Heatherbell Pipes and Drums Band
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The Heatherbell Pipes and Drums Band is a youth pipe band based in Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. It is one of the only youth pipe band still operational in Nova Scotia, with members ranging from ages 6 to 18. Formerly the band was called the Heatherbell Girls Pipe and Drum Band, as band was a strictly girls organization upon its creation in 1963. In 2005, the band membership was opened up to include males as well. For fundraising purposes, the band is registered with the province of Nova Scotia as the Heatherbell Scottish Society. Origin The Heatherbells were formed in the early 1963 by world-renowned piper Harold Sutherland. Under his instructing they flourished into a nationally acclaimed pipe band winning competitions where ever they traveled. The Band has traveled all over North America including trips to Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Florida and Calgary to name a few. In 1967, the Heatherbells won the D. C. Sinclair County Championship and traveled to New England where they won the Sandy MacFarlane Trophy as Junior Pipe Band Champions. In 1973, the girls cut a recording, which sold across the continent due to his many piping contacts. The band has released other recordings, the most recent done in 2003. Present Day In the 2013-2014 season, the band celebrated its 50th year in operation through concerts and various community events in Pictou. The largest of these events was a concert and celebration was hosted by the band on November 9, 2014 and consisted of performances by both alumni and the current band members, as well as stories and memorabilia from the bands past endeavors.
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