Future of Hamilton Police Grade 2 band uncertain after Aumonier resigns
Published: April 17, 2010
Peter Aumonier
The Grade 1 78th Fraser Highlanders will reportedly expand their pipe section with the addition of Peter Aumonier, Stuart Aumonier and Steven Jenkins from the Grade 2 Hamilton Police Pipe Band, from which Peter Aumonier officially resigned as pipe-major on April 17th.
The status of the Hamilton Police band is not known, although sources have said that the band has "collapsed." Lead-Drummer John Gaudet resigned several weeks ago, and the band was down to fewer than a dozen pipers at the time of Aumonier's resignation, whereas it had more than 20 on its roster in 2009.
Hamilton Police won the Champion Supreme award in Grade 2 in 2009, and is the flagship band of the organization's system, which also comprises Grade 4 and Grade 5 bands.
The Hamilton Police and 78th Fraser Highlanders created an alignment in 2008 intended to create a means of feeding new talent to the Grade 1 band.
Livingstone said that he expects further players from the Hamilton Police organization to join the 78th Fraser Highlanders.
Should the Hamilton Police not continue in Grade 2, it leaves the Ontario scene with only Glengarry and Penatangore in the grade. Earlier in the year the Niagara Regional Police closed its Grade 2 band. The Grade 3 Burnett's & Struth are reportedly considering an application to move to Grade 2.
The Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band will reportedly gain Hamilton Police piper Lori Wilson-Gaudet and tenor drummer Emily Gaudet.
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