Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band (FMM) has confirmed that Sean McKeown and Ian K. MacDonald will be competing with them this season. Sean and Ian have both served as Pipe Major and Pipe Sergeant of the Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band as well as being leading solo pipers. Toronto Police has been forced to take a year out of competing after failing to source an appropriate Leading Drummer.
In addition, Pipe Major Peter MacGregor (4 SCOTS) and former Police Service of Northern Ireland members, Jake Walker and Ben Gibson, have joined the FMM pipe corps.
In a statement confirming the new members, Richard Parkes said: “I am delighted to welcome Jake, Peter, Sean, Ian K and Ben to the band. They have been seamless fits to how we do things and will all help elevate our playing in 2019.”
Richard Parkes is the most successful pipe major in pipe band history. This year, he is aiming for a record-breaking 13 World Pipe Band Championship titles.