INNISFAIL - It was a cold morning last Nov. 11 for the Remembrance Day ceremony at the downtown cenotaph.
Nevertheless, hundreds of Innisfail and area residents came to offer their respects, and to take part.
In 2022 there would be a new bagpiper.
“Bagpipes do not like cold weather. It's just the way that the wood and the moisture and the elements work. The expanding and contracting bagpipes hate cold, cold weather,” said Tyler Wallace, the event’s bagpiper from the Innisfail Legion Pipe Band (ILPB).
“But playing for the Remembrance Day ceremony here in Innisfail was extraordinarily rewarding. I was able to play a very important part in that ceremony; the lone piper playing the Lament and I think everyone really liked it.”
Not only was Wallace’s bagpipe playing on Nov. 11 his first for an Innisfail Remembrance Day ceremony it was also the first time he played as the ILPB’s pipe major; the 30-member unit’s highest rank.
Wallace, a 30-year-old Red Deer firefighter paramedic, moved to central Alberta in 2018.
He first joined a pipe band at the age of 20 when an opportunity presented itself at the General Stewart Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Lethbridge. He later moved to Medicine Hat for his paramedic training and played for the South Alberta Pipe Band.
However, the bagpipes were not his instrument. His musical background was in both snare and bass drumming.
He would not learn to play the bagpipes until early 2019 when Wallace joined the ILPB.
“It just so happened Innisfail was having practice the one week. I went down to Innisfail, and I met Michael and Marion McLetchie,” said Wallace referring to the ILPB’s legendary pipe band leaders.
“And it wasn't too long until Michael had a bagpipe and chanter in my hands and started to teach me how to play bagpipes,” said Wallace, whose wife Katelyn is also a member of the band.
He said there is a steep learning curve to play the classic historical woodwind instrument.
“It's an uphill battle the entire time. It doesn't get easier,” he said. “As soon as you think that you know it and got a grasp on it, there's just so much more to learn. But it's also extraordinarily rewarding playing it.”
However, Wallace’s role with Innisfail Legion Pipe Band would change dramatically in 2022. The McLetchies wanted to retire from their positions. Marion was the pipe major while Michael was band manager.
The original ILPB was formed by Branch #104 members in 1961. Marion was a member of that original band for six years.
The original band eventually folded but was restarted in 1998 with Michael joining shortly after. He and Marion married in 2003.
Marion eventually became the pipe major. Michael was the band manager. They taught many successful pipers, including several youth members who have competed in the Highland Games, and winning numerous medals over the years.
Michael organized several band trips, including to Nova Scotia in 2017 and Scotland in 2014 and 2022. The 2022 trip last August was originally scheduled for 2020 to mark the 15th anniversary of the band under the leadership of the McLetchies but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the Scotland trip was completed last August, the couple announced their retirement. In September Wallace was elected by band members as new pipe major.
He concedes there was a tough act to follow.
“Don’t I know it. Marion and Michael have been running this pipe band for the last 20 years with no other real pipe major involved. So, taking over from them has been quite a shift,” said Wallace. “They did put a lot of work into grooming me and trying to get me up to the point where I could take over.
“As far as honouring them and their legacy, I would say just keeping it together, keeping our heads above water during this transition period, and then moving forward.”
As for the McLetchies, they are humbled to have served and are convinced Wallace will lead the band forward and confidently into the future.
“The past 17 years working to rebuild the Innisfail Legion Pipe Band to its current level has flown by for Michael and me. This is a fun band and people have fun playing in it,” said Marion.
“We are committed to supporting Tyler as he learns all the ropes to continuing a happy and successful band.”
