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:
“On a cloud I saw a child,
And he laughing said to me,
“Pipe a song about a Lamb”;
So I piped with merry chear.
“Piper pipe that song again”—
So I piped, he wept to hear.
“Drop thy pipe thy happy pipe
Sing thy songs of happy chear”;
So I sung the same again
While he wept with joy to hear.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)
“Nothing makes a man feel older than to hear a band coming up the street and not to have the impulse to rush downstairs and out on to the sidewalk.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)