The Innisfail Legion Pipe Band has a new pipe major at the helm.
Bryn Chambers has been part of the Innisfail community for eight years and a member of the pipe band for the past five. He first learned the bagpipes at the age of 15 and played them until he was 20 with the Red Deer Legion Pipe Band.
After a 30-year break, he picked up the pipes once again after moving to town and joining the legion pipe band.
“It was an easy fit. I joined in and started back on the chanter,” he said, noting his Scottish roots on his mothers' side.
“They have great instructors that taught me how to get back on chanter. I did that for a year and then joined the pipe band,” said Chambers. “I've been playing in parades and at events for the last four years.”
Chambers took over the role last September from longtime pipe major Marion McLetchie. He said the pipe band has several great instructors and committed musicians who volunteer and dedicate their time to the band.
“Marian McLetchie was stepping down as pipe major and I stepped forward to take her spot,” he said, noting her 10 years as pipe major. “She did a fantastic job.”
Chambers said some of the responsibilities of a pipe major include choosing the tunes for the band at an event, ensuring the band is organized, calling tunes during a parade, running band practices, and deciding about the band's participation in events.
For many people who love the bagpipes, it is the music that draws them, noted Chambers.
“It's a unique sound. I know there's a lot of people that appreciate the pipes,” he said. “There's a few tunes that people really resonate with.”
The Innisfail Legion Pipe Band isn't all work and is more than just band practice, said Chambers, noting the friendships, excellent music and good times enjoyed together.
“We have social events and outings as well. We have ceilidhs (Celtic parties) -- we get together as a group and we play the pipes, we do some Scottish country dancing and we bring in some other instruments,” said Chambers.
He noted the important role and support from the Innisfail Legion.
“It's a great honour to serve the Innisfail Legion. It's a great organization and when the legion has an event, we make sure we clear our schedule and participate in that,” said Chambers.
“We support the legion and the legion supports us. If we didn't have that we wouldn't have a pipe band.”
Bryn Chambers
"It's a great honour to serve the Innisfail Legion. It's a great organization and when the legion has an event, we make sure we clear our schedule and participate in that."
