Youth pipe band keeps Scottish heritage alive for nearly 70 years

Members of the Lord Selkirk RFM Pipe Band play together on Jan. 18, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News Winnipeg)

It’s not every day you come across a band of young bagpipers, but in Manitoba, one group has kept the spirit of Scotland in tune for nearly seven decades.

The Lord Selkirk RFM Pipe Band was started in 1957 by Bob Fraser. Over time, what began as an all-boys band with pencils as pipes quickly developed into a co-ed musical collective.

“The premise of the band is that it doesn’t matter what background you come from,” said Dan Sloan, one of the band’s instructors.

The group is made up of around 30 participants between the ages of seven and 18. Sloan said 20 students are currently enrolled in the learner’s program, while the remaining 10 make up the parade and competition bands.

The learner’s program sees students learning how to use the chanter – the pipe of the bagpipe – and play the drums. Students progress from beginner to band level, before they get their instruments and play and perform as a group.

“It’s open to anybody,” Sloan said. “We supply all the resources that you need to get through the program and become a musician.”

The band practices just off the Perimeter Highway at Grace Community Church in Headingley, Man. Every Saturday morning, pipe and snare drum sounds ring through the church halls – echoes of a cultural tradition transcending generations.

“The whole premise is to keep the heritage going, keep the music going,” said Sloan. “The highland bagpipe isn’t the easiest instrument in the world to learn, but it’s really rewarding.”

Beyond the bagpipe, participants said their favourite part of the band is the community that comes with it.

“It’s very welcoming and accepting,” said 12-year-old piper Samule Burbano McFee. “And if you have any struggle, they’ll help you.”

“My favorite part is about making new friends and just how far you come along the way,” said 10-year-old piper Alexander McDonald.

McDonald added that he’s looking forward to travelling internationally with the band, something he’s already gotten to do on a smaller scale in Manitoba and the Prairies.

For others, they find upholding their cultural heritage to be most rewarding.

“A lot of my relatives play (the pipes) or used to play, so it’s nice to carry on the family tradition,” said Annessa Halldorsson. “I like seeing my grandma really happy, because she really enjoys it, and she loves coming to watch and coming to all the competitions.”

While most students graduate once they turn 18, Sloan said many come back as instructors to lead the next generation.

“I enjoyed my time so much here that I decided, well, I might as well keep going,” said drumming instructor Kyle Kyrzyk. “I can’t be a student, so might as well keep teaching and giving free lessons so that people can enjoy it as much as I have.”

When asked if he could describe the band in one word, Kyrzyk said, “Loyalty.”

“We’re all very tightly knit together, and we always come back to each other and help each other out, and we’re all very loyal and close with each other,” he said.

Sloan said his commitment to the band lies with the legacy it carries on.

“We want to keep the band going as long as we can,” he said. “It really becomes a little mini community, a real good type of family. And everybody looks out for each other. It’s a great organization.”

Those interested in joining the band can check out its website.