Quesnel Pipes & Drums of BC

The Quesnel Pipes and Drums will celebrate its 55th anniversary this year. Our band started its existence in 1953 with a few dedicated players and has grown in numbers and diversity over the years.

Lisa McCargar is our brave Pipe Major presently but, she follows in the footsteps of four previous Pipe Majors who held their leadership for 12-15 years each.

Our pipe band has had a long history of strong involvement in the Quesnel community and have been hosts to the Cariboo Highland Games in our hometown for 7 years. Our band is also in the heart of Cariboo country and we participate in many events in the region.

We are known for our creative drumming and eclectic set of tunes. The term 'non-traditional' describes our band very well. We have 16 members in our band with 10 pipers and 6 drummers currently.

We are also known as the "World's Most Dangerous Pipe Band" but, this more accurately reflects a persona that lives in our minds rather than in reality!

For more information about the band, please contact Pipe Major Lisa McCargar: porcupin@quesnelbc.com

-submitted by Kimberly Scott

If you would like to see your pipe band featured in one of our newsletters, send us an email with a band photo and a short write up about the band.

June 21 Red Deer Highland Games
www.reddeerhighlandgames.ca, Kinnaird Bagpipes will be there. See Laira and Sam. Rauncie and Rob are at a wedding.

June 22 Ellerslie Highland Games
www.edmontonscottish.com Kinnaird Bagpipes will be there. See Laira and Sam.

June 29- Bands on the Boardwalk Scottish Festival
Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park. Kinnaird Bagpipes will be there. See MaryJane.

July 5 Penticton Highland Games (Cancelled) pentictonhighlandgames.com/

July 6-24. Guitar Building Course- Tugaske, SK
Everyone goes home with a finish & strings. www.timelessinstruments.com

July 14-18 Lake Diefenbaker Pipe School
www.kinnairdbagpipes.com/school.php

July 17 Lake Diefenbaker Pipe School Ceilidh
An evening of fine Scottish entertainment at Hitchcock's Hideway on Lake Diefenbaker. Come see performances by the School's instructors and Celtic group Back of the Bus.
Admission $10 at the door.
Contact Hitchock's Hideaway for accomodations

July 17-20 Annual Ness Creek Music Festival
www.nesscreek.com

Healthy Piping!

Playing the bagpipes is a great way to build up your lung capacity and is great for the cardiovascular system, but have you ever wondered what you might be breathing in?

Not only is moisture control important for maintaining a steady & reliable instrument, but it can also prevent the appearance of pathogens. Moisture can build up in many areas of the pipes, becoming a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria.

Being an organic substance, animal hide bags tend to be great breeding grounds for bacteria. Moisture from the piper's mouth and lungs builds up over time inside the bag causing bacteria and fungi to grow. Some bag dressings can address this issue, but not completely eliminate it. In fact, some dressings act as culture mediums for the bacteria.

Pipe bags are not the only issue. Moisture can build up on the reeds and in the drones. As the piper breathes, they may inhale any spores that have collected in the pipes. This can lead to lung infections and diseases, pneumonia, even brain diseases. Some early warning signs to look for are changes in ability to breathe and play, or voice fatigue.

New technology has greatly reduced these issues. Synthetic pipe bags, synthetic reeds and moisture control systems all help to reduce the amount of moisture build up in an effort to keep the pipes clean and pathogen free. Synthetic bags do not absorb moisture like hide bags do and do not require seasoning, which greatly reduces the opportunity for fungi and bacterial growth. Synthetic drone reeds also reduce moisture build up, unlike cane reeds which can absorb moisture. Best of all, moisture control systems are designed specifically to reduce the amount of moisture inside the bag. They come in a variety of designs from a basic water trap to a desiccant filled canister system. Their use will keep your pipes safe to play.

Always make sure you keep your pipes clean and dry them out whenever you get the chance. Happy, and healthy piping!