By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA—The Caledonia and District Pipes and Drums (CDPD) was formed in early 2001 as organizers wanted to assemble the band to be ready for Caledonia’s 150th celebration in 2003.
They achieved this goal by assembling 24 band members, some hailing from Hamilton and Dunnville, as well as volunteers working in the wings maintaining the instruments, uniforms, and doing promotional work. Over the years band members came and went as their lives changed. Before the pandemic hit the band was 12 members strong, but emerging from COVID today’s membership stands at only two.
Joan and Ken McDonald, who have been with the band from the beginning, are calling for new members and volunteers to get involved and keep this tradition alive.
The founding members back in 2003. —submitted photo
On the musical side, Ken says that they are looking for any interested “people who want to play the pipes or drums well.”
One of the many benefits of becoming a member are free music lessons, as starting at the age of 8, anyone wanting to join can learn from other members. Ken adds, “We would be able to teach new members how to play.”
This said, CDPD would also welcome anyone interested in becoming a pipe or drum tutor. Ken says that anyone looking to return to piping and drumming would make an ideal tutor.
From a volunteer perspective, Joan says anyone with organizational or leadership skills would be an excellent addition to the band. She explains why the CDPD is also looking for help with social media: “I’m not really sure how to network on Facebook and Twitter. It would be lovely if we could attract people from a closer area so they don’t have to travel so far.”
“The long-term view of the band is similar to how the band has been for the last 12 years. In service to all communities in Haldimand.”
Joan and Ken McDonald are the sole remaining current members of the CDPD.
Ken says they hope to return to their original membership levels, and Joan adds that restoring CDPD would be a way of preserving Caledonia’s Scottish heritage.
Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Ken or Joan McDonald at 519-587-3346.
