The Paris Port Dover Pipe Band

The Paris Port Dover Pipe Band was formed in 2000, with ten pipers and one drummer. It has grown from its humble beginnings to over 100 members.
Members include pipers and drummers ranging in ability from beginner to advanced but all share a passion for Scottish music and culture.

At the Calgary Stampede in 2004, the band won second place over more experienced bands. The band confidently competed in front of 35 million television viewers and 400,000 spectators. The band played at Spruce Meadows Equestrian Centre by exclusive invitation. Surrounded by the Majestic Rocky Mountains at the Lake Louise Lodge the band played an impromptu performance which furthered their impressive reputation.

In 2005 they saw the formation of the first competitive band that became North American Champions winning the title of Champion Supreme in Grade V.

In 2006 the band travelled to Normandy to take part in the Juno Beach Centre celebrations. Performances followed at Dieppe ceremonies and the Marymass Festival held in Scotland. At the North American Games the band was consistently on the prize list.

In 2007 the grade IV band won the fourth place trophy at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Another Grade V competition band was now formed.

In 2008 this newly formed band played at the World Pipe Band Championships and received an impressive second place in Grade 4b. At home they won the North American Championship and the title of Champion Supreme.

In 2010, the band had a number of accomplishments. Grade V was again Champion Supreme in North America.
In August of 2010 the band had the opportunity and honour to play with Sir Paul McCartney at the Air Canada Centre. Sir Paul McCartney was impressed with the professionalism and the quality of the music.

In September 2010 the band was invited to Crete as guests of the Greek Minister of Tourism. They played parades and performances for thousands of spectators as an advertisement for the Crete Tattoo which was to take place in September 2011.

In the summer of 2013 the band was invited to the International Basel Tattoo. Over the course of 9 days they played 15 shows entertaining 125,000 spectators. 30 acts from around the world were invited to play at the Tattoo. Paris Port Dover was one of two acts from North America and the only act from Canada.

In 2014 the theme of Homecoming at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo gave the band a unique opportunity. For the first time ever, the Commonwealth were given the chance to perform in exclusive Military Tattoo. With invitation the band played in 18 shows in the almost month long celebration. The trip also included a “mini” Tattoo in Glasgow. The band performed live in front of 220,000 visitors and to 100 million television viewers in over forty countries. Paris Port Dover proudly represented Canada in the spectacle featuring over a thousand performers.

While performing in Scotland the band also upgraded their competition bands. Our Grade III moved up to Grade II and our Grade V band began to compete in Grade IV.

During the 2015 competitive year both bands placed consistently and Grade II won the title of Champion Supreme.

In 2015 the band was once again invited to play in the Basel Tattoo. This trip included many of the same performances. They were also requested to be one of two pipe bands to play in a concert to promote the Tattoo. The band arrived a couple of days in advance to put on the concert and then had practices to perform for the main attraction. Over two weeks the band performed in dress rehearsals, the tattoo and the parade.

On October 18th, 2015 the band was personally requested to once again perform at the Air Canada Centre with Sir Paul McCartney. This opportunity will not soon be forgotten by the band members that had the honour to play in that performance.

The summer of 2017 offered the band another exciting opportunity to perform at the Basel International Tattoo. Along with the traditional evening performances and Saturday parade, the band were also part of the mini tattoo in Europa Park located in Germany. They were also selected to represent the tattoo in a marketing photo shoot for Bell Sausage company.

In October 2017 the band put on a breathtaking show at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford. They successfully melded the traditional sounds of their instruments with a stage band and several talented singers. They drew on every resource they had, to give the audience a 150th Canadian celebration with a Scottish twist. They were lucky to have spectacular guests including The Drums Crown forces 1812, 41st Regiment of foot and the visually astonishing Hoop dancer Nicole and family. They are so thankful for the audience who attended as well as for the effort and dedication of all our acts and the patience of the Sanderson Centre crew.

In 2018, the year of the Youth and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force the band was fortunate enough to be invited to play at the Royal Edinburgh Military tattoo. In the spirit of the tattoo our youth group was represented well with 12 of our members on the trip being under 18.

2018 has also brought an exciting new fundraising opportunity for the band that has been growing in popularity. Our Catch the Ace fundraiser has had wild success and we can’t wait to continue the growth of this ever expanding venture. The Paris/Port Dover Pipe Band gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which is an agency of the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation.

The Paris Port Dover Band continues to look for new ways to expand our horizons, musical repertoire and places to perform and are always looking for new members.