The 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) Pipe Band is a grade one pipe band formed in 1983 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
They work in conjunction with a re-enactor troop for the 78th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot, the regiment that spent almost three years stationed at Citadel Hill (Fort George) (1869-1871). When the 78th Highlanders were in Halifax they had 21 drummers and 6 pipers. Today there are approximately 60 pipers and drummers.
Pipe Major of the original Regiment Alexander McKellar wrote many compositions including the 78th's Farewell to Belgaum, Burning of the Piper's Hut, Highland Brigade's March to Lucknow and The Barren Rocks of Aden - the latter often being attributed to others. "...ot a note in it but what was composed by me. The air is mine. The name is mine. Who has a better right to give a name to a child but the father," replied McKellar when asked about its origin.
The band played the song "Mull of Kintyre" live with Sir Paul McCartney on July 11, 2009 in Halifax. (See Video).
The band's Pipe Major is Alex Gandy; lead drummer is Dave Danskin.
Famous quotes containing the words pipe and/or band:
“Pan’s Syrinx was a girl indeed,
Though now she’s turned into a reed;
From that dear reed Pan’s pipe does come,
A pipe that strikes Apollo dumb;
Nor flute, nor lute, nor gittern can
So chant it, as the pipe of Pan;”
—John Lyly (1553–1606)
“And the heavy night hung dark
The hills and waters o’er,
When a band of exiles moored their bark
On the wild New England shore.”
—Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1783–1835)