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Our goal is to provide
you with a professional, and traditional performance regardless of the
venue. It takes years of practice, and expert tutelage to become a
competent, quality piper. One must have an ear for tone as tuning
of the pipes is paramount to create a pleasing sound and
performance. Below is our training and experience.
I grew up to the sounds
of the pipes and drums as my late father John Lethbridge was an
accomplished drummer and played with The 48th Highlanders of Canada, The
Toronto Scottish and The Toronto Irish Pipe Bands. He taught me to play
snare drum, bass drum, and swing the sticks on tenor. Shortly after we
came to Lindsay My father, Ian Watt, and a few others formed The Pipes
and Drums of Lindsay. This is where my interest in the pipes grew.
I was taught by the
late
PM Ian Watt in 1971. I learned from him that playing a tune was not
just an event , it was a journey. And when one followed the map (music)
properly, and one kept his ear to his pipe
(tuned
properly) people would stop to listen.
I played
my first wedding in 1975. Competed with
The Pipes And Drums Of Lindsay and in open solo competition.
I met my
beautiful wife
Margaret while piping with the Lindsay Band. She is an
accomplished piper and was trained by Capt. Bruce Anderson and P/M Jamie
York, so we also offer
duet piping as an option.
We played with
the
C.G.E. Pipe Band from Peterborough in 1980. We then joined the
Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Pipe Band in 1981 where we were
tutored and polished by C.A.F.
P/M CWO Whatley. Pipe Major Whatley is a great teacher and forever
my mentor and good friend.
I played the
part of the piper in a live theatre production of Brigadoon directed by
Diane Nylan Proctor at the Academy Theatre in Lindsay.
I have played
weddings at
Casa Loma in Toronto as well as many more in the City of Kawartha
Lakes, Peterborough, and The Durham Region area.
I
had the extreme honour of playing for
my son's wedding on July 1st 2006.
I have piped
in dignitaries for conventions, dinner parties, curling bonspiels, as
well as service clubs and other organizations. I have played at many
weddings, funerals, birthday parties, hogmanay, Robbie Burns suppers,
whiskey nosings, and opening ceremonies.
I am the official piper for
Oakridge Golf
Club tournaments and have piped for the members tournament at Coppinwood Golf Club.
So if you wish
to add
the sounds of the highlands to your event, we have 37 years
experience to offer for any occasion.
Mark & Margaret
Lethbridge
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