Talk:Victoria Police Pipe Band

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Australia: Victoria / Music Mid‑importance

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What caused Vic Police to change the band?[edit]

Does any one know why the Vic Police changed the band? After all having the world's best pipeband based in Victoria is no mean feat. Ozdaren 12:02, 30 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It was an administrative decision. It seems as if the goal set in 1987 by the band to become the best in the world, once attained, renderd (according to Police adminstration) such continued feats unncessary. How it happened: The band had just reached home after the world championships and were on a street parade or similar celebration, when announcements were made. The band was congratulated then all band members heard for the first time of the plans to cease the competition element of the band. My source on this is Harold Gillespie himself (I am a student of his). gummAY 03:48, 31 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks gummAY, I played with AUR and then City of Adelaide Pipe Band. I've been out of the pipeband scene for a while now (Too busy with rowing). What a shame it ended that way. Where did Nat Russell go to? back to NI? Ozdaren 08:59, 31 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

No worries, It is a great shame indeed :( I'm unsure of Nat Russell's movements in the few years following the breakup, but he is now a Pipeing judge with the VHPBA. He's been in such a position since at least 2004, perhaps earlier and as you can likely confirm; I don't believe judges are allowed to have playing positions in bands. I'd be interested in writing a biographical of Gillespie, he's had a very interesting past and was world champ solo drummer at one stage, but even if moderated by his son's prescence he'd be too gruff to allow it. gummAY 01:36, 1 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yep Nat Russell has been judging in varying degrees since the early 90's. I don't know about a playing and judging rule though. Ozdaren 14:43, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Band Name[edit]

I notice the band's name has been supposedly changed to Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band. Is this a confusion with the Canadian band of the same name? Looking through the VicPol website I can only find reference to the original name. Any ideas? Ozdaren 14:49, 9 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, I've never heard it referred to as such, but one of the sources I used to write this article said it, I'm sure - why I didn't link it is beyond me. I will see if I can find it -- I seem to recall it was on the tail end of a Masterblasters review. Might change the article back until it can be proved, it just doesn't sound right, thanks for the heads up:). --gummAY 10:09, 10 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]