Vancouver Police Pipe Band
and Tartan Pride Create 'Pure Magic'
By JIM MCWILLIAMS
VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Police Pipe Band and Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team will join forces for several ventures in 2009. No doubt for most members this year's highlight will be their visit to Portugal in April and May.
The local ensemble's invitation to Arrentala came as a result of their performances in Albertville, France, in the summer of 2007 at the Festival international de Musiques militaires.
Bands from nine countries paraded at the biggest show of its kind in France. But only the Vancouver Police Pipe Band act combined choreographed Highland dancing with the Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team.
Standing ovations were the norm when Tartan Pride joined the Vancouver Police Pipe Band before the capacity audiences.
During this exciting week a strong friendship blossomed between the Canadians and the Band of the Portuguese Air Force. Hours of unscheduled ceilidh music was one result. The invitation to join the Air Force Band in their home country was another.
The VPPB and Tartan Pride also represented Canada at Festival Internationale di Bande Militari in Modena Italy in 2007.
One official described their performance as "pure magic." Pipe Major Cal Davis of the Vancouver Police Pipe Band and Joan Murray, the director of Tartan Pride, but popularly known as "the Dance Major," intend to recreate the "pure magic" in Portugal this spring.
Although small bagpipes are a popular folk instrument in Portugal, nothing like the Vancouver Police Pipe Band in full dress exists there. Needless to say, there is absolutely nothing like Tartan Pride Highland Dance Team in the Iberian nation.
Eighty-three bands have performed at the Arrentela Festival over the years, but the Vancouver Police and Tartan Pride will be the first-ever Canadian performers. They will also be the first Pipe Band and the first Highland Dance Team to take part.
Both groups have considerable international experience having also performed in Scotland, France, Austria, and Holland, as well as numerous North American venues.
The two local groups have often combined to perform locally: The British Columbia Highland Games in Coquitlam, "Pipes By The Sea" held annually at Ambleside Park in North Vancouver, various police functions such as The North American Police Chief's Conference and the Vancouver Policeman's Ball, as well as numerous concerts and charity events.
Anyone wishing to enjoy a sampling of the combined show is invited to attend Tartan Pride's annual "Celtic Night" held this year in Shannon Hall, Cloverdale, on February 21 which will also include the rousing music of Skystone. Tickets are available by calling (604) 576-1619.
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