The Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band encourages beginners and youth to join its complimentary music program, aiming to preserve the group’s renowned musical legacy. The initiative, named Big Noise, was established in 2013 to address the band’s aging membership demographic, as highlighted by David Hunter, a retired detective staff sergeant and long-serving drum major for the band.
The band is actively seeking new and younger members to ensure the continuation of its traditions and heritage. The music program is inclusive, welcoming adults and individuals without prior musical experience, such as NRPS Constable Richard Hingley, who is currently training to become the band’s new drum major.
Hingley expressed the rewarding aspect of being part of the band, emphasizing the strong sense of community and familial bond among its members. The program is accessible to local youth, offering free music lessons with provided instruments and uniforms to eliminate financial barriers commonly associated with music education.
Volunteer instructors like NRPS Constable Jessica Martin, who honed her drumming skills through the band, contribute to the program’s success. The band has a rich history of performances across various regions, including Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Scotland, the birthplace of bagpipes.
Having started competing in 1994, the Niagara police band achieved significant recognition by securing second place in the Grade 2 division at the 1998 World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland. In addition to participating in regional events like the Grape & Wine Festival and police funerals, the band offers local youth like Alexander Fleming and Callum Sanderson a platform to explore and embrace their musical talents.
Fleming, now a proficient bass drummer at 15, credits the program for his musical development and cultural expression. Similarly, 10-year-old Sanderson, following a family tradition, began his musical journey with the band, demonstrating a remarkable proficiency in playing the bagpipes.
The band’s commitment to nurturing young talent extends to accepting instrument donations and recycling old equipment to support its students’ musical endeavors.