CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND - Stuart Aumonier, a member of the Grade Three band, returned to Scotland in mid-September to compete at the annual Scottish Junior Solo Championships, held at the seaside village and golf mecca of Carnoustie.

Competing against the top young pipers in Scotland, as well as pipers from around the world, Aumonier placed 7th in the Piobaireachd in a field of more than 40. 

This was the second year Aumonier has competed at the junior championships, travelling as he did in 2004 with his father Peter, the pipe-major of the Grade Three band and a veteran of Scottish solo contests.

LIGONIER, PENNSYLVANIA - The Grade Five band, made up heavily by novices in their first year of competition, topped 14 bands from the northeastern US and Ohio Valley region to win the Ligonier Highland Games, outside Pittsburgh.

The band's drum corps, including four tenors all playing in one of their first competitions, also took top honours, driven by lead drummer Jacob Pritchett. The judges gave the musicians first and fifth in piping, first in drumming and first in ensemble.

The overall band is led by Pipe-Major Don Forgan, who provided many of the young pipers with their introduction to pipes just months earlier. Congratulations to all on a phenomenal wrap-up to the season.

In solo piping, Zach Lindeman placed fourth in the Grade 4 Jr. solo march competition at Ligonier.  It was his first time competing at the Grade 4 level.

HAMILTON - The band's successes in Canada have stimulated a lot of press attention in the days after returning from Scotland.

The band was featured in front page story and photo in the hometown Hamilton Spectator, with lead drummer John Gaudet in full competition gear and drum, leaping in the air (he did it countless times for the photographer before one shot was deemed just right).

The band also received substantial coverage in the Burlington Post and Dundas Star, as well as in the Saint John (NB) Telegraph Journal, Gaudet's hometown.

While the recognition has been great, the real benefit is the raised profile that within days started attracting interested novice and experienced musicians.

PERTH, SCOTLAND - The Grade Three band wrapped up its Scotland trip by placing second to 2005 juvenile world champion Robert Malcolm Memorial at the Perth Highland Games in central Scotland on August 14. The band won the drumming, it's third win of four Grade Three performances while in Scotland.

The band also played up in Grade Two, and finished fourth behind Drambuie Kirkliston, which won the Grade Two world title a day earlier. The drum line was judged second overall.

The band members had a great time blowing off steam and enjoying one final Scottish highland games experience before breaking off, some heading home and others extending their vacations into England, North Ireland and continental Europe.

On this last day, some of the kids (see right) jumped into a circle that surrounded the Royal Army of Oman band, playing an exotic, beat-driven set of tunes. They danced and had a blast. A few of the adults found themselves sharing drams of fine whisky with some particularly welcoming locals.

Everyone was sad to go home, and all agreed all the work, fundraising and endless repetitions of the same medley were worth it.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - The Grade Three band's drum corps won the world championship at the Grade 3B level at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on August 13th. The snare drummers topped a huge international field.

The overall band finished 9th, taking low marks from one of the two piping judges. Pipe Major Peter Aumonier said it was the band's best overall performance all year, calling it flawless, and was therefore puzzled by the marks.

The winning band was a very good Annsborough Pipe Band from Northern Ireland. Hearty congratulations to them and the other bands who made for a tremendous contest!

The band plays in Perth on August 14th, wrapping up a very successful first foray into Scotland.

BRIDGE OF ALLAN, SCOTLAND - The Grade Three band finished seventh in a large international field at the Bridge of Allan Highland Games on August 7th.

The band was ranked 10th by the lone piping judge and third by the drumming judge. There was no ensemble judge. The event was won by the Robert Malcolm Memorial Band from Vancouver.

Band members were disappointed by the results, after a lengthy string of strong results, but will benefit from learning it will take more hard work this week to result in a strong showing at the world's this Saturday.

NORTH BERWICK, SCOTLAND - The Grade Three band had a tremendous warm-up Aug. 6th for the upcoming World Championships, winning the Grade Three event at the North Berwick Highland Games, east of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The band won the event over a large international field, including the top Grade 3A band in Scotland.

Pipe Major Peter Aumonier described the win as one of the biggest in the band's long history. The band put out 20 pipers and a full drum line. It also played up in Grade Two, coming in 7th.

The band, which is staying and rehearsing in Glasgow, plays August 7th at the Bridge of Allan games in nearby Stirling.

MAXVILLE - Stuart Aumonier, a piper in the Grade Three band, won the Grade Five solo drumming title at the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario.

A long-time piper, Aumonier started doubling up on the drums about a year ago. He also placed in several Grade Two solo piping contests at Maxville.

Jacob Pritchett was third in the Grade Four solo drumming contest, while his sister Meghan was third in novice tenor drumming. Kelsey Symington placed in her Grade Three piping contests.

The bulk of the Grade Three band remained at home, preparing to travel to Glasgow August 2nd. The band will next compete at the highland games in North Berwick, Scotland on June 6th.

CAMBRIDGE - Several band members braved a Noah's Ark-calibre deluge to compete in solo events at the Cambridge Highland Games on July 16th.

Jacob Pritchett won the Grade 4 solo drumming, while a multi-tasking Stuart Aumonier placed second in Grade 5 drumming, and also had medal placings in a pair of senior level piping events. Jamie Watson was second in Grade 2 drumming.

In piping, Kelsey Symington was second in Junior Amateur Piobaireachd. Emma Watson was a medalist in a pair of Grade 2 contests.

CHATHAM - The Grade Three band won its third successive contest July 9th at the Tartan-Sertoma Highland Games in Chatham, playing again in sweltering conditions.

The band split the piping contest with a very strong Durham Regional Police band, and won the drumming.

The contest marked the last appearance for the band on the 2005 PPBSO contest schedule. The band is not attending Maxville or Montreal, as its members will be leaving at the end of that long weekend for Glasgow, Scotland. Its members will still be in Scotland during the Fergus and Sarnia events.

In solos, Scott Haynes won the Grade 2 Jig contest. Several other members went home as silver and bronze medalists, including Stuart Aumonier (two in Grade 2 piping, one in Grade 5 snare drums), Kelsey Symington (three in piping), Mitch Taylor, Matt MacPhail, Jacob Pritchett, Meghan Pritchett, Kevin Shortt, Ryan Robertson, Jennifer Borysko, Shona Borysko and Nathaniel Trotter.

KINCARDINE - The Grade Three band won its second successive contest July 2 at the Kincardine Highland Games, playing under brilliant blue skies in the old lakeside town's market square.

The band won the piping contest as well as ensemble, and was second in drumming. Pipe-Major Peter Aumonier fielded all but one of his pipers, putting 20 of them into the competition circle. The band has now won three of its first four contests as a Grade Three unit.

In solo piping, Kelsey Symington won her Amateur Piobaireachd competition and Claire Smith finished second in her level. Stuart Aumonier won the Grade 2 March, while Scott Haynes picked up medals in three Grade Two solo contests. Grade Five band member Andrew Sandison placed in his solo march.

In drumming, Meghan Pritchett won the novice tenor drumming, Elizabeth Aumonier was second and Kolton Stewart was third. Jacob Pritchett was third in Grade Four snare. In professional, Jennifer Borysko was second.

On the bass, Cameron Trotter was third in professional, while Ryan Robertson won the novice group.

The Grade Five band did not compete at this event.

ANCASTER - The Grade Three band won its third straight Canadian Pipe Band Championship, and its first as a Grade Three unit, at the Hamilton Highland Games in Ancaster, Ontario on June 25th.

The Grade Five band also had a strong day, finishing third in a large field.

In solos, Scott Haynes won the Intermediate Amateur Piobaireachd.  Stuart Aumonier won the Grade Five drumming title, and also placed in a number of Grade 2 level piping contests. Claire Smith also placed in Grade One piping, as did Emma Watson in Grade Two. Alec Rogers and Zach Lindeman from the Gr. 5 band placed in the Grade 5 Solo March.

In drumming, Jacob Pritchett won Grade Four solos and his little sister Meghan Pritchett won the novice tenor drumming. Kevin Shortt placed in both Grade Two snare contests, while Jamie Watson was third in Grade One. Amy Borysko was third in Grade 3 snare drum and Jennifer Borysko was second in professional tenor drumming. Cameron Trotter was second in professional bass drumming and Ryan Robertson was second at the novice level.

Next up, Kincardine on July 2nd.

GEORGETOWN - The Grade Three band finished second to a very talented Durham Police band at the Georgetown Highland Games, the opening event on the PPBSO's highland games circuit. It was the band's first full test as a Grade Three unit, since being upgraded from Grade Four over this past winter.

The Grades Four and Five bands did not compete at the limited field event.

In solos, Scott Haynes won two of three Grade Two piping contests, as well as the Intermediate Amateur Piobaireachd. Daniel Little, also of the Grade Three Band, won the Novice Piobaireachd. Stuart Aumonier placed in numerous Grade 2 piping contests and doubled up by placing third in Grade Five snare drumming. Zach Lindeman, of the Grade Five band, won the Grade Five solo march.

In drumming, Jacob Pritchett won Grade Four solos, Amy Borysko was third in Grade 3 and Jennifer Borysko won professional tenor drumming. Cameron Trotter was third in professional bass drumming.

Next up, the Canadian championships in Ancaster.

KINGSTON - A very young Grade Five band, featuring many musicians playing their first-ever outdoor competition, finished second at the Kingston CeltFest on May 28th.

The young band, led by Pipe Major Don Forgan, finished third in a field of nine bands. Congratulations to Don and the musicians for seeing patience and hard work pay dividends so quickly.

It was also a good day for the Grade Three band, playing in its first competition since being upgraded from Grade Four. A split band finished first and third in the mini-band format. The winning group was led by Stuart Aumonier, besting his Pipe Major dad, Peter Aumonier, who led the other mini-band.

In all, there were 19 bands at the contest, some of them split groups. The Penatangore Pipe Band won the Grades Four and Five contests.

In solos, Alastair Rathbone won Grade Four piping, while Scott Pollock, Lauren MacPhail and Stuart Aumonier all had top three placings. Jacob Pritchett won his first contest as a Grade Four drummer, while Amy Borysko was third in her group.

LONDON - Tenor drummers from as far afield as Mexico, including a large contingent from the Hamilton Police Pipe Band, gathered at a spring tenor drumming seminar in London.

Instructors included drummers Tyler Fry and Emily McLeod and piper Bob Worrall.

The team's two coaches, Danny MacIntyre and Kyle Robertson, played on the Under 17 team that won the Under-17 House League Championship.

HAMILTON - The very new and young Grade Five Band played outside the rehearsal hall for the first time on Easter Weekend, at a neighborhood gathering in the Hamilton Beach area, near the band's winter rehearsal facility.

The band, with the assistance of some more seasoned players, played some tunes as the Easter
Bunny was led into a park, where kids went on an Easter Egg Hunt.

The band consists primarily of novice musicians, particularly youngsters, and is led by Pipe Major Don Forgan. More kids, on the pipes or drums, are welcomed and instruction is provided.

The Grade One event was won by Sean Donaldson of Toronto Police, while Blair Brown of House of Edgar Shotts and Dykehead, the famed Scottish Grade One pipe band, won the open title. His brother, Graham, finished second.

HAMILTON - Fans and friends of the Hamilton Police Pipe Band packed a local legion hall March 11th to hear the Grade Three band at a fundraising pub night.

About 250 turned up to support the Grade Three band in its efforts to travel to Glasgow for the World Pipe Band Championships this summer. The silent auction tables were jammed with items donated by individuals and areas businesses, as well as yet more items used in raffles. The net result was a huge success both in entertainment value, and in cash proceeds.

The event was organized by Linda Aumonier, Tina MacPhail and Russ Hamilton, and all the money used will help defray the enormous costs of getting the 30-plus musicians to Scotland and back, as well as house them for two weeks.

The band is now putting the final pieces together for a pair of public raffles. Watch for details soon.