A group of pipe band musicians met in September 1992 with the intention of forming a new band. The formation of a new pipe band in Regina was viewed by the original members as a fresh start: a new group, a new name, and an atmosphere conducive to building a strong musical group.

The band decided to call itself "The City of Regina Pipe Band" in December 1992, and the band was legally incorporated as such in January 1993. The name reflects the band members' pride in the city, and is a tribute to the many early settlers of Scottish origin.

Since 1992 the band has grown steadily, and the members have built an organization with a positive, progressive attitude. All band members see themselves as learners - the band's musical and organizational progress depend on the ability of its members to be open to learning, and to encourage that attitude in others.

Over the past years the City of Regina Pipe Band has quadrupled in size; it has purchased uniforms and instruments; it has worked to improve piping and drumming and encourage excellence in youth through teaching, event organization, and the formation of a grade 4 pipe band; and it has travelled and competed successfully throughout Canada.

The band's early success and achievement were recognized by the Royal Canadian Legion, Regina Branch No. 001. The Legion proposed an affiliation with the band in November 1993, and since January 1994 the City of Regina Pipe Band has been the official pipe band of the Regina Branch, RCL.

The band has worked hard to acquire uniforms and instruments, and in fall 1994 was outfitted in Modern MacTavish tartan kilts. The band plays the Sinclair pipe chanter and Premier HTS200 drums.

Over the years, the band has organized an indoor contest, mini gatherings for amateur pipers and drummers, a professional knockout event, an annual Celtic Festival, and many other events.

The City of Regina Pipe Band, Grade 2, is unquestionably the best pipe band in Saskatchewan, and for a number of years has been the only actively competing Grade 2 band between Vancouver and Ontario! The band has won numerous prizes over the years, and gradually expanded its range of travel.

Started by Iain MacDonald and former P/Sgt. Trewin Somers, the band has grown and developed over the years, and it is now a recognized force in Grade 2 contests all across the country. The Grade 2 drum corps is led by Brett Stinson, and the current P/Sgt. is Barbara MacDonald. See our members page for a complete list of current and past members.

The Grade 2 band, against great odds, has competed successfully against many of North America's best Grade 2 bands. In 1999 the band also began to develop a full concert performance, and that has been very successful. The band has performed to sold-out shows in Regina at our own Celtic Festival, and in our summer concert series "One Scottish Evening" was a huge community success, and has been re-broadcast many times on Regina's Access Cable TV. In 2001, the band organzed "One Scottish Evening" concerts in Moose Jaw, Regina, and Saskatoon, and recorded a CD which is available for sale on this web site.

The band has performed at the Lincoln Theatre Concert and Skagit Valley Highland Games in Mount Vernon, WA (1999 and 2001), and at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games near Seattle, where the band was featured in a concert with 1999 World Champions Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and 1999 World Juvenile Champions Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band. In 2001, the band also performed at the Regina Symphony Orchestra's "Beethoven at Buffalo Pound" concert in August 2001.

The City of Regina Pipe Band was among the very first pipe bands to be profiled on the Piper and Drummer web site.

The City of Regina Pipe Band has from its inception distinguished itself in a variety of ways. The key concept for this growth and development has been the "attitude" of the players. Band members have proudly worn the "Attitude" lapel pin since 1994. This signifies that each band member understands that to create a winning band, band members must adopt a winning attitude. The winning attitude is exemplified by a positive approach to musical and personal challenges, a strong desire to excel, and the understanding that we all give something up to make the band work.