Canterbury Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band
Events
The Canterbury Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band is based in Christchurch, in the South Island, New Zealand. The Pipe Band was formed in 1902 and is one of New Zealand’s premier Grade 1 pipe bands.
Today the Canterbury Caledonian Society oversees 4 pipe bands, a Highland dancing section and a Scottish Country dancing section.
The Canterbury Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band has a strong competition focus. It was promoted to Grade 1 in 1967 and has remained there since. It has had many successes in that time including winning the Grade 1 New Zealand Champion of Champions in 2007 and again in 2009. The drum corps has won multiple New Zealand Championship titles. In 2010 the Band finished 3rd at the New Zealand Pipe Band Championships.
August 2011 marks the bands second trip to Scotland to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships.
Under the leadership of Pipe Major Richard Hawke (Oban Gold Medalist), and Drum Sergeant James Laughlin, (former SFU member and 2 time former world juvenile solo drumming champion) the emphasis and energies of the band have moved to attending the World Pipe Band Championships on a regular basis. Certainly no easy feat making the 12,000 mile journey, but one the band is extremely excited about.