Skip to main content

Fraser Pipe Band (Regina)

The Regina Boys' Pipe Band
The Regina Boys' & Girls' Pipe Band
The Fraser Pipe Band
A Short History of the Fraser Pipe Band [PDF]

reginaboys1930
The Regina Boys' Pipe Band - 1930
This photo was taken of the original boys' band in about 1930-2. It was given to P-M John Wilson by a Mrs. Sutherland in 1976 when he came to Regina with his wife Margaret (Ireland) Wilson to teach the Fraser Pipe Band.
FPB trip to us 
 Regina Boys' Kiltie Band

1932
This old Leader-Post newspaper clipping was sent in by Ward Faulkner, a long-time student of PM Neil Sutherland. 
This describes a trip to the US by the Regina band to help promote the Regina Grain Show.

 fraser1930s
The Regina Boys Pipe Band in the 1930s.
This photo would start a tradition in the band of having offical photos
taken on the steps of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
fraser first kilts 

Regina Boys' Pipe Band
1966?
This photo of an old Leader-Post newspaper clipping was sent in by Bill Pritchard, former pipe major of Edmonton & District [then Big Rock] Grade 3 band. Bill was the first P-M of the Regina Boys' Pipe Band, later known as the Fraser Pipe Band. The band had this picture taken the first time they appeared in uniform. Many pictured are not piping [that we know of]. Doug Lutz played in the Maritimes, Bill Pritchard is in Nova Scotia, and Joanne Urquhart (now Bandur) was P-M of the Regina Police Service Pipe Band, and has since had a daughter play in and then teach the Fraser Pipe Band and the 96th Highlanders.

 fraser1968

The Regina Boys and Girls Pipe Band
at the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Band Festival, 1968.
Back row (L-R): Doug Lutz, Rod Sim, Jeff Sim, Brian Wood, Larry Garth, Bill Pritchard (P/M).
Middle row (L-R): Janice Pritchard, Iain MacDonald, Dale McDermott, John Donnelly, Joanne Urquhart.
Front row (L-R): Dave Deck, Bruce Lutz (L/D), Hugh Eberhardt, Trevor Ewan, Tom Jones, Brian Alquhist, Allan Ireland.

parade.60s
The Regina Boys and Girls Pipe Band 
parade.60s.2
The Regina Boys and Girls Pipe Band 
parade.69

The Regina Boys and Girls Pipe Band 

Travellers' Day Parade in Regina. This was one of the few occasions when instructor Andy McAnsh played with the band to boost numbers.

parade.69.1
The Regina Boys and Girls Pipe Band 
Tuning for Travellers' Day Parade. L-R: Andy McAnsh, Iain MAcDonald, Joianne Urquhart. Bill Pritchard and Dave Dech can be seen across the circle.
parade.69.2
The Regina Boys and Girls Pipe Band 
 selkirk.69

Selkirk Highland Games, July 1969
The band took a trip to the Selkirk Highland Games in the vinatge bus, pictured. L-R: Larry Garth, Brian Woods, Trevor Ewan, Jeff Sim?, Larry Dunn (in back), Joanne Urquhart, Janis Pritchard, Iain MacDonald, Dave Dech.

clipping July69 

Leader-Post article, July 1969
The band took a trip to the Selkirk Highland Games. Travelling in an un-airconditioned bus, the band
stopped for lunch at Virden, MB on the way. Temperatures reached 100°F on the way, and when the
band reached Selkirk, we slept in the hockey rink [boys] and a local church hall [girls].

1970article
Leader-Post article 1970
Back row, L-R: P/M Bill Pritchard, Larry Garth, Trevor Ewan (bass), Rod Sim, P/Sgt. Doug Lutz, Iain MacDonald
Front row: D/Cpl. Brian Alquhist, Dave Dech, Janice Pritchard, Joanne Urquhart, D/Sgt. Bruce Lutz, Alan Ireland
 fpb postcard

The Fraser Pipe Band
Saskatchewan Legislature, 1970
Back row, L-R: P/M Doug Lutz, Ric Clemence, Iain MacDonald, P/Sgt. Rod Sim
2nd row: Louise Durnford, Laurie Dunn, Trevor Ewan (bass), Joanne Urquhart, Bonnie Durnford
3rd row: Pat Rappel, Dave Dech, Trevor Ewan (bass), D/Sgt. Bruce Lutz, Larry Dunn
Front row: Kay Tweedle, Doug Nixon, Dale Mcdermott, Allan Ireland

quartet.1970 

Quartet
Moose Jaw Band Festival, 1970
Doug Lutz [L], Dale McDermitt [back], Iain MacDonald [front] and Rod Sim.

 FPB parentsnight1971

Fraser Pipe Band parents' night
First Presbyterian Church
Front row, L-R: Betty Anne McDougall, ?, Instructor Andy McAnsh
Bass drummer is Ric Clemence, right in front is Brenda Brough, Tenor drummer Diane Gemmel.

 fraser1971

The Fraser Pipe Band
1971
This photo was taken at the Saskatchewan Legislature.
Front L-R: Kay Tweedle, Doug Nixon, Mrs, Georgina Fraser [Band Patron], Dale Mcdermit, Alan Ireland
Middle Row L-R: Mr. Cline [Executive], Pat Rappel, Dave Dech, Trevor Ewan, D/Sgt. Bruce Lutz, Larry Dunn
3rd Row L-R: Cliff Durnford [Exec.], Louise Durnford, Lorie Dunn, Joanne Urquhart, Bonnie Durnford
4th Row: Fred and Enid Sim, P/M Doug Lutz, Ric Clemence, Iain MacDonald, Rod Sim, Gerry Dunn
Back row [parents]: Fred & Betty Urquhart, Betty Ann Lutz, Helen MacDonald, Betty King, Melita Clemence
[Thanks to Joanne (Urquhart) Bandur for filling in the blanks!]

1971 postcard side1
1971 postcard side2
The Fraser Pipe Band
1971
This photo was taken at the Saskatchewan Legislature.

 playing at leg 73

parade.leg.70s

The Fraser Pipe Band
1973
This photo was taken at the Saskatchewan Legislature.
Front L-R: Rod Sim [bass drone], Doug Nixon, Joanne Urquhart, Iain MacDonald.
Graham Neill is the wee blonde guy in the 2nd row.

 fraser article1

fraser article2

Article from March 1972 Piping Times

This article was written by band member Iain MacDonald, and was published in the Piping Times in 1972.
[Image courtesy: The Piping Times]

fraser1974 

Moose Jaw Kinsmen Band Festival
1974

Back Row: Alan Stobbs, Ken Clemence, Brenda Brough, Mary Ann Houston, Cathy Clemence, Joanne Urquhart, P/Sgt. Doug Nixon
Middle Row: P/M Iain MacDonald, Betty Anne McDougall, Rod MacDonald, Bruce Black, Sandy Smith, Dianne Gemmel
Front row:Sharon Stobbs, Beth England, Arlene Clemence, Ric Clemence, D/Sgt Bruce Lutz, Fergus MacMillan, Jamie Aitken

tuning.drones70s
Tuning Drones.
Joanne Urquhart and Iain MacDonald
4
Slow Air event at Mid-Canada Championship
Winnipeg, MB. 1974
7
Slow Air event at Mid-Canada Championship
Winnipeg, MB. 1974
9
On the line at Selkirk
Waiting to play at Selkirk Games, 1975. L-R: (Front Row) Iain MacDonald, Joanne Urquhart, Doug Nixon, (2nd row) Betty Anne McDougall, Ken Clemence, Sandy Smith, (3rd row) Ros MacDonald, Mary Ann Houston. Snare drummer Jamie Aitken at back right. Bass drummer Ric Clemence. Others not seen are tenor drummers Beth England, Sharon Stobbs and Diane Gemmel, L-D Bruce Lutz, drummer Rob Houston.
10
Tuning by the river at Selkirk
Waiting to play at Selkirk Games, 1975. L-R: Diane Gemmel, Sharon Stobbs, Beth England (drummers, with backs to camera), Iain MacDonald, Ken Clemence, Sany Smith (hidden), Mary Ann Houston (back to camera), Brenda Brough. 
16
FPB Tenor Drummers
Waiting to play at Selkirk Games, 1975. L-R: Beth England, Sharon Stobbs, Diane Gemmel
 fraser ottawa 75

Canadian Pipe Band Champioships
1975

Back Row: P/Sgt. Doug Nixon, Jamie Aitken, Betty Anne McDougall,Mary Ann Houston, Rob Stobbs
Front row: P/M Iain MacDonald, Sandy Smith, Sharon Stobbs, Dianne Gemmel, Graham Neill,
Rob Houston, Barbara McDougall, D/Sgt Bruce Lutz

The PPBA held a championship in the spring to choose a Saskatchewan representative, and
the Fraser Pipe Band won. The band travelled to Ottawa, where it placed 3rd in the Canadian and 5th on the Open Grade 3 Championship against the best bands from every province in Canada.
The band also performed in a large tattoo.

clipping June75
 Leader-Post clipping about the Ottawa trip. July 1975.
selkirk.1975

Selkirk Highland Games
1975

L-R: Iain MacDonald, Bruce Black, Bruce Lutz, Rob Stobbs, Jamie Aitken, Mary Ann Houston, Jim Watt, Doug Nixon
Front: Diane Gemmel, Sharon Stobbs, Barbara McDougall, Ric Clemence [kneeling],
Rob Houston, Tim Coffey, Graham Neill

 clipping July75
Leader-Post clipping. July 1975.
iainmacd presentation
Silver Chanter Presentation
November, 1975
The Fraser Pipe Band at one time presented outgoing pipe-majors with a presentation practice chanter. Mrs. Georgina Fraser (L) presents a  chanter to Iain MacDonald. Looking on at right is Band President, Frederick England.
clippping photo June76sm

LeaderPost story about Mrs. Fraser- June 1976
Mrs. Georgina Fraser came to Canada from Scotland to farm, and she instrumental
in reforming the band in the 1960s. By this time, she was retired in Regina, and
for many years she played an active role, including as band patron.
She purchased 15 sets of R.G. Hardie silver and ivory bagpipes for the band, and
new drums and other equipment.

 clipping June76
Leader-Post story, June, 1976.
Mrs.Fraser.signature
Mrs. Fraser signing a photo of the band.
clipping Dec1978

Scotland Fundraising - December 1978
Barbara McDougall and Tim Coffey pipe during part of Fraser's 24-hour pipe-a-thon
to raise money for the 1979 Scotland trip. The band played for 24-hours in shifts
at Darke Hall in Regina.

 clipping Mar79

From the Yorkton paper - 1979
Barbara McDougall pipes for Provincial Curling Championship.

 Barb cathy 79

From the Yorkton paper - 1979
Barbara McDougall and Cathy Felstrom pipe for Provincial Curling Championship.

 fraser1979

Fraser Pipe Band at Regina City Hall - 1979
This was the year that the band travelled to Scotland. P/M was Barbara McDougall,
P/Sgt Cathy Clemence and D/Sgt Jamie Aitken.

 fraser.balloch.79
Fraser Pipe Band at Carluke Highland Games - 1979

carluke.games.1979
Fraser Pipe Band at Carluke Highland Games - 1979

A report on the Carluke Highland Games i the local paper.
clipping.july.1979

Fraser Pipe Band at Carluke Highland Games - 1979

A report on the Carluke Highland Games in the Leader-Post.

 Fraserburgh.1979
 Fraser Pipe Band in Scotland - 1979

Members of the band meet with the Provost and his wife at Dumfries.The Provost has a go at Barb McDougall's pipes.

mrs.fraser.obit
Leader-Post Article.
Mrs. Georgina Fraser, the band's patron, dies. Mrs. Fraser and her late husband Alex came from Scotland, worked on farms, and eventually owned their own, north of the city. When the city expansion took over their land, they made a significant amount of money, and still lived modestly in a north-Regina home. Mrs. Fraser made significant contributions to the band over the years, helping with equipment and travel, including in 1968 12 sets of silver and ivory R.G. Hardie pipes, and 6 Premier "Super Royal Scot" chrome snare drums.
clipping.1981
Fraser Pipe Band at Saskatchewan Championships (1981)
The Sask Championships were held in Yorkton for the first time, and run by the Yorkton and District Pipe Band and long-time SPBA Treasurer Eva Gillard and husband Dave Gillard.
fraser1983

Fraser Pipe Band at Saskatchewan Legislature (1983)
Band Director Iain MacCrimmon back row left.

fraser burns
 
sk.band.assoc SAB FINAL LOGO CMYK 500 saskculturelogoc SKLotteries logo HOR 500