Moose Jaw’s proud legacy as “The Band City” continues through the sound of pipes and drums, thanks to a group of young musicians who recently opened their doors to the community.

The White Heather Youth Pipe Band held an open house on Sept. 8 at Pathways School, inviting families to learn more about the instruments, traditions, and opportunities that come with joining a pipe and drum band.

Band director Michelle Carline said the event showcased both experienced players and beginners, with hands-on opportunities for students to try either the drums or the practice chanter, the starter instrument for bagpipes.

“I asked my veteran players who have been in the band a couple of years to come and join us, be there for any questions, and to play their instruments so kids who might be interested in joining could see another student playing as well,” Carline said. Of those invited, one student was able to make it.

Sam Legare, a Grade 6 student in the band, played the tune Scots Wha Hae, a patriotic song that for centuries served as an unofficial Scottish anthem; it has since been largely supplanted by Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland. The lyrics, written by Robert Burns in 1793, imagine Robert the Bruce addressing troops before the Battle of Bannockburn during the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Following Sam’s performance, Carline and drum instructor Brett Stinson demonstrated a contrasting pipe-and-drum piece, The Bride’s Jig, played to a livelier, faster style.

“Sometimes kids come and they’re not sure what they like best, so we give them that opportunity,” Carline said, adding that students get the chance to separately try drumming and piping lessons.

Carline leads the group alongside fellow pipe instructor Angus McIntosh and Stinson, who teaches drumming. The band currently has about 10 students, split evenly between pipes and drums. The band is hoping to grow, and with six new families having attended the open house, it’s a step in the right direction.

“It maybe doesn’t sound like much, but it’s kind of a niche thing that I’m trying to get out there — it doesn’t have to be, and you don’t need to have any Scottish background to play bagpipes. We welcome all cultures and all people,” she said.

Carline, who grew up playing in Moose Jaw’s Sprigs o’ Heather Pipe Band, said piping has given her lifelong friendships and international opportunities.

“Bagpipes have really expanded my world,” she said. “I ended up getting to live in Scotland, and I had a new family once I arrived. ‘Oh, you play bagpipes — come join our band,’ (they said). I travelled to New Zealand … and Australia, and yeah, it has just been an amazing thing for me.”

That sense of connection is something she hopes today’s young players will also experience.

“We used to have two (pipe bands in Moose Jaw), and it would be really nice to get it up and running again and have a continuous flow of players,” Carline said.

The White Heather Youth Pipe Band rehearses Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. at Pathways School, located at 109 Ominica Street West across from the courthouse. The group, now starting its third year, welcomes new players at any time and the band’s season follows the school calendar.

“You don’t have to start right at the beginning. If you show up in the middle of the year, we will lovingly take you in and get you started,” Carline noted.

Band membership is open to students aged eight and over. For more information or to register, contact Michelle Carline by email at MCarline@hotmail.comor by calling or texting 306-690-3525.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express