Canadian Experiences – 30th August 2011
Two of our members have just returned from their experiences with Canadian bands.
Nicola Purvis was invited to play with the SFU Band for a season last year and so, after a busy time learning all of their current concert and competition repertoire, left in April to spend 6 months in Vancouver with the band. A very busy schedule of practise, contests and parades ensued in addition to assisting with tutoring the Robert Malcolm Memorial Band’s tenor section and a number of seminars and workshops. The culmination of this experience was travelling to Glasgow with the band to compete at the World Championships where they achieved 2nd place. Nicola has been invited to join them for another season in 2012.
Angus Crowe also left for Canada in June to attend the Piping Hot Summer Drummer summer school which is run by the SFU Band. Angus was awarded a scholarship to attend this but also decided to extend his trip for the experience and was put in touch with the New Westminster Pipe Band who are a grade 2 band. Whilst in Canada he attended 5 contests with the band which was undefeated in all including the North American Championship at Maxville.