The Brisbane Boys' College Pipe Band, formed in 1940, is the most widely known performing groups of BBC. Boys of all ages may enrol for instruction in pipes or drums to eventually qualify as members of the band.

Band and drill practice is conducted on Friday afternoons after school. Private instrumental tuition is available during the week for both pipes and side drum. This is administered by the Music Department. Instruction in bass and tenor drum is provided in small class prior to full band practices on Friday afternoons.

The College provides all members of the band with a uniform (military pattern). The band tartan is Hunting McLean which incorporates the College colours.

The Pipe Band traditionally performs at the ANZAC parade in the city and the College's music concerts and speech nights. Most public performances, such as hospital and school fetes, take place on Saturdays during Terms 2 and 3.

History

The Brisbane Boys' College Pipe Band originally was a Fife and Drum Band formed as part of the Cadet Corps in 1939. Pipes were introduced in 1940 when Piper and Lance-Corporal Robert Lawrie introduced his skill to the College community. Dressed in kilts of the Red Cameron tartan, the Band functioned, predominantly accompanying the Cadet Corps, until 1945, after which no band featured again in College life until a reformation in 1959. Wearing Ancient Hunting Sinclair tartan kilts (1960 to 1977), the band once again added colour to College and community life with their high degree of ability and dedication to practice.

The current band tartan of Ancient Hunting MacLean, incorporating the College colours, was introduced in 1976 by a newly formed band committee. Over the years, every bandsman, whether a piper or a drummer, has been equally important to the whole. Perhaps no other words sum this up so eloquently as those by Mr D Sinclair (Piping Master 1972 - 1979):

"(You) may like to know what a Pipe Band can offer that is really worthwhile. It is a social activity which can bring credit to the School. If the Band functions well it can take the School to the General Public in a most marked manner with its music and distinctive uniform which cannot be confused with any present organisation in Brisbane at least." (1977 Portal)

In 2005 the Pipe Band commemorated 65 years as one of the most widely known performing groups of Brisbane Boys' College.

Pipe Band Tutors

Donald Galloway, BBC Pipe Band Director

Donald Galloway commenced learning the bagpipe at the age of twelve and over the years has competed in bagpipe solo competitions, winning prizes in Australia and South East Asia. Donald also spent many years as a playing member of a leading Brisbane pipe band, during which time the band competed and featured in the prize list at competitions in this country and overseas. Donald is a registered adjudicator with the Australian Pipe Band Association Incorporated (Queensland Branch) and, from time to time, is called upon to judge both solo and pipe band competitions in Queensland and interstate. Over the past few years, Donald has supported socially, and on occasions in a playing sense, the Brisbane Boys' College Pipe Band while his son, now a past student, was a piper in the band. Donald is now continuing his association with the school as the Director of the Pipe Band and bagpipe tutor, a role which he finds both rewarding and a pleasant challenge.

Steven Thomas Stanley

Stevie was born and brought up in a town called Penicuik, which is 10 miles south of Edinburgh.

Stevie started drumming at the age of four with the Penicuik Boys Brigade Pipe Band and stayed there for a few years before moving on to another local band, West Linton & District. Both bands were disciplined in teaching youth and were excellent in their dress and deportment, winning many prizes including the world championships.

In his early teens, Stevie moved on and joined the Scottish Gas Caledonia Pipe Band, under Drum Sgt John Moneagle. This proved to be a very successful period for Stevie in both drumming and drum majoring, with Stevie winning all Junior Drum Major Championship titles, including the World Championship and Champion of Champion crown. ‘The Gas', as a Drum Corps, also won the worlds and Champion of Champions title. He also produced a CD with the band titled ‘Out of the Blue’.

In 1994 Stevie joined the world famous Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band, (formally, Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band), under Drum Sgt Arthur Cook. The band had a great crew of players and to be playing in the top grade with these members was certainly one of the highlights. The band had some fantastic trips and the most prestigious ones would certainly be, playing for Pope John Paul II at his Christmas Carol Concert in the Vatican City and the St Andrew’s Society Ball, in Jakarta.

In 1999, Stevie moved over from Scotland to take up new residence in Australia and commenced employment with the Queensland Police Pipes & Drums. He has performed all over Australia with the band and was with them when they travelled to Scotland to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships. The band produced an excellent CD in 2000 titled ‘Pandora’s other Box’, which Stevie was very proud to be part of.

Stevie loves competing and was appointed Drum Sergeant of St. Andrew's Pipe Band, Brisbane, in June 2002. At that point the band was competing in Grade III, but since he has taken over the reins the band has progressed through the ranks to Grade II, winning both the New Zealand Championships and the MSR at the Australian Championships.

Stevie’s other passion is teaching and he has taught at various bands and schools throughout Scotland and Queensland. He is very versatile instructor and tutors snare, bass, tenor and the art of drum majoring.

He has tutored and established many successful wee drum corps. None more so than his time with the Penicuik Boys Brigade who had many successful years winning many Scottish and Edinburgh Battalion B.B. competitions. Another successful outfit was when he was instructing at Lorretto College in Edinburgh. Their drum section, who was co-tutored with Michael O’Neil and Stevie; was awarded best drum corps in the Scottish schools, and Stevie’s two drum major pupils were placed 1^st and 2^nd.

At present Stevie is still actively tutoring and has a large involvement with Brisbane Boys College Pipe Band, Queensland Police Juvenile and BBC Old Collegians. These well established bands are becoming stronger and stronger every year and with the correct structures in place, provided by Stevie and his excellent co-tutors, these bands can aim to become part of the top tier bands in Queensland.