting pipe major, and J.W. Henderson Sr. was drumming instructor.
Beginning in 1930, Thos. Patterson, formerly of the Guelph Pipe Band, assumed the duties of pipe major. Thos. MacDonald, an experienced drummer with highland regiments and a Great War veteran, took over the duties of drumming instructor.
Initially the band paraded in “civies.”
Merchant James Russell provided lumber and a site for the band to raise cash with a refreshment stand in Fergus.
The first parade in full uniform took place in June 1931 when the band led a parade through Fergus.
By 1932, the band was taking part in local competitions.
For decades, it has enjoyed a solid reputation as a street band and has paraded across the province – plus performed in the United States.
When the first Highland Games in Fergus was established in 1946, the band began its long history as being the “hometown” band, playing at the Tattoo, at various events throughout the weekend and competing.
Other highlights include parading at Maple Leaf Gardens in the 1950s; participating in Warriors’ Day parades at the CNE; annually in Remembrance Day and church parades in Elora, Salem and Fergus; and entering competitions in Detroit, Barrie, Orillia, Hanover and Fergus.
The band has also performed at Oktoberfest, the World Lacrosse Championship and as an opening act for Great Big Sea in Fergus in 2005.
Members readily admit the support of the community and Fergus Legion Branch 275 has been an important factor in the band’s success.
The grade 5 band had a successful competition season in 2003, winning first place at the Fergus Highland Games, third at the North American championships in Maxville (north of Cornwall) and winning the Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario’s grade 5 Championship Supreme.
Band historian Dean Percy said since he joined the band in 1982, he has served with seven different pipe majors. He said current pipe major “Jim (Stewart) is one of our best I’ve served under.”
Percy became interested in the bagpipes growing up near Camp Ipperwash and said as a youth in 1942, it was a big deal to hear the Ipperwash Pipe Band. One of his favourite groups shots of the Fergus band was taken in 1984. Only he and Sam Harrop are members from that time.
Percy said Harrop has been in the band since 1969.
Pipe Majors 1927 – present
J.W. (Jack) Macdonald – piping instructor and acting Pipe Major;
Thos. Patterson (1930-1938);
Percy Gibson (1938-1942; 1946-1957; 1970-1978);
Walter (Scotty) Henderson (1942-1946; 1957-1970);
Jim MacKenzie (1978-1984);
Robert Dewar (1984-1997)
Sam Harrop (1997-1999);
Pat Martin (1999-2000);
Scott B. Davidson (2000-2004);
Sean Geddes (2004-2007); and
Jim Stewart (2007-present).
The band today
At a recent practice session at the Fergus Curling Club, Stewart spoke more about the current history of the band.
He said the group’s mission “is to provide a venue for the preservation and continuation of piping and drumming with its rich Scottish heritage and to provide the community with a significant resource for a wide variety of public and private functions.”
Pipe Sergeant Dave Tinsley cited the Seaforth Highlanders connection and said, “That’s why we still wear the kilt we do now – the Mackenzie.”
Though the band played competitively over the years, there has been a shift away from that.
“After 2010 came along, we jumped out of the competition and kept it strictly for fun with performances and parades,” said Stewart.
That approach has seemed to be positive in terms of what members wanted to do. Stewart said the band has seen “big time” growth, as he estimated the it now as about 25 pipers and 15 drummers.
Tinsley said, “For the past couple of years, we’ve been growing in leaps and bounds.”
And with the number of events and performances the group is involved in, quite a bit of coordination is needed.
In the early days, one person could look after the funding and the performances.
Now there is an executive committee and a band manager.
Tinsley said the band continues to be involved in quite a few street parades, plus stand-still and community performances such as the recent Fergus Legion Decoration Day and Relay for Life event in Fergus on June 15.
“We have a very busy schedule,” Tinsley said.
Stewart agreed. “There’s something almost every weekend from June to September.”
Then there is the season of Oktoberfest and Santa Claus parades, then kicking off again in January with Robbie Burns nights, Tinsley added.
“It’s really a year long endeavour,” Stewart laughed.
Plus, there are the practices every Tuesday night.
People might be surprised at the age range and occupation of its members. Three are over 80, while the youngest student is seven.
“And it’s a good cross match of community as well,” Tinsley said.
Member Don McAlpine said he is always surprised by the diverse backgrounds of those involved, which includes retirees, veterinarians, a psychiatrist, pharmacist and a doctor. Plus the band is not just about music, there is the social aspect, Tinsley added.
“When we have gigs, we may all go to a member’s house in town and have a barbecue, or all go for a beer in the pub after. We don’t just practice and play, then disappear. There are good friendships being formed and the families are involved as well.”
Stewart said one gig each year is designated as a family day. “Last year it was the Fireworks Festival in Mount Forest.”
Tinsley said some members do private gigs for weddings, parties and piping in head tables.
“A lot of solo gigs can come out of this,” Stewart added.
Stewart and Tinsley laughed as they were asked what gets a person involved.
Tinsley said, “A lot of people just like the sound of the pipes and [think] ‘I’d like to do that’.”
Stewart added, “It’s a wide variety of background. But we all get along like peas in a pod.”
McAlpine said, “At the end of the day, it’s because you love the pipes.”
Tinsley added, “There’s a big influx after the [Highland] Games because people see us. We do a good performance and people take a fancy to doing that.”
Yet of those joining shortly after the games, there’s a loss of 90%. “People quickly find out it is not an easy instrument to pick up. It takes a lot of dedication.”
Outside of group practice, there is individual practice.
In addition to help from the Fergus Legion, members credit the Fergus Curling Club for providing a venue for weekly practices.
Stewart mentions the work of the group alongside the Fergus Scottish Festival committee.
Tinsley said “Each venue is unique with its own challenges.” With pubs, it can be difficult fitting everyone inside, but Stewart said “Those are the fun ones.”
He said music wise, in addition to more traditional scores, the Fergus Pipe Band does play some rock and roll.
“That really plays up the pub crowd or at a beer tent. All of a sudden people discover we can play that on the bagpipes.”
Tinsley said, “Once people are in the band, and captured by it, they tend to stay.”
Added Stewart, “We’ve classed Don McAlpine, Sam Harrop, Dean Percy and Betty Henderson as the members of the Old Guard when we need any wisdom on the running of the band. We resort to them, and they are the heart, the anchor of the whole band.”
He also cited Bill Longshaw, the official band photographer and honourary president.
Tinsley said Sue Baker puts in a tremendous amount of work as band manager.
“She’s the whole brains of the operation,” Stewart added.
“She keeps us on the straight and narrow,” Tinsley added.
With files from Dean H. Percy, Cindy Lindsay and www.ferguspipeband.com.
