ABOUT THE BAND
History
Paris Port Dover Pipe Band was formed in 2000 with ten pipers and one drummer. It has grown from its humble beginnings into a thriving and growing group of individuals from many communities. 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 several more experienced bands. The band confidently competed in front of 35 million television viewers and 400,000 spectators, and 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.
2005: Paris Dover's first competitive band was formed. The band became North American Champions winning the title of Champion Supreme in Grade V.
2006: The band travelled to Normandy to take part in the Juno Beach Centre celebrations. Performances followed at official Dieppe ceremonies and the Marymass Festival held in Scotland. At the North American Highland Games the band was consistently on the prize list.
2007: The band moved up to grade IV and won the fourth place trophy at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Another Grade V competition band was now formed.
2008: The 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.
2010: The band had a number of accomplishments. The Grade V band 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 October 2010 the band was once again given the chance to play with Sir Paul McCartney. This time Sir Paul McCartney personally requested Paris Port Dover. Only a weeks notice was given and on October 18th the band played at the Air Canada Centre again with Sir Paul McCartney. This opportunity will not soon be forgotten by the band members that had the honour to play in that performance.
2013: The band was invited to the International Basel Tattoo. Over the course of nine days, they played 15 shows entertaining 125,000 spectators. Thirty 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.
2014: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (The theme of Homecoming) gave the band a unique opportunity to perform on the world stage. For the first time ever the, non-military bands in the Commonwealth were given the chance to perform in an exclusive Military Tattoo. With this 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.
The two Paris Port Dover competition bands also began competing at a higher level. Our Grade III moved up to Grade II and our Grade V moved up to Grade IV.
2015: During the competition season, both bands placed consistently and Grade II won the title of Champion Supreme.
The band showed such professionalism in our performances in Basel in 2013 that we were once again invited to play in the Tattoo. This trip included many of the Basel International Tattoo. (This trip included many of the same performances.) We were also requested to be one of two pipe bands to play in a concert to promote the Tattoo. The band arrived a couple days in advance to put on the concert and then had practices to perform for the main attraction. Over a busy two week period the band performed in dress rehearsals, the Tattoo and the parade.
Throughout the sixteen years Paris Port Dover has attended ten Virginia International Military Tattoos. Always striving to excel and give opportunity to younger players during this Tattoo.
A significant achievement was also reached, 2015 saw the formation of the third Grade V competition band. Paris Port Dover now consists of three bands, Grade IV, Grade V and Show Band. The bands competed at Highland Games, and also performed on stage and marched in various parades throughout the year. We are always looking for new members and new ways to expand our horizons, musical repertoire and places to perform..
2017 (Summer) The band had another exciting opportunity to perform at the Basel International Tattoo. Along with the traditional evening performances and Saturday parade the band also were part of mini tattoo in Europa Park located in Germany. They were also selected to represent the tattoo in a marketing photo shoot for Bell Sausage International Food Company.
2017: (Fall) The band produced and performed a breathtaking show at the Sanderson Centre. The traditional sounds of our instruments with a stage band and several talented singers were successfully melded. We drew on every resource we had to give the audience a 150th Canadian celebration with a Scottish twist. Performances presented a number of spectacular guests, including The Drums Crown forces 1812, 41st Regiment of foot and the visually astonishing Hoop dancer Nicole Shawana and family. We are so grateful for all who came to see the show and support the band. We are also thankful for the effort and dedication of all our acts and the patience of the Sanderson Centre crew.
2018: It was the year of the Youth and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force the band played at the Royal Edinburgh Military tattoo. Paris Port Dover encourages all ages to join but in the spirit of the Tattoo our youth group was well represented with twelve of our members on the trip being under 18.
This year has also brought an exciting new fundraising opportunity for the band that had been growing in popularity. Our "Catch the Ace" fundraiser had wild success and we can’t wait to continue the growth of this ever expanding venture.
2019: Paris Port Dover returned to the International Basel Tattoo in Switzerland. We were also given the unique opportunity to send 9 pipers, 2 snares and 1 bass player to the Qingdao International Beer Festival in China. The month long festival featured the band in the opening and closing ceremonies as well as two nightly parades. The band was welcomed by crowds of nearly 100,000 each night. Paris Port Dover played alongside stilt walkers and Brazilian drummers. Each parade included a cooperative performance between the two to the tune "We Will Rock You".
2020: Was the 20th anniversary of the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band, and the band decided in 2019 to forgo any travel (even before COVID) with the end of the year to be a GRAND show celebrating the history of the band. Due to the World wide pandemic PPDPB was forced to cancel all events and was only able to create a tribute video for the 2020 Remembrance Day celebrations as gathering was not safe for our brave veterans and soldiers. Video can been viewed from the "videos" page.
2021: With COVID still a world wide event the PPDPB like all others was forced to cancel show and events. we continued to practice at home and when restrictions allowed in small groups.
2022: Was a strong return as we came out of the first Pandemic in over 100 years, the band saw growth and was the only Canadian performance at the REMT (Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo), with over 25 members travelling to Scotland.