The Kenmore District Pipe Band

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In February some groups of alumni from the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band were meeting and enjoying the renewal of fond memories. The "Keith," as they are called, is one of the oldest (founded in 1952) and one of the last regimental pipe bands remaining on the west coast.

When the subject about the new city of Kenmore arose, questions liked: where is Kenmore? It’s a City . . . , was incorporated about two years ago? Its sisters’ city is Kenmore, Scotland . . . does it have a pipe band? The City of Victoria has a pipe band. The City of Glasgow has a pipe band. The City of Washington, D.C. has a pipe band. What about the City of Kenmore? Richard Detjen & James McGillivray took this on as a real life project.

The next step was a meeting with Mr. Richard Taylor, Mayor for the City of Kenmore. He though that the idea had real merit and suggested that we meet with and give a presentation to The Arts of Kenmore organization. Thanks to Mr. Roland Lundstrom, this was done on April 26, 2001 at the Northlake Lutheran Church. From there we met with Mr. Steve Anderson, City Manager for Kenmore. He too thought that the idea of a pipe band for Kenmore was an excellent idea. On the evening of June 25, 2001, Detjen & McGillivray made a presentation to the Kenmore City Council. The issue will be further discussed during the City Council planning meeting on the evening of July 2, 2001 . . . and so we wait for the outcome.

The Players:

Richard Detjen has lived in Kenmore (Uplake) since 1970. The family’s five children have matriculated through the Northshore Schools (Kenmore Elementary, Kenmore Junior High and Inglemoor High School) so he has an investment in the Kenmore community. Dick was a tenor drummer with the Keith for 12 years, and served as the Band’s Secretary. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of The Mastery of Scottish Arts and holds the position of Corporate Secretary.

James McGillivray has been active in the Scottish community for nearly 41 years. His father was originally from Scotland and his Mother taught highland dancing. At the age of seven years old, Jim started out as a highland dance and about the time he was twelve years old he turned to the bag pipes. He has held every position of responsibility in the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band from basic piper to Pipe Sergeant and Pipe Major. In addition he has held every major office on the Bands executive council from Quartermaster to Band President.

Details: The name will be: .

Kenmore District Pipe Band

The kilt tartan will be:

The Perthshire District Tartan. Perthshire, Scotland is the district in which township of Kenmore is located.

The band symbol will be:

A modification of the City of Kenmore logo and will be displayed on the bass drum.

The cap badge will be:

A special belted garter cap badge is under design and will incorporate the Great Blue Heron marsh bird that resides in the wet lands of Kenmore. At a later date, the design will be submitted to the Lord Lyon of Scotland for recognitation and approval.

The band motto:

The motto will be in Latin and will consist of two words. "Comitas Contagium." Freely translated means "Courtesy is Contagious" or the motto of the city of Kenmore. It will be inscribed on the interred ring of the belted garter cap badge, stationery, business cards, organizational awareness items and any band impedimenta the officers deem necessary.

Current Status:

At present there are six pipers and six drummers that will form the cadre of the band. These people are all qualified. Some of them have played before in other pipe bands or have performed as members of the same pipe band. Their working knowledge is extremely good and now they are being molded into a working team. Eventuly there will be a total of 19 players, more pipers than drummers