Established 1975 Grade 3 and 4 Sponsor Calgary Police Service | Location Calgary, Alberta Website CPSPB website | |
Tartan Prince Charles Edward Stuart | ||
Since its first public performance leading the 1975 Calgary Stampede Parade, the Calgary Police Service Pipe Band has represented the City of Calgary and the Calgary Police Service by performing across Canada, the United States, and Europe.
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Today, the Band has more than 50 pipers, drummers, and dancers and continues to perform annually at a wide variety of events including Calgary Police Service functions, municipal and provincial events, parades, and highland games. The Band performs with the permission of its Colonel-in-Chief, Chief of Police Paul Cook.
History and traditions
The band was modeled after other successful police service pipe bands, notably that of the Edinburgh Police.
The band performed at the 1989 Nova Scotia International Tattoo.
Pipe Major Bill Crabbe composed a tune specifically for the band to use as its own signature tune, entitled "The Calgary City Police Pipe Band". The band refers to it as a "regimental march", betraying the British military influence on the band. This heritage is further reflected in the full Scottish ceremonial dress adopted, as well as the lesser orders of dress.
In full dress, all musicians wear the feather bonnet headdress, with wool doublet, plaid and kilt in Prince Charles Edward Stuart tartan. A modified CPS service dress jacket "cut-away" in Highland style to accommodate the sporran is worn for lesser occasions, and shirt-sleeve order is worn in summer or on occasions permitting it. A glengarry with distinctive black-and-white dice design is worn with the CPS cap badge in all orders of dress not calling for the feather bonnet.
Regular events
The band performs annually in the Calgary Stampede Parade, having attended every one since the inception of the organization.
The band regularly competes at local Highland games such as the Canmore Highland Games every Labour Day weekend.
The band is also used for CPS ceremonial events, including award ceremonies and graduation parades.
Two annual dinners are held, one for Robert Burns night, a tradition since 1976, and another "Mess Dinner" in military style to recognize the contributions of the membership of the Pipe Band.
Style
Unlike military pipes and drums, the group is officially styled Calgary Police Service Pipe Band.