The Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association will be holding their annual Robbie Burns Dinner on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at The Delta Ottawa City Centre Hotel, 101 Lyon Street   The evening begins with a Traditional Burns Supper.  The “formal” part of the evening will include: piping in the Head Table; addressing the haggis in Burns’s “ain mither tongue”; proposing toasts to the Queen, the Homeland, and the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns.  After dinner enjoy Songs of Burns and Other Scottish Favourites.  Our soloists are Garth Hampson and Shawne Elizabeth.  They will be accompanied on the piano by Saundra Vandenberg  We shall also enjoy The Sons of Scotland Pipes and Drums who have visited Scotland on many occasions. This evening they will be accompanied by highland dancers.  Then it’s on with the Dancing, beginning with the Grand March.  We are pleased to have back with us Monterey, the big band sound that was so much enjoyed last year.  The band will play for our dancing pleasure until midnight.  They have a repertoire of ballroom dancing favourites; and they also include an array of Scottish dances, so much enjoyed by our attendees.  It is impossible to find elsewhere an evening of first class entertainment, excellent food, and traditional Scottish friendliness for: $60.00.  All tickets are reserved and seating will be eight at a table.  To order: Telephone: (613) 521-5625 or E-mail sosburns2012@gmail.com   Messages with phone number, name, date and time will be called back A.S.A.P.  Visit www.sonsofscotland.com for more information on the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association.                      

For lessons in piping and drumming at all levels, contact the Ottawa City Piping College
Director Bethany Bisaillion at bethany.bagpipes@sympatico.ca . She has achieved the Level 4 Certificate of Piping, the Tutor Certificate, Performers Certificate, Pipe Major's Course Certificate, and the Certificate for Level 1 Drumming.  Ms. Bisaillion is the examiner for Levels 1 through 4 in piping, and local teacher and piping adjudicator Brian Williamson is examiner for Levels 5 through 8. The Drumming Examiner is Drew Duthart, Lead Drummer of the 78th Frasers from Toronto.
Directors of the College include Lachlann Bisaillion and Megan Bisaillion. Honorary Board Member is Mr. John de Chastelain, OC,CH,CMM,CD    All ages and skill levels are welcome, and classes take place all year.
Visit the College of Piping website at www.college-of-piping.co.uk for information on the curriculum, examinations and opportunities to study in Scotland.  Their shop and staff are superb and their online catalogue is available to customers worldwide.  Excellence and great friendship guaranteed.   The Ottawa City Piping College is pleased to announce that it is now a dealer for John Walsh Bagpipes.

Beginner drum lessons are available, free of charge, at practice each Monday from 6:30 to 7:15 pm.
Please contact Cory Hilliard details on this program directed by Drumming Instructors David Nuttall, Megan Bisaillion and Cory Hilliard.  The drum corps of the Sons use Duthart Percussion sticks.  Email Cory at coryhilliard@ymail.com  Sticks, pad and enthusiasm are a requirement, teaching excellence and good fellowship a guarantee!

The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band were first heard in Ottawa in 1896 performing on behalf of their Benefactors, the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association as part of their organization.  The band is also known as Camp Argyll Number 26.  In 2011, the band celebrates its 115th year, and as Canada's oldest civilian pipe band, they are pleased to be receiving letters of recognition from many prominent Canadians including Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper, The Honourable James Moore  Minister of Canadian Heritage, The Honourable Jason Kenney Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Mayor of Ottawa Jim Watson.
 

We're proud to have been awarded an Ontario Trillium grant for 2012!