I’m very pleased to be returning to the City of Sheffield Pipe Band as Pipe Major, having previously had the privilege of leading the Band in 2022 & 2023.
Most importantly, I want to pay tribute to the members who have continued to support, develop and build the Band. Their commitment has ensured that there are strong foundations on which we can build the next chapter.
The past three years have been a period of considerable change for the Band, with changes in personnel and players along the way. Throughout that time, the commitment of those who have continued to rehearse, perform and support the Band has been enormously important. We now find ourselves entering a welcome period of greater stability, with a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm across the group. It feels like the right moment to build on everything that has been achieved, strengthen the Band musically and look confidently towards its future.
Our focus will be straightforward: good-quality playing, strong ensemble standards, and a welcoming and respectful environment in which players can develop and progress.
Central to this will be our Tuesday evening learner and development band. This will provide a clear pathway from learning the pipes and drums through to playing with the main band. Supporting and encouraging developing players is fundamental to ensuring that the City of Sheffield Pipe Band continues to flourish for many generations to come.
The Thursday evening main band will build on this with a greater focus on established and more advanced playing, including MSRs, more advanced marches and musical sets, alongside the traditional and core repertoire required for parades and public engagements.
We would particularly like to hear from experienced pipers and drummers who are interested in joining the main band and contributing to its musical development. Experienced players wishing to parade or undertake engagements with the Band will naturally be expected to have the standard massed-band tunes and the Band’s core repertoire securely prepared before doing so.
There is already a great deal of good work to build upon. The aim now is to bring people together, support our developing players, challenge our more experienced musicians, and continue raising the musical standards of the Band.
Above all, we want to build a strong, welcoming and sustainable pipe band for Sheffield — one with a clear pathway for the next generation and plenty to offer established players too.
I’m very much looking forward to what we can achieve together.
– David A Barnard, Pipe Major, September 2026.
The City of Sheffield Pipe Band 