Members of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band will be packing their kilts and heading to Scotland over the next few days to try to reclaim their title as ranking world bagpipe champions.
Formed in 1966 during the universitys inaugural year, the 47-members of the band can blow their own horns for being one of only three bands from outside of the United Kingdom to ever win a world bagpipe championship title, which theyve done six times in total and twice in the past four years.
At the heart of the senior band are the Lee brothers, Jack, pipe sergeant, and Terry, pipe major, who have been members for more than three decades. The two men were taught to play the pipes by their great-grandfather and have since taught their own three sons to play.
A love for the ancient instrument is now firmly in the family blood, said John Lee, Jacks 19-year-old son, who will be making his second trip to Glasgow as a member of the band. The group came in third on his last trip, and he said they are hoping to once again win it all.
It was a little bit disappointing but I thought third place was still pretty good, said Lee. With over 230 bands from 12 different nations and with the quality of competitors continually rising, he said the challenge to stay on top is intense.
I think our chances are pretty good. Its hard to say because there are a lot of other great bands who are playing good as well. Field Marshall Montgomery are considered the favourites this year, they are the ones to beat.
As a bit of a warm-up for the worlds, the band also will compete this weekend in the annual Pacific Northwest Highland Games in Washington, where they are considered one of the star attractions.
The piping hot pipers from a Canadian school named after a Scotsman have even been dubbed "the Beatles of the bagpipe world," and the fab 47 were also the subject of a recent documentary Battle of the Bagpipes: A Journey to the World Pipe Band Championship, that documented the bands preparations for the annual tournament.
Filmed on location in Scotland by cameraman Thomas Buchan, the hour-long documentary focuses primarily on the Lees, illustrating how each generation embraces playing the reveredand occasionally reviledinstrument that is now more than 5,000 years old.
"The film tells the story well, it captures the mood and spirit of the band as we prepare for what has become a defining moment for us every year," said Terry Lee.
The world championships draws thousands of spectators and more than 200 bands to Glasgow Green each year.
The SFU pipers and drummers compete in the elite Grade one division, including the March, Strathspey and Reel, and the Medley, a five-to-seven minute performance chosen and arranged over the course of several months by the band.
The Aug. 13 event, included as part of the Glasgow World Highland Games Championships, will be streamed live on the BBC Scotland website.
