Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band
Encyclopedia
The Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band is an organization of four bands affiliated with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band
. Though one primary purpose of the bands is to act as a feeder for the Grade I SFU pipe band, the bands have proven themselves in their own right as highly competitive forces. The RMM bands are no longer classified as juvenile bands as of this year they lifted the age limit, people of all ages are now allowed to join the RMM Pipebands.
The Grade III (Juvenile) band was first competitive in 1996, after they had won at all but two of the ten British Columbia Pipers Association
sanctioned games the previous year in grade IV and were upgraded. Pipers are under the instruction of Terry Lee and Jack Lee
. Drumming instruction was provided by (in various years) Karen Perry, Reid Maxwell, Grant Maxwell, Steven MacWhirter, Andre Tessier, Simone Reid, James Marshall, and Brittany Angeltvedt. After placing second in the World Championships in 1997, they returned every odd year to win the Juvenile category four consecutive times (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005). In August 2007 they placed second (behind George Watson's College of Edinburgh) and in August 2009, placed fourth.
Since 1996 there have been enough musicians in the organization to field bands in Grade II, III, and IV. A Grade V (or under grade) band was added for especially young players to give them opportunities to experience competition at a young age. In addition, the Robert Malcolm Memorial Alumni band was formed in 2002 for players who had aged out of the Juvenile bands but were not currently playing in the Grade II or I band(this band no longer exists).
as well as the BCPA
grand aggregate in 2006. RMM II won the aggregate of every highland games they entered within the BCPA (except the medley contest at the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games, which they placed second), prompting the association to promote them to grade one.
After being promoted to Grade One, RMM II was advised by the SFUPB leadership to appeal for a down grade, which they did. At the same time that the appeal was made, the Pipe Major, Pipe Sergeant, and Drum Sergeant of RMM2 concurrently resigned. Terry Lee later stated to the band members that "the system in place" was "never mandated to form an RMM I", and dissolved RMM II. The SFU Pipe Band Organization and Maple Ridge Pipe Band then entered into a strategic relationship, with Maple Ridge becoming the bridge between RMM III and SFUPB. RMM II members were given the option of joining the MRPB, or starting their own autonomous band. Maple Ridge Pipe Band is now called New Westminster Police Pipe Band.
www.triumphstreetpipeband.com. After this event the RMM Pipeband teamed up with grade 2 band New West Police Pipeband. They now act as the grade 2 band in the organization, but they kept their own name.
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band
The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band is a grade one pipe band affiliated with Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada . The band has consistently placed in the top three in world competition and has won the Grade One World Pipe Band Championships six times: 1995, 1996, 1999,...
. Though one primary purpose of the bands is to act as a feeder for the Grade I SFU pipe band, the bands have proven themselves in their own right as highly competitive forces. The RMM bands are no longer classified as juvenile bands as of this year they lifted the age limit, people of all ages are now allowed to join the RMM Pipebands.
History
As the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band entered the 1990s, the membership of the band began to teach younger players the art of piping and drumming. Two such teachers were Robert Barbulak and Malcolm Bokenfohr. Robert and Malcolm were killed in a car accident in 1993 and in 1994 the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band was created to continue the development of younger players. The organization first fielded a Grade II pipe band in 1995, which saw local success immediately.The Grade III (Juvenile) band was first competitive in 1996, after they had won at all but two of the ten British Columbia Pipers Association
British Columbia Pipers Association
The British Columbia Pipers Association is a non-profit organization which sanctions all major bagpipe competitions in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. It frequently partners with Scottish heritage groups and athletic organizations to organize Highland Games in these three states...
sanctioned games the previous year in grade IV and were upgraded. Pipers are under the instruction of Terry Lee and Jack Lee
Jack Lee (bagpiper)
Jack Lee is a Canadian bagpiper and the pipe sergeant and co-founder of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. The band has won the World Pipe Band Championships several times....
. Drumming instruction was provided by (in various years) Karen Perry, Reid Maxwell, Grant Maxwell, Steven MacWhirter, Andre Tessier, Simone Reid, James Marshall, and Brittany Angeltvedt. After placing second in the World Championships in 1997, they returned every odd year to win the Juvenile category four consecutive times (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005). In August 2007 they placed second (behind George Watson's College of Edinburgh) and in August 2009, placed fourth.
Since 1996 there have been enough musicians in the organization to field bands in Grade II, III, and IV. A Grade V (or under grade) band was added for especially young players to give them opportunities to experience competition at a young age. In addition, the Robert Malcolm Memorial Alumni band was formed in 2002 for players who had aged out of the Juvenile bands but were not currently playing in the Grade II or I band(this band no longer exists).
2006
The RMM Grade 2 band won the World Pipe Band ChampionshipsWorld Pipe Band Championships
The World Pipe Band Championships is a pipe band competition currently held in Glasgow, Scotland every August. The event has been operating regularly since 1930, when the Scottish Pipe Band Association was formed...
as well as the BCPA
British Columbia Pipers Association
The British Columbia Pipers Association is a non-profit organization which sanctions all major bagpipe competitions in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. It frequently partners with Scottish heritage groups and athletic organizations to organize Highland Games in these three states...
grand aggregate in 2006. RMM II won the aggregate of every highland games they entered within the BCPA (except the medley contest at the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games, which they placed second), prompting the association to promote them to grade one.
After being promoted to Grade One, RMM II was advised by the SFUPB leadership to appeal for a down grade, which they did. At the same time that the appeal was made, the Pipe Major, Pipe Sergeant, and Drum Sergeant of RMM2 concurrently resigned. Terry Lee later stated to the band members that "the system in place" was "never mandated to form an RMM I", and dissolved RMM II. The SFU Pipe Band Organization and Maple Ridge Pipe Band then entered into a strategic relationship, with Maple Ridge becoming the bridge between RMM III and SFUPB. RMM II members were given the option of joining the MRPB, or starting their own autonomous band. Maple Ridge Pipe Band is now called New Westminster Police Pipe Band.
2007
On January 4, 2007, the former Pipe Major, Pipe Sergeant and Drum Sergeant of RMM2, along with the majority of the former members of RMM2, joined the Triumph Street Pipe BandTriumph Street Pipe Band
The Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band is a Grade One competitive and concert pipe band based in Greater Vancouver, B.C., Canada, established in 1971 by former pupils of Pipe Major Malcolm Nicholson, C.M. of the Vancouver Police Pipe Band...
www.triumphstreetpipeband.com. After this event the RMM Pipeband teamed up with grade 2 band New West Police Pipeband. They now act as the grade 2 band in the organization, but they kept their own name.
