Rocky Mountain hired: Somers new P-M of Calgary band
Sean Somers, the former Pipe-Sergeant of the Grade 1 Alberta Caledonia Pipe Band, has been made Pipe-Major of the Grade 3 Rocky Mountain Pipe Band of Calgary. He takes over from Ian Baxter, who took the band during the 2008 season. Baxter will remain with the band as Pipe-Sergeant.
Formed in 1998, the band enjoyed a successful tenth anniversary year, winning most contests it played in in 2008 and gained the Alberta Championship Supreme award in Grade 3 for the past three years.
The band says that it hopes to gain enough interest in new personnel to move to Grade 2 “as quickly as possible.”
“The band members are all very excited about the new direction that the band is taking, and are looking forward to flourishing under Pipe-Major Somers,” the band said in a statement.
Somers has also played with the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel), and is a successful solo competitor and composer, and is currently Chair of the Music and Judging Committee for the Alberta Society of Pipers & Drummers
The band’s drum section will continue to be led by Ryan Sullivan.
Somers said that anyone interested in joining the band are welcome to contact him directly by e-mail.
Congratulations to the RMPB on the new arrangement, and best wishes for success going forward. This brings to 4 the number of ex-CRPB members in the band, and two in the main leadership positions. We look forward to hearing and competing with the new band.
Best wishes to Sean, and the band, as they move forward!