There were plenty of wide grins on Saturday (June 21), as the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band placed first in four provincial competitions at the B.C. Legion Highland Gathering in Langley.The Highland Gathering competitions can be very nerve-racking, according to Pipe Major Luc Leblanc. Not only does the band compete as one musical unit, but individual members also compete in various categories, but the members rose to the occasion valiantly. "They commanded the field," said Leblanc.Twenty-nine-year old Erik Musseau placed first in the Junior Amateur Jig-Horpipe competition, a feat that Leblanc said he and the other members were really proud of, especially given Musseau's other band responsibilities."[He] was responsible for all the tuning [of our instruments]," said Leblanc. "And that's what pushed us into the award-winning categories."The band placed in 18 different categories, ranging from first to fourth place. "We excelled," said Leblanc, clearly excited about the winnings. "We got excellent comments from professional judges. They said Squamish is an excellent little band."Indeed, the emotions were running high on Saturday for all members."We were so proud of the kids, especially the ones who [had] never competed," said Pipe Sergeant Ailsa Yaky. "Everyone tried and went in, and all of them did so well."As the youngest legion pipe band in the province, Black Tusk Caledonia and has watched its numbers grow. "We started in 1995 with eight members," said Leblanc, "and now we have 20 members."The average age of a band member is 25 years old, although Yaky's father, Jim Crombie, who is 84, is a passionate member. "He can out-march all of us," laughed Yaky. Grace McKay is the youngest member, at just 14 years old. "Gracie almost cried when I told her she had to compete," said Leblanc, "but she got second place."The band, which was grandfathered into the Highland Gathering from its previous legion name in 2000, currently holds third place out of 18 bands in the province. Campbell River and Cowichan hold first and second, respectively. The Highland Gathering meets in a different community every year."They want to come to Squamish," said Leblanc, adding with a laugh, "but I don't think we're ready for it." Over 200 band members and their families attend the annual gathering, which includes competitions throughout the day and a banquet in the evening. "The kids just went crazy," Yaky said about the banquet, which includes a dinner and dancing hosted by a DJ. The Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band practices once a week for 42 weeks of the year, performs 10 to 12 times a year, and always welcomes new members."This is the corridor's band," said Leblanc. New members can find practice times and more information on the band's performances at www.squamishpipeband.ca.
