Official site of NSW Police Pipe Band

NSW Police Pipe Band
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The Band TodayAs you will read in the history below, New South Wales Police Pipe Band was formed over 60 years ago. It has undergone many changes over the years but continues a proud tradition of not only the music but support for the men and women of the New South Wales Police. The band is now comprised of volunteers from all walks of life as well a former police; students to business people to university graduates all come together to enjoy and enhance their piping and drumming in an atmosphere that encourages learning and challenges the performer to improve their abilities. Practices are held on an evening weekly and monthly on a weekend for members who may not be able to attend during the week. The band undertakes a number of social engagements as well as contest activities. Players of all levels wishing to join with us are most welcome and can contact the Band through this website.The NSW Police Pipe Band was formed in 1946 by Commissioner William John MacKay from a group of experienced pipers and drummers who were serving members of the NSW police. To honour their founder and patron the band adopted the ancient tartan and crest of the Clan MacKay. The clan motto "Manu Forti" means "with a strong hand".The first official engagement of the band was the Newcastle Centenary Celebrations in September 1947 and it was the start of a long and colourful period with the band travelling extensively within NSW on official engagements as well as performances in Victoria and Queensland. An invitation to all Australian police pipe bands in 1975 saw the NSW Police Pipe Band tour the United Kingdom during which the band performed at the Royal Tournament, Earls Court; the Colchester Searchlight Tattoo and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The experience was no doubt a highlight in the band's history.In the first 30 years of the band's existence members regularly assisted in the tuition of Police Boy's Club Pipe Bands (as they were then known) in the Sydney metropolitan area and this proved to be an excellent training ground for many drummers and pipers in the various bands of today.Those first 30 years also saw the band take a prominent part in competitions and at Grade 1 standard they played in 66 contests for 40 firsts (including the first two Australian championships to be held in 1961 and 1962), 17 seconds, 5 thirds and were unplaced on only 4 occasions. The band did not enter in competition between 1976 and 1989.A shortage of serving police able to play pipes or drums saw the introduction in 1973 of "special constables". These were civilians playing with the band on a full- time basis and, like serving members, they were equipped and recompensed. More were to join the band during the next 5 years and when the State Government of the day disbanded the unit in 1989 there were 22 members 10 serving police and 12 special constables.Ex members regrouped the band in an unofficial capacity for the Anzac Day marches in 1990 and 1991. Interest waned and for the next year there were only a few of these ex band members who were still serving policemen and able to act as trustees for all the uniforms and equipment stored at the Bourke Street depot.A recruitment program existed throughout the early nineties and into the mid nineties and through this period the band has achieved the status of grade two, winning NSW, QLD & Victorian State Championships and numerous other competitions and has continued to maintain a significant link in the ceremonial and social activities of the NSW Police Force.The band provided a considerable contribution to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo held in Sydney in February 2010 and was widely recognised by many participants and spectators of that event.

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Band Events

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EVENTS

Sunday 20 March 2011 - St Patick's Day parade - Sydney CBD. Marches commences at 12pmSaturday 2 April 2011 - Bundanoon is BrigadoonSunday 17 April 2011 - Pre-anzac marches - Maroubra and Revesby RSLMonday 25 April 2011 - Anzac Day parade - Sydney CBDFriday 6 May 2011 - Goulburn Police Academy Passing Out ParadeSunday 19 June 2011 - Avalon Mini TattooFriday 29 June 2011 - SAHC Ball - SydneyFriday 29 July 2011 - Illawarra Police Ball - WollongongSaturday 30 July 2011 - SDAA Debutante Ball
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Our band's photo album

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Repertoire

Set 1

4/4 March Sets

1 Silver Threads

Maggie

2 Bonnie Lass o’ Fyvie

Music of Spey

Cabar Feidh

3 Scotland the Brave

4 Will Ye No Come Back Again

Auld Lang Syne

Set 2

3/4 March Sets

1 Green Hills

Battles O’er

2 Frances Duffy

Castle Dangerous

The Road to Paschendale

Set 3

2/4 March Sets

1 Highland Laddie

Barren Rocks

Mairi's Wedding

2 72nd's Farewell to Aberdeen

Greenwoodside

The Piper's Cave

3 The Brown Haired Maiden

4 The Black Bear

Set 4

6/8 Sets

1 Old Adam

Angus McKinnon

2 Cock o’ the North

Bonnie Dundee

100 Pipers

3 Comm. Ken Moroney

Set 5

9/8 Sets

1 Scots Guards’ Welcome to Toronto

2 The Heights of Dargai

Set 6

6/4 Farewell to Nigg

5/4 Cullen Bay

Set 7

Our Slow sets

Hector the HeroAmazing GraceThe Mist Covered Mountains Dark Isle With Honour We Serve Morag Duncan

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Set 8

our Concert sets

I Am Australian Going Home theme Click Go The ShearsMagnificent 7 Police Academy You're the Voice

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Set 9

Our Medley sets

Medley set 1Salute to James A Henderson Out of the Air Organic RossPaddy’s Green Shamrock ShoreSmith the Gallant FiremanAirlie's Big DayThe Red Fox
Medley set 2The Full MontyArchie BeagThe Road to BallygowanThe Unknown AirThe Nine of DiamondsCraig-a-BodichThe Tourist

Set 10 Grade 4 Medley setThe Heights of DargaiCaptain HorneBarney's BalmoralPaddy’s Green Shamrock ShoreOrganic RossChampion of the Seas

Set 11

MSR Set

The Young Macgregor

Struan Robertson

Dolina Mackay

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Set 2
Set 3
Set 4
Set 5
Set 6
Set 7
Set 8
Set 9
Set 10
Set 11

Contact

Contact the band secretary here for more info about us and when and where we practice.

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