Scottish Lion- 78th Highlanders
About the Band
From the beginning, TheScottish Lion -78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band has played music that has included repertoire considered outside the pipe band norm. In fact, theband has thrived on the continuing musical challenges placed before them. Led by P/M Bill Livingstone, a desire to nurture new ideas, to risk unconventional arrangements, and enthusiasm to play good tunes well, either in concert or in competition, has always been the Frasers’ binding tie.
Since the band formed in 1982, it has played a major role in changing the perception of what can and cannot be done artistically in pipe bands. Drawing upon sources from the full breadth of music in the Celtic idiom, the 78th has evolved pipe band performances to a level of artistry previously unimagined.
Competitively, the Scottish Lion - 78th Fraser Highlanders have been uncommonly successful. The band has won the North American Pipe Band Championship at Maxville, Ontario and the Canadian Pipe Band Championships, now at Hamilton, Ontario, an unprecedented 13 times each. In 2005 they were undefeated on the Ontario contest circuit winning the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario's Grade 1 Champion Supreme title. Over the 18 times it has traveled to and competed in the premier Grade One at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, the 78th have been in the prize list 12 times, and in 1987 the 78th became the first non-Scottish band to win the coveted award. In 2005 the band took 6th place at the World Championships in Glasgow. For more information, visit http://www.78thfrasers.net/.
2007 was another great year for the Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band of Toronto Ontario. The band began the 2007 contest season having seen an in flux of new talent in both the pipe and drum corps. The band enjoyed an undefeated season on the Ontario grade 1 circuit which included a win at Maxville Ontario where they secured the 2007 North American Championship. Their winning season also guaranteed the band the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario’s grade 1 Champion Supreme title and left the band riding high for their annual trek to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow Scotland.
The 2007 World Pipe Band Championship was a huge success for the band despite it being a cold rainy day that left everyone chilled to the core by days end. The SL78th racked up a 4th place overall finish moving up two placings from the previous year. It was however, the drum corps that excelled at the worlds. Under the direction of Lead Drummer Drew Duthart, both the drum corps and bass section brought home world titles for the respective corps. The 9 member snare line accompanied by 6 tenors and a bass turned in two near flawless performances to bring home the gold. And for Drew, his name will finally and rightfully be displayed proudly along with his late father’s on the championship sash.
The SL78th finished off a great year with a very successful concert at the Living Arts Centre in Toronto Ontario. Nearly 1000 people saw what the band believes was their best concert performance to date.
“It was a great year that saw the band grow from strength to strength leaving us in a position to take another big step forward again in 2008. On behalf of Pipe Major Bill Livingstone, Drum Sgt. Drew Duthart and the entire band we would like to thank all those that contributed to the band’s success including our good friends at Pearl Drums” said Bill Baines of the SL78th.
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The Scottish Lion – 78th Fraser Highlanders Choose Pearl
4/26/2006
The Scottish Lion – 78th Fraser Highlanders have entered into a brand new partnership with the Pearl Corporation. For 2006 and beyond, the band will be playing Pearl drums exclusively.
Andrew Duthart, Lead Drummer for 78th Fraser Highlanders said that the Pearl drums are “by far a superior product in every aspect, and the quality of workmanship is excellent.”
According to Kevin Namaky, Marketing Manager for Pearl Corporation, “Pearl is proud to support the efforts of the Scottish Lion – 78th Fraser Highlanders. It is always gratifying to support the art of drumming and music in a positive way.”
“The entire band is very excited about the recent endorsement deal with Pearl Drums, it is a great opportunity for Drew, the entire drum corps and the band as whole, we are looking forward to working with the good folks at Pearl,” said Bill Baines of 78th Fraser.
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