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News
2007-2008 Season
 
3/23/08 - BCPA Annual Gathering
The 2008 BCPA competition season began with the Annual Gathering at SFU on Easter weekend.  The Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band made their Grade One mini-band competition debut, playing their new medley.  All band members should be congratulated for their effort and commitment. We must also acknowledge the DTSPB members who placed in solo events: Piping - JD Farrell (3rd, Grade 1 Jig, and 6th, Grade 1 Piobaireachd), Craig Mathews (1st, Grade 2 Piobaireachd). Drumming - Annie Head (1st, Pro Tenor), Mary Bruce (3rd, Pro Tenor), Colin Hearty (1st, Grade 1 Side Drum).
 
          
 
3/17/08 - St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser
Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band fundraiser on March 16th at The Golden Spike Pub in Port Moody. The “Irish Mist” outside was no deterrent to the crowd, who cheered when the band unveiled their new medley and played other favourites. The show continued with dancers and special guests from Northern Ireland.  It was a night to remember!  Congratulations to all the prize winners!
 
1/27/08 - Robbie Burns Dinner a Success!
Thank-you to everyone - the special guests, sponsors, volunteers, family and friends - who attended the inaugural Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band Robbie Burns Dinner on January 26, 2008. It was truly a special night! We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 Burns Dinner.  Check out the photos!
 
1/20/08 - First Anniversary of the New Triumph Street Debut
This day marks the anniversary of the first concert for the new edition Triumph Street Pipe Band.  In celebration, the band performed last night at the Celtic Arts Foundation Robbie Burns Dinner - their first performance as a Grade One band.  It has been quite an eventful year!  Congratulations to band members and supporters for such hard work and dedication! Click here for photos
 
              
 
12/31/07 - Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band Promoted to Grade 1
In a press release, the BCPA announced the final decision regarding grading of bands for the 2008 season: “All BCPA bands within the BCPA jurisdiction are assigned the same grades for 2008 which they had in the 2007 season, with the following exception; The Triumph Street Pipe Band is promoted to Grade 1 for the 2008 season.”  For more, please check our Media page.
 
News, 12/5/07 - Triumph Street Gets a Longer Name
After a vote by the TSPB Board, the Triumph Street Pipe Band officially changed its name to The Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band to acknowledge their major sponsor, The Dowco Group.
 
News, 11/11/07 - A Day of Remembrance
To honour the day, the Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band led the Burnaby Remembrance Day parade from Legion #148 to the ceremony at Burnaby Cenotaph at Confederation Park, as band member Curtiss Mann’s father and grandfather participated in the honour fly-past overhead.  We honour the veterans of Legion #148, and thank them for their continued support
 
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News, 9/30/07 - Triumph Street Announces New Sponsorship Agreement with DOWCO
David Hilder announced at the 2007 TSPB AGM that the band had signed a sponsorship agreement with the DOWCO Group, a BC steel-detailing company. Born 35 years ago in the dining room of its founder, Hugh Dobbie, Sr., Dowco now has a growing staff of 130 detailers in 4 offices, numerous awards and commendations, and a distinguished reputation for excellence. Hugh Dobbie, Sr., a former pipe band drummer from Scotland, has always been a major supporter of local community groups, and wanted to give a local pipe band the opportunity to expand and grow.  Both the Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band and The Dowco Group are committed to excellence, making this a wonderful opportunity for all.
                                
News, 9/26/07 - Congratulations to Matt Reid
Matt is moving on from the Triumph Street Pipe Band to assume the role of Pipe Major of the Sir John A. MacDonald Pipe Band.  We wish him and the band all the best of success in the future!                                                                                                                                  
 
News, 8/12/07 - This Day in History
Twenty-eight years ago today, in 1979, Willie McErlean, lead drummer of the Triumph Street Pipe Band, won the Sash at the World Pipe Band Championships in Nottingham, England. The Sash honours the winners of the World Drum Corps Championship.  It was the first time that a band from outside Scotland had won the Drum Corps Championship. This week the Sash will be returning to Canada with the most recent winner, Drew Duthart, of the Scottish Lion - 78th Fraser Highlanders.  Congratulations to the winners, old and new!
 
 
 
 
2007 Season News, 8/9/07 - Festival Vancouver The noon-time crowds filled the Art Gallery Square for the Festival Vancouver concert of the Triumph Street Pipe Band. It was amazing to see how many people were drawn by the sound of bagpipes and drums on the downtown streets. Thanks to Festival Vancouver and our sponsor Odlum Brown Limited for all their support! News, 8/5/07 - Montreal, Quebec The Triumph Street Pipe Band ended their Eastern Canada tour with a win in the Grade 2 contest at the Montreal Highland Games. The band members were honoured to be asked to be the duty band, and lead the massed bands in a final “Amazing Grace.” What a fitting end to an amazing tour and 2007 competition season! News, 8/4/07 - Maxville, Ontario Triumph Street Pipe Band Win the 2007 Grade 2 North American Pipe Band Championship! After many years absence, the Triumph Street Pipe Band returned to compete in Eastern Canada; this time, to the Glengarry Highland Games and the North American Pipe Band Championships. The sun was shining, the band was relaxed, prepared and focused...and the judges awarded them the win in the Grade 2 event! Congratulations to Pipe Major David Hilder, Drum Sergeant Andre Tessier, Pipe Sergeant Shaunna Hilder, and the other members of the band. Congratulations must also go to D/S Andre Tessier who competed in the Solo Professional Drumming events and won “Pro Drummer of the Day”. The band members wish to thank all the sponsors, helpers, and supporters, who have been "part of the Triumph", making the past year such a success! Grade 2 Overall 1. Triumph Street Pipe Band (BC) 2. Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band (IL) 3. St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg Pipe Band (SK) 4. Glengarry Pipe Band Gr. 2 (ON) 5. Dartmouth & District Pipe Band (NS) 6. Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band (ON) Best Drum Corps: Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band (ON) (Thanks to Alex Munro on the field for the quick results!) News, 8/3/07 - Band in the News, Vancouver, B.C The Georgia Straight’s critics combed the Festival Vancouver program of more than 50 shows, for essential viewing and hidden gems...and look what they found..”BEST MUSICAL JUXTAPOSITION - What do bagpipes and Afro-Cuban rhythms have in common? Not much. Still, festival organizers have given the Triumph Street Pipe Band the opening slot for Zapato Negro next Thursday (August 9), in a free family concert at the Vancouver Art Gallery's Georgia Street plaza. The pipes start droning at noon, and the congas kick in at 1 p.m. Now you've got an excuse to drink mojitos while wearing a kilt.” - Jessica Werb News, 7/30/07 This weekend’s weather was a true mix of the Pacific Northwest and Scotland; hot sun one day, and Scottish mist and driving rain the next. However, the results at the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games in Enumclaw, Washington, couldn’t have been better. The band won both the Grade 2 MSR and Medley contests, and the 2007 BC Piper’s Association Grade 2 Band Grand Aggregate Award. News, 7/22/07 Many thanks to everyone for making the road trip to the Portland Highland Games such a winner, with special mention to Bill the Bus Driver who successfully battled the I-5 traffic with the sound of chanters and drum pads in his ears! News, 7/14/07 Many thanks to the Celtic Arts Foundation for the work that they do to encourage and promote Celtic cultural events, including this weekend’s Skagit Valley Highland Games in Mount Vernon, Washington. By this point in the season, bands usually start to hit their stride, and this is certainly the case for the Triumph Street Pipe Band. “Well done!” to all band members for their hard work and dedication, which resulted in a first place finish in the Grade 2 band competition. News, 7/1/07 The sun cooperated at the BC Highland Games in Coquitlam, and the crowd appeared to be the largest in recent memory. Thanks, in part, to the arrival of our band members from California and Denmark, the Triumph Street Pipe Band had a strong showing, and placed first in the Grade 2 band competition. It was great to see so many TSPB alumni present to cheer on the band. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 6/15/07 Triumph Street Pipe Band announces Odlum Brown Limited as Sponsor VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA The Triumph Street Pipe Band of Vancouver is pleased to announce that a local investment firm, Odlum Brown Limited, will be lending its support as a major sponsor.  As a strong supporter of the local community, Odlum Brown Limited continues its commitment to the arts in Vancouver.  Odlum Brown is a Gold Sponsor for Festival Vancouver and Presenting Sponsor of the Harmony Arts Festival, both musical celebrations upcoming in August.  The Triumph Street Pipe Band will be performing at Festival Vancouver on August 9 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.  About Odlum Brown Limited Odlum Brown Limited is an independent, BC based, full-service investment firm focused on providing professional investment advice, objective research, and personalized client service since 1923. The firm offers equities, bonds, mutual funds, and GICs, as well as financial, retirement and estate planning, and a Young Investors Club for children. Odlum Brown operates out of six offices throughout BC: Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Chilliwack, Courtenay and Campbell River. News, 6/10/07 It was almost a wash-out at the Sons of Scotland Highland Games in Tsawwassen. Despite the pouring rain, the Triumph Street Pipe Band placed first in the Grade 2 band competition. Thanks to all who turned out! Here’s hoping that these games will see sunshine next year! News, 6/3/07 At the Bellingham Highland Games, Triumph Street Pipe Band entered their first outdoor competition of 2007, placing first in the Grade 2 band competition. On a family note, it was also the first outdoor competition ever for young Daniel Tessier - aged 9 months. We noticed his impeccable timing when hitting the drum cases! Press Release, 4/26/07 The new edition Triumph Street Pipe Band will be making its first major trip this summer, as the band travels to Ontario to compete at the North American Pipe Band Championships in Maxville, Ontario. The contest, part of the Glengarry Highland Games is being held this year on August 4th.. The band will also be performing at the annual 'B In The Park' concert on Thursday, August 2nd. The concert is held at Confederation Park in Ottawa, from 6:30 - 8:30PM, and will also include performances from the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, the St. Andrews Society Pipe Band of Winnipeg, and the Massed Pipes and Drums of the RCMP. "We are very excited to be competing at the North American Championships, and are very thankful to the organizers of “B In The Park” for the invitation to perform in concert," said Pipe Major David Hilder. The band will round off the trip by competing at the Montreal Highland Games on Sunday, August 5th in Pierrefonds, Quebec. For more information and tickets, go to B in the Park. News, 4/8/07 In their first competition of 2007, the Triumph Street Pipe Band won the Grade 2 mini-band competition at the BCPA Annual Gathering, including the Best Drum Corps, and Best Bass. Thanks to everyone for their hard work and support! News, 4/7/07 Congratulations to TSPB lead tenor Annie Head for winning the BCPA Annual Gathering Solo Professional Tenor class. News, 3/19/07 On Sunday, March 18, 2007, we celebrated the band’s 35th year, St. Patrick’s Day and CelticFest Vancouver at the Triumph Street Pipe Band Fundraiser Concert at The Cellar Nightclub. Thank you to everyone who helped with the monumental task of organizing the event, to those who came to enjoy the concert and lend their support to the band, and to the Penk O'Donnell School of Irish Dance for performing for us at The Cellar.  The band is especially grateful to all former Triumph Street Pipe Band members (and families) who came to share in the excitement! News, 2/23/07 Congratulations to band members Blake Parkinson (1st in Piobaireachd, Jig/Hornpipe and MSR) and Jonanthan Farrell (2nd in Jig/Hornpipe and MSR, 3rd in Piobaireachd) for their great results at the Queen Mary Scottish Festival in Long Beach, California, in February. Press Release, 1/9/07 Pipe Major David Hilder,  Lead Drummer Andre Tessier and Pipe Sergeant Shaunna Hilder will lead a new edition of the Vancouver-based Triumph Street Pipe Band. An agreement in principle was reached between the 3 former RMM leaders and the former grade one band's executive committee late last year, which was ratified at the band's AGM on January 4th. Triumph Street has been relatively inactive on the competition scene for the past couple of seasons due to low membership numbers. In an attempt to return the band to its Grade 1 form of the late 1970's and early 80's, the band's executive committee - which includes former president Kirsten MacKenzie, treasurer Tricia Chisamore, secretary Rob Baikie, former L/D Bruce Roane, and founding member and former Pipe Major Sandy Marshall  - approached Hilder with the offer in early December. "We are very grateful to the past members of the Triumph Street Pipe Band who have so graciously welcomed us into their organization," said David Hilder, who was elected president of the TSPB Society. "We are proud to be associated with an organization that has had such great success in the past, and are looking forward to building the band for the future." Added L/D Andre Tessier: "Our goals for 2007 are modest. We are looking to add some talent to our roster and hopefully land a sponsor, or sponsors. We are also planning on competing at some of the local contests this season." The band's AGM had a very good turnout of players and supporters alike, including the remaining members of the now-defunct RMM2 pipe band. Under the leadership of P/M Hal Senyk and L/D William McErlean, Triumph Street placed 5th in Grade 1 at the 1979 World Pipe Band Championships, and was the first band outside of Scotland to win a major prize when it won "The Sash" for best drum corps.