Two Grade 1 pipe bands from B.C. - both with strong connections to the Tri-Cities - placed in the finals in last weekend's World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland.
The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band (SFUPB) claimed fourth prize at the Glasgow Green on Sunday, following Field Marshal Montgomery (North Ireland), Boghall and Bathgate (Scotland) and Scottish Power (Scotland).
Overall, SFMPB earned 37 points while the Port Coquitlam-based Dowco Triumph Street Band - led by pipe major David Hilder and pipe sergeant Shaunna Hilder - took 77 points and came in at 10th place after the March, Strathspey and Reel and Medley program scores were totalled.
"Not what we came for but we're in the prizes," said SFUPB major Terry Lee, a Coquitlam resident, in an SFU news release.
Added pipe sergeant Jack Lee: "Disappointing but we have been here for 32 years and this isn't our lowest point by any means. We can say the [rainy] weather was a factor, but the Montgomery band is great and they had two great performances today.
"There are few bands in the world who can beat Montgomery and I know we're one of them. So we'll be back," Jack Lee said.
Last year, SFUPB, a six-time championship winner, placed third behind the Montgomery band and Scottish Power while Dowco had an eighth-place finish. Both bands each have around a dozen participating Tri-City residents.
SFUPB managed a few other successes during the contest last week:
Jack Lee won the Masters Invitational Solo Piping contest in Glasgow, meaning he earns an invitation to the Glenfiddich Championship in Scotland in October;
drum major Jason Paguio won his fourth world title;
and piper Andrew Bonar took the trophy as best overall piper from a field of more than 50 competitors at the Perth Highland Games.
SFUPB veteran Scottish member, piper Robert Mathieson, also showcased his paintings of famous pipers and drummers during an art exhibition kicking off Piping Live.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
