The 25th annual pipes|drums New Year’s Honours

2025 Association Leader of the Year

David Hilder, President, British Columbia Pipers’ Association

Now in his second year in the role, Hilder combines his competition experience as a solo and band piper and pipe-major at the highest levels with his lifelong passion and commitment to the art. As with every other nominee, he recognizes the importance of clear and transparent communication with association members and the piping and drumming world at large as invaluably beneficial to the success of his organization.

In 2025, Hilder worked collaboratively to bring in new programs, chief among them a commitment to teaching and youth, designed to safeguard the future of the BCPA through the growth of the art in the Pacific Northwest.

 Panellists’ comments:

• Great leadership qualities. Innovative and consistent. From the outside, BC Pipers seems to work really well and that comes from great leadership.
• I feel that David has been more visible than the other nominees listed in trying to bring his organisation forward with new initiatives and events.
• David is an active player, adjudicator (also with RSPBA qualifications), Music Committee chair, teacher, and leader of an association. This makes for a well-rounded association head!
• BC Piper’s Association always seems to be on the ball.
• David is an active player, adjudicator (also with RSPBA qualifications), Music Committee chair, teacher, and leader of an association. This makes for a well-rounded association head.

Also nominated (in alphabetical order):

Jackie Allan, RSPBA Communications Chair – The head of the RSPBA’s London & Southeast of England Branch, Jackie Allan has improved the communications of the world’s largest and most influential pipe band association immeasurably. Her efforts have improved the RSPBA’s image.

Bill Caudill, President, Eastern United States Pipe Band Association President – In the second year of his two-year term, Caudill successfully stickhandled the contentious reformation of the EUSPBA’s judging panel to align with the rest of North America. His association has embarked on several important projects that should come to fruition in 2026.

Liam Kernaghan, President, RNZPBA – New Zealand boast one of the most successful pipe band scenes on earth, far beyond per capita expectations in the small island nation. Now in his second one-year term, the 34-year-old Kernaghan continues to manage the modernization of the RNZPBA with a reality-based vision built on his years as a still-active competitor.

Jim Sim, President, Midwest Pipe Band Association – A two-time recipient of our Association Leader of the Year Award, Jim Sim’s tenure at MWPBA reflects his strong commitment to the changes he’s introduced over the last decade, which continue to grow. More than 50 years as a leader for American piping and drumming, and his dedication to doing what is best for the Midwest scene remains steadfast.

Terry Tully, President, Irish Pipe Band Association – The new head of the 87-year-old IPBA brings his world-famous pipe band celebrity status to the role as the greatest Highland piper from Ireland in history. In his first year, he has worked to open the organization to all pipe bands, not just those that compete, offering free instruction and guidance to those who want it.