About the CPS
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Pipe Band Trivia
The band's most memorable performances
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Glasgow 's George Square with the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band |
For many band members and dancers, the highlight of the 2004 tour of Scotland , England , and France was the performance at Glasgow 's George Square with the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. For many members of the CPSPB, the opportunity to perform with a world-class Grade One pipe band was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The Band was also very fortunate to have had the opportunity to perform just after sunrise on Juno Beach , 60 years to the hour after the first wave of Canadian heroes landed on D-Day in the Second World War (June 6, 1944).
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Calgary Police Service Pipe Band performed at a memorial service at the Bergen-Op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery |
During the 2001 tour of the Netherlands , the Calgary Police Service Pipe Band performed at a memorial service at the Bergen-Op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery . Dutch civic officials presented band members with medals of thanks for the contribution of Canadian soldiers during WWII.
The Western United States Pipe Band Championships and Tattoo in Estes Park , Colorado in 2000 was another memorable performance. At that time the Pipe Band placed second in the band competition. In 1989 the Calgary Police Service Pipe Band traveled to Halifax to perform in the Nova Scotia Tattoo. This event marked the first occasion the band performed before such large crowds at a professional event.
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Canmore Highland Games Ceilidh in 2005 |
The band's best performance
All members agree that the best performance was at the Canmore Highland Games Ceilidh in 2005 when the band was featured during the evenings events.
The band's most difficult performance
There is no doubt that the band's most difficult performance was the 1991 Grey Cup Parade in Winnipeg . With the wind chill, the temperature hovered near minus 35C. The band performed for the full length of the parade with cold fingers and steam rising from the pipes. It was not until the parade had ended that band members discovered that they had been the only band that had performed for the crowd. All of the others stopped playing once passed the television crews in the first block of the parade route.
The longest distance the band has ever had to march for a performance
The band participated in the Portland Oregon Rose Festival Parade on seven occasions during 1980s and early 1990s. The parade route is eight kilometers in length.
Equipment costs
Bagpipes range in price from approximately $1,500 to $10,000. The highest-priced instruments are constructed of ivory, engraved silver, and African blackwood. Drums, including snare, tenor, and bass, range from $600 to $1,200. The cost of the complete uniform worn by Calgary Police Service Pipe Band members is approximately $5,000. Pipers must supply their own bagpipes. The band, however, supplies drums.
Do you have to be a police officer to join the band?
No, any accomplished player can join the Calgary Police Service Pipe Band.
Private functions
The Calgary Police Service Pipe Band will perform at private functions. Often, only a single piper or a small performing group is required.
If you would like more information about the Calgary Police Service Pipe Band, contact Pipe Major Mack W. Shortt at (403) 206-2018 or (403) 620-1306. Email inquires should be sent to mack1944@telus.net.
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