Catherine-Ann MacPhee to join Toronto Police in November 100th anniversary concert

The Toronto Police Pipe Band will help to mark its centenary this year with a November 10th concert in downtown Toronto at the Opera House that will also feature the renowned Gaelic singer, Catherine-Ann MacPhee.

“We’re planning a number of events to mark the band’s 100th,” said Pipe-Major Ian K. MacDonald. “There’s no doubt this  show will be the highlight. Band members have really stepped up their commitment this special year to learn new music and just kick our whole effort up a notch to deliver the best we can in 2012.”

As with the band’s first concert at another well known Toronto music venue, the El Mocambo, the concert will be captured for a CD and, this time, a DVD.

MacPhee, originally from the isle of Barra and who now lives in Ottawa, is one of Scotland’s best known traditional singers, with solo five recordings to her name. In a statement, the band said that “Cathy-Ann’s Gaelic  view of the world  is sure to augment perfectly the  avant-garde pipe sounds often associated with the music of the Toronto Police.”

“To have Cathy-Ann  join the show is an awesome plus,” MacDonald added.  “I first got exposed to  Gaelic waulking songs through  the old 78th Fraser Highlanders’ music.  And . . . we’ve now made the chance  to gather hundreds of people  to join us to  create a great big waulking song  set with one of Scotland’s  best.”

The Opera House is another Toronto music landmark. Built in 1909, the venue has more recently hosted big acts like Eminem and Rage Against the Machine.

The concert will start at 8 pm. Tickets will be priced at $25, available starting in mid-March from Ticketmaster and directly from the band.