Invitation to the George Sherriff Amateur Invitational in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

While the contest is indoors, traveling to play bagpipes in Ontario in November conjures interesting images

When many in the Northwest are starting to dream of Hawaiian vacations and tropical climates, Alexander will be preparing for the George Sherriff Memorial Amateur Invitational Competition in Hamilton, Ontario on November 20th this year.

This prestigious competition was  started by the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario to memorialize a dedicated teacher, composer, band member & leader who contributed a lot of his life to supporting talented piping in Ontario after emigrating from Scotland. Invitations go out to the top amateur pipers throughout North America each year.  The annual event is limited to 10 pipers, who perform 6/8 Marches in the morning, Piobaireachd in the afternoon, and a March, Strathspey & Reel in the evening. Alexander was the runner up for the Grand Aggregate in Grade 1 piping this year and is very pleased and honored to receive the invitation. 


Last year's overall winner at the event, Richard Gillies (now a BCPA Professional piper) won $800 from the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario for a trip to Scotland for competition or tuition, a set of engraved McCallum pipes and the George Sherriff Memorial Championship Banner and trophy. The contestants haven't been announced yet, but the aggregate winner from the BC Annual Gathering competition receives funds to cover the cost of the trip to this event, so the BCPA region should be represented by Myles Stewart and Alexander. Myles won the overall Grand Aggregate.  Alexander knows another competitor who will be there; Marshall German from California, from the Balmoral Classic where they both competed last year.  Good luck to all competitors!