University of Calgary Pipe Band

The University of Calgary , like the City of Calgary, has a well-established Scottish tradition to maintain. Colonel James MacLeod of the North West Mounted Police named Calgary after a town on his native Isle of Mull, Scotland. The University of Calgary Pipe Band has become a part of that tradition by performing at convocations and other special events. University of Calgary alumnus Jim Odell, a founding and now honorary member of the Band, was responsible for researching and developing a new tartan for the University of Calgary. The University was formally accredited its own tartan on May 4, 2001. The Band performs regularly at ceremonies, parades and private functions throughout the Calgary and Southern Alberta area. The Band can often be seen marching in the annual Canada parades in Banff and Canmore. The Band also organizes & sponsors the Alberta Massed Pipes and Drums, with the primary goal of participating in the Calgary Stampede Parade. In 2004, the Massed Band featured members of various pipe bands throughout Alberta and the Prairies. The Band received the first place award as the best pipe band in the parade. The Band has also become well known for its annual Robbie Burns Supper and Dance held the last week of January.