Friends and fans of the Penetangore Pipe Band were treated to an evening of Celtic music last Saturday at the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute. The two-hour concert entitled 'A Celtic Spring' featured Penetangore, Lindsey Beckett & Co., Chris Catley & KPC, the Ann Milne Highland Dancers and the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band. In addition, solo piping performances were delivered by Marshall Chamberlain, Andy Millman and Jake Hunter. Master-of-Ceremonies David Chamberlain kept the large audience entertained between acts and provided some insight into the world of competition pipe bands. He emphasized Penetangore's role as a band that provides advanced instruction in pipes and drums for young, upcoming musicians, and he talked about the dedication and support that is required to maintain the art form. Members of the Burlington Firefighters Pipe Band were on hand to help with ushering and other duties. With the concert out of the way, Penetangore resumes its weekly practice regime to finalize preparations for the upcoming competition season. The Georgetown Highland Games is first on the agenda for June 9.

Today's Owen Sound Sun Times features an article on Penetangore Piper Bill Millman and his son Andy, formerly of Pentangore but now with the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band. The piece in the paper's Entertainment Section also touches on tomorrow evening's 'A Celtic Spring' concert in Owen Sound.  Click here to view the article. For more information on the concert, click here.  

The Penetangore Pipe Band presents 'A Celtic Spring' fundraising concert this coming Saturday on May 5, 2012 at the Owen Sound Collegiate Vocational Institute (OSCVI) auditorium at 7 p.m. Special guest performers include: Linsey Beckett & Co., Ann Milne Highland Dancers, Chris Catley and His KPC Band, and the 2011 North American Championship Peel Regional Police Pipe Band. Admission is $25 per person.

Tickets are available from band members or at the following outlets: Fromager Music in Owen Sound; Kincardine's Scottish Shop; Fincher's Kincardine; Ralph's Hi-Way Shopette in Port Elgin. The Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute is located at 1550 8th Street East in Owen Sound, Ontario.

    The Penetangore Pipe Band suspended its Grade 2 program today following a Board of Directors' decision to focus on advancing the Grade 4 band this summer and re-establishing another Grade 5 band in the fall.
    "Turnout for the Grade 2 rehearsals just hasn't been consistent this year," said Jeff Boyle, Penetangore President. "We had a small core of players who came out to every practice, but we didn't have the commitment we needed from everyone to be ready for competition."
    Grade 2 players are being given the option of playing with the Grade 4 band this season or turning in their kits for release and best wishes to join another organization.
    "It's tough starting a band at the Grade 2 level and maintaining it, given the size and number of Grade 1 bands in Ontario who are always looking for players," said Jeff. "We gave it a good try for a couple of years but we've decided to get back to our grass roots and bring players along in a more natural progression."
    Following a performance this morning at the Supercities Walk for MS in Kincardine, members from both the Grade 2 and 4 bands gathered for a general meeting and rehearsal at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre.
    "I don't think the news was a surprise to anyone," said Jeff. "Those who were at the meeting were quite positive about the future and very keen to spend the afternoon as one big band rehearsing for the upcoming concert." 
    Penetangore's A Celtic Spring fundraising concert is scheduled for Friday, May 5 in Owen Sound. It will feature special performances by the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, Linsey Beckett & Co., Ann Milne Highland Dancers, and Chris Catley and His KPC Band.  Click here for more information.

Both Penetangore bands are scheduled to rehearse tomorrow; Grade 4 at the Red Chevron Club in Guelph, and Grade 2 at the United Church in Milton. In light of Jamie Connolly's recent announcement that he's taking a leave of absense for personal reasons, Dave Goodall will lead the Grade 2 band as Pipe Major, with Art Irvine filling in as Pipe Sergeant. Harv Dawson continues to lead the drum corps. The Grade 4 structure remains the same with Pipe Major Jeff Swance, Pipe Sergeant Rob Hay and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford providing leadership. Penetangore is scheduled to perform as one large band at the Supercities Walk for Multiple Schlerois at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 22. The event will be followed by a same-day rehearsal at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre to prepare for the band's May 5 concert - 'A Celtic Spring' - in Owen Sound. Produced by Penetangore's Music Director Jake Watson, this will be Penetangore's first concert since 2004. It will feature special performances by the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, Linsey Beckett & Co., Ann Milne Highland Dancers, and Chris Catley and His KPC Band. Click here for the details.

A large contingent of Penetangore pipers and drummers are scheduled to perform at the Burlington Legion on March 23 in support of the The Burlington Firefighters Pipes and Drums' 4th annual fundraising Ceildh. This year's event is raising funds for Colleen Nimmo, an associate of the firefighters who has been ill. The evening gets underway at 7 p.m. with music, food and prizes. Penetangore's Grade 4 Pipe Major, Jeff Swance, is also a founding member of the Burlington Firefighters Pipe and Drums. All are welcome.

The Penetangore Pipe Band is pleased to offer congratulations to Dan and Kerri Everett on the birth of their first child, Nathan Robert Everett, on March 15. Dan is a piper with the Grade 4 band.

Penetangore Snare Drummer Brian Turner placed second in Division B Drumming during the final round of the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) Toronto Branch Knockout competition on March 3. Pipers Paul Turner and Marshall Chamberlain also competed at the event which was held at the Moss Park Armoury in Toronto. Their category, Division B Piping, was won by Alexander Seto. Both the Grade 2 and the Grade 4 Penetangore groups are rehearsing this weekend in preparation for an upcoming concert in Owen Sound on May 5. Grade 4 is at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre near Tiverton on Saturday, and Grade 2 is at the United Church in Milton on Sunday. Both bands are also scheduled to perform at the Supercities Walk for MS in Kincardine on April 22.

Three Penetangore musicians have qualified for the final round of the Pipe Band Society of Ontario's Toronto Branch Knockout competiton to be held at the Moss Park Amoury on March 3, 2012. Piper Marshall Chamberlain leads Division B piping with a total of 15 points while Piper Paul Turner is 3rd in the same category with 12 points. Snare Drummer Brian Turner is tied for 2nd in B Division drumming, heading into the final round. The Knockout series has three divisions for solo pipers and drummers: Division A includes Grade 1 and 2 players; Division B includes Grades 3 and 4; Division C is a Grade 5 pipers-only contest. It is held over six dates from October to March at the Moss Park Armoury in Toronto with competitors in Divisions A and B collecting points to qualify for a final round.

The Penetangore Pipe Band is scheduled to kick off the 12th annual Supercities Walk for Multiple Sclerosis in Kincardine, Ontario at 10 am. on Sunday, April 22. This will be the 10th year the band has supported the event, which has raised well over a million dollars to fight the disease and support those afflicted with it. On May 5, Penetangore will host a 'Penetangore & Friends Celtic Spring Concert' at the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute (OSCVI) in Owen Sound, Ontario. Watch for the details!