The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band is on top of the world again.
For the first time in 17 years, the band on Saturday won the Grade 1 global title at the World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland.
It’s the band’s seventh championship win.
The band, led by Pipe Major Alan Bevan, “delivered a top-class performance win,” Glasgow Life, the charity which hosts the competition on behalf of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said in a news release.
Bevan said winning the championship is a significant milestone.
“It’s the top prize in the world of pipe bands,” he said.
The win marks the first time since 2010 that a band from outside the U.K. has won the world championship, Glasgow Life said.
Simon Fraser University Pipe Band crowned world champions in Scotland
More than 200 bands from around the world took part in the competition, with thousands of performers from 14 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Oman and Malaysia.
Andrew Lee, a bagpiper in the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, said the band has been waiting a long time win the championship again.
“A lot of years, we thought we were close,” he said. “But to finally get it felt incredible.”
Lee, who has been with the band for 21 years, said it took a lot of hard work and behind-the-scenes organization to get the win.
“We all love what we do, but to win the world championships is a tremendous honour and something we’re very, very happy about,” he said.
The band started its preparations for the competition in the fall, Bevan said.
He said the band tries to be very expressive and imitate the sound of a solo player, something he thinks sets them apart.
“Everyone tries to have a really exciting medley, but I think we tend to play very front-edge,” he said.
With a “dynamic, exciting drum section,” the band often gets a big cheer at the end because of energy generation by the percussion, Bevan said.
Bevan said the players felt extremely well-prepared this year.
“When we got out there, [it] really felt like the band was playing its best.”
The band was judged based on its four performances over the two-day competition.
Lee said the band is made up of people from all walks of life.
“We have teachers, we have lawyers, we have students,” Lee said. “I’m a bagpipe maker, myself.”
Bevan said B.C. and the Pacific Northwest have a number of good teachers and strong youth programs for those interested in learning to play.
“We have a really strong, thriving piping community out here,” he said.
