Move to Grade 2 application approved for Burnett’s & Struth

After only a year in Grade 3, the Burnett’s & Struth Pipe Band’s application to move to Grade 2 has been officially approved by the Music Board of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario.

The band made the application relatively late in the year and close to the start of the Ontario outdoor season after it enjoyed an influx of new talent in April, including the former Pipe-Major of the now defunct Grade 1 Windsor Police, Bill Baird.

The addition of Burnett’s & Struth brings the total number of Ontario Grade 2 bands to three, with Glengarry and Penetangore the others. Both the Hamilton Police and Niagara Police Grade 2 bands folded after losing substantial personnel, although both of the organizations maintain teaching programs and, in the case of Hamilton Police, lower-grade bands.

The Ontario outdoor season starts on June 12th at Georgetown, the usual first venue. The Halifax, Nova Scotia-based 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) are reportedly planning to compete in the Grade 1 contest, and Fredericton Society of St. Andrew in the Grade 2 event,  at Georgetown.