FMM revamps the middle with addition of Elliott and Heaney

2012 Word Champions Field Marshal Montgomery of Belfast have added Andrew Elliott and Kyle Heaney, both of Ontario, Canada, to the band’s bass-section, with Elliott assigned as Leading-Tenor and instructor.

Both most recently played with the Grade 1 Peel Regional Police Pipe Band of Brampton, Ontario, with Elliott playing bass since the middle of the last season and Heaney leading the band’s bass-section for the last several years.

Elliott follows Norman “Haggis” MacLeod, who retired after the 2011 season,  and Glenn Higgins, who led Field Marshal’s bass-section in 2012.

In an exclusive to pipes|drums, Field Marshal Montgomery band president Earl Glasgow said that Andrew Elliott “will work closely with Pipe-Major Richard Parkes and Leading-Drummer Keith Orr, as the band look forward to 2013, and plot their musical strategy to maintain and build on their successes.”

Elliott and Heaney departed the Peel Regional Police after the band’s Leading-Drummer Graham Brown was dismissed in early-September, resulting in at least seven other players resigning. Corps player Graham Kirkwood subsequently was appointed the band’s leading-drummer.

“2013 will be a big year, as the band tries to build on its recent record of championship wins,” Parkes said. “Of course the 2013 World Championships will change format, and be decided over two days, four performances, and 16 adjudicators, therefore FMM will set its sights on lifting the performance bar to meet the demands required to try and win a third  consecutive world title. We see the appointment of Andrew and Kyle as a huge boost for the mid-section and the band overall, and very much look forward to working with Andrew.”

Field Marshal Montgomery Leading-Drummer Keith Orr said, “I am chuffed to have secured the services of Andrew Elliott to lead the mid-section of FMM, and to have Kyle joining him as well is nothing short of brilliant for the drum corps. From the moment I spoke to Andrew, I was impressed with his professionalism and vision for FMM mid-section and can’t wait to see the finished article on the floor.”

Elliott said he and Heaney will practice together regularly in Toronto, and commute to several FMM practices between now and May, when Elliott will move to Glasgow for the summer, with Heaney commuting back and forth. He added that the mid-section will use Skype, and video sharing throughout the off-season.

Field Marshal Montgomery in its history has won 51 RSPBA championships, eight World Championships, and two Grand Slams – winning all RSPBA five championships in a single season.