The Comox Valley Pipe Band Society has been preserving and promoting Scottish culture in the Valley since 1985. They’re a registered non-profit that performs at parades, community events, and Highland gatherings, and also provides bagpiping and drumming services for private occasions like weddings or memorials. If you’ve seen bagpipes at a local event, it’s likely this group.

Beyond performances, they run training programs teaching young people and adults how to play bagpipes and pipe band drums. Many of their current band members learned through the organization’s instruction, so there’s an established path from beginner to performer. Practices happen at the 888 Wing Club House: full pipes and drums band practice on Mondays at 7pm, and chanter and drum pad instruction on Wednesdays at 7pm for those learning the basics.

The band notes they have a large number of young students, which speaks to active youth participation alongside adult musicians. If you’re interested in learning bagpipes or drumming, or just appreciate Scottish music and want to support the group, they’re open to new members. Check their website or Facebook page for membership information and how to get started with instruction.