Photos: SFU Pipe Band off to Scotland to compete in the Worlds at Glasgow Green

The ensemble is made up of several Tri-City residents, including band manager Rob MacNeil of Coquitlam.

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1 / 1 Marianne Meadahl,

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The Grade 1 pipe band at Simon Fraser University (SFU) will soon be on their way to Scotland for the Worlds.

The ensemble, headed up by Pipe Major Alan Bevan and Lead Drummer J. Reid Maxwell, is made up of several Tri-City residents — including band manager Rob MacNeil of Coquitlam — who will be in the annual contest on Aug. 12 and 13 at Glasgow Green.

They will be up against 13 other elite Grade 1 bands at the championships: 78th Fraser Highlanders; Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia; Closkelt; City of Dunedin (USA); ScottishPower; Inveraray and District; St. Thomas Alumni (USA); Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia; Field Marshal Montgomery; Police Scotland Fife; Johnstone; Police Scotland and Federation; and St. Laurence O’Toole (Eire).

Next Friday, SFU plays second in the MSR and the Medley competitions after the 78th Fraser Highlanders.

SFU Drum Major Jason Paguio is also vying for a win in the adult drum major final.

"Over the past few years, the band has worked to stay connected and kept up practising over Zoom, and has since returned to competitions (such as winning the recent competition at Enumclaw, Washington, a few weeks ago) and practising through the heat wave," SFU spokesperson Marianne Meadahl told the Tri-City News.

"Pipe Sergeant Jack Lee says they are thrilled to be returning to the Worlds after a two-year hiatus and have their sights set toward winning a seventh world championship."

The band has won the Grade One World Pipe Band Championships six times: in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2009; it has also placed second nine times.

Meanwhile, two Port Coquitlam residents will meet SFU at Glasgow Green.

David and Shaunna Hilder are members of the Grade 1 band ScottishPower, which is sponsored by the ScottishPower Foundation. David was formerly the Pipe Major fo the Dowco Triumph Street Band, while Shaunna was the Pipe Sergeant.