The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band

The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band
Canada's Oldest Civilian Pipe Band, Founded in 1896

The first Pipe Band to be heard in the Nation's capital on Burns night, 1896.
Under the direction of Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion, the Sons of Scotland compete at the Grade 4 and Grade 5 levels and perform in some 50 concerts and parades throughout the year. We are committed to developing the talent of each of our members, producing quality music, and having a great deal of fun. The band is proud to be affiliated with the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland.
Patron  - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. - Governor General of Canada 

 Photo of the Governor General of Canada - Michaelle Jean

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
Son Excellence la très honorable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., gouverneure générale et commandante en chef du Canada
The Sons of Scotland are pleased to announce that the Governor General of Canada, 
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, has agreed to accept the invitation extended by the band to become its Patron.  Her Excellency recognizes the success and dedication of the Sons of Scotland and, as Canada's oldest civilian Pipe Band, the members are very pleased and proud to issue this wonderful announcement.
Ottawa, 2009

 Her Majesty The Queen and Princess Beatrice meet with Pipe Major
Bethany Bisaillion and the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band and MacCulloch
Dancers, and highland dancers from Ottawa schools at Balmoral Castle,
August, 2005

  For more information about the band, information on joining, contact our Pipe Major, Bethany Bisaillion.  To book the band for a performance or parade, please contact our Band Manager, Bob Derry at robert.derry@ocdsb.ca


The Ottawa City Piping College

 

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. 
Directors of the College include Lachlann Bisaillion and Megan Towsley 
Honorary Board Member 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 Ty Fry Percussion and John Walsh Bagpipes.

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


Events, Gigs and Good Fellowship

Pipefest 2010 Canada takes place in Ottawa on Saturday, August 7 on Parliament Hill.  Massed highland fling, parade with local pipe bands, and so much more in an amazing event in support of the Pipefest 2010 Global Piping Intiative with parades taking place in Edinburgh, Hong Kong, New York and Sydney - all to raise £500 000 for cancer charities worldwide.  The Ottawa event is in support of the Canadian Cancer Society - register with us today at www.pipefest.com/canada 

 

The Sons of Scotland are pleased and proud to present the introduction to their program of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to recognize and celebrate the work and dedication of the young people in our organization.

 

 

  The Gaelic Hour with Austin Comerton
Visit CHIN FM in Ottawa at 97.9 and enjoy the show on all things Celtic and Irish with your host Austin Comerton, Sundays from 8 to 10 am 
 

 
We thank the kind people of the Scottish Banner who help promote
all things Celtic worldwide and are a great supporter of the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band!  Be sure to visit their site often to check out updates and enjoy terrific stories from the homeland

The band is proud to call Greg and Ingrid MacPherson their friends and kind supporters, and we appreciate their efforts to help fundraiser for pipe bands, and to provide a great source of information on their website at Keltic Nations.  Check them out often!

 Check out Piping World for all the news and information on the UK piping scene.


News ~ Actuelles ~ Na Naidheachdan
Award Nomination - Wednesday, March 03, 2010

The band is proud to be nominated by the City of Ottawa for a Community Activism Group Award for their hard work in 2009.

 
Scotland meets India - Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Sons proudly play at a Hope for Haiti fundraiser held at the Rinag Banquet Hall and are joined by Indian dhol drummer Jivan Dulku for an amazing rendition of traditional Scottish music with a true Indian touch ~ see the video on our Photo Album link ~ follow the You Tube link!

 
Pipefest Patronage - Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The band is proud to announce its 2nd official Patron for Pipefest - Canada's Governor General Michalle Jean. Welcome to our wonderful Governor General.

 
Haiti Fundraiser - Monday, February 08, 2010

The band is playing for a fundraiser for Haiti on February 20 along with Indian drumming - an awesome combination!

 
First Official Patron for Pipefest 2010 - Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion is proud to announce the first official Patron for Pipefest 2010 Canada - our own Prime Minister Stephen Harper. We are pleased to have his support and thank him for taking part. 
New Honorary Patron for Pipefest - Friday, January 29, 2010

The 4th Honorary Patron for Pipefest is confirmed: former Chief of Defense Staff General John de Chastelain who kicks off the fundraising effort with a kind and generous donation.  He is joined by the Right Honorable Flora MacDonald in supporting this wonderful endeavour.

 
New Honorary Patron for Pipefest - Thursday, January 28, 2010
Pipefest 2010 Canada is pleased to announce its 3rd Honorary Patron - Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien. Welcome aboard Mayor O'Brien! 
Annual General Meeting Held - Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion, Treasurer Lochie Bisaillion, Secretary Mary Byford and Band Manager Bob Derry are all voted in for another term in their positions at the band's annual AGM. Congratulations and thanks for all your hard work to the Sons Executive. 
Robbie Burns' Day - Monday, January 25, 2010
Happy Robbie Burns Day to everyone; the band marks Burns Day and its 114th anniversary today. A magnificent show Saturday night at the annual Burns dinner for our Benevolent Association kicks off another wonderful year with great things to look forward to. Thanks to everyone who played, and all the people in the audience who were most kind. We shall do it again next year! 
Happy Hogmanay! - Friday, January 01, 2010
A very happy Hogmanay to everyone from your friends in the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band! Check out our new videos from YouTube posted onto the band's Photo Album page. Come back for updates. Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion has been invited to work with the Ottawa Youth Harp Ensemble to combine pipes and harps-a great new component to the Mac An Alba group! 
Honorary Patrons for Pipefest - Friday, December 18, 2009
2 Honorary Patrons named for Pipefest Canada.....Kevin MacLeod, Usher of the Black Rod and Canadian Secretary to the Queen of Canada, and Ms. Grete Hale, Chairman Emeritus of Morrison Lamothe -welcome aboard to these 2 wonderful people and supporters of the Celtic arts. 

Our Sponsors and Affiliates

Ottawa City Piping College

The Ottawa City Piping College 
Youth Pipe Band

The Ottawa City Piping College's directors have put together a concept to support the great talent and dedication of younger players in the Ottawa region.  They are assembling a group of pipers and drummers to take a trip to the World Pipe Band Championships in 2011 in the Novice Juvenile grade.  All members are required to be under the age of 18, must travel with a parent, and a full itinerary of shows and touring time will be planned for the group.  They will travel with the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, and have the opportunity to take in classes and recitals at the College of Piping in Glasgow.  Please contact the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band if you want more information on this exciting new opportunity marking the 115th Anniversary of the band,  and which will be run by Pipe Major Lochie Bisaillion.  For more information, please contact us at sospb@sospb.com    We welcome your enquiries and ideas!


Drop Us A Line!




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The Ottawa Celtic Arts Community

 

Our own Celtic network!

If you are looking for a solo piper, drummer, mini band or full pipe band or highland dancer to make your event special, drop us a line at sospb@sospb.com  The Sons have an extensive network of friends in the Celtic community outside Ottawa to help you with your occasion, and we work with other musical styles too for all kinds of interesting collaborations. Get in touch anytime.

Band Members!

We now have members-only pages on our web site.  If you haven't done so already, please register an account on the site by clicking the "Register" link on the top of this page.  Your identity will be verified and your account will be activated within a couple of days.  If you have any trouble with this process, please leave us a message in the "Drop Us A Line" box above and we'll contact you.


March 10, 2010