REGINA — Every Tuesday night, the sounds of pipes and drums can be heard inside the Regina Police Services’ (RPS) headquarters.
Members of the Regina Police Pipes and Drums practice for their next event, from a community celebration to honouring those who’ve sacrificed their lives.
“Music is good for the soul; it just helps you feel better. We have a gift, we're practicing constantly to improve our skills and pass on that music and that passion,” said Matt Bryson, piper in the band.
Kristie Lipinski, the band’s pipe major, said she has a personal connection to veterans, having played for the City of Regina Pipe Band while her mother worked for the local legion.
"Most of those people were extra grandparents for me. So being able to play for them anytime was a treat, and then once they started passing, being told they had passed and asked if they could, I could play at their funeral, it was really nice to be able to do that as well."
Band members always face the challenge of keeping their emotions in check during such events.
“It's hard not to be empathetic and want to go and support them. Even if you don't know them, you almost feel like you want to go and give them a hug. But you just have to focus on your task,” said Lipinski.
Before performing, Bryson said practicing often can help reduce stress or worries.
“When we've put in the work beforehand, when we've practiced, when we've begun to internalize things, make the muscle memory make us think less and feel and listen more, we're actually managing our anxiety better than we have in a long time as a core, as an entire group.”
The fulfilling part for band members is having recognition from front-line officers after their performance.
“They always come up afterwards and thank us profusely and appreciate what we've done to bring some light into that day for them,” said Lipinski.
Continuing its history
Regina’s Police Pipes and Drums was formed in 1985 to promote public relations between the RPS and the public.
Lipinski explained the current band is often involved with the community.
“We've done volunteering at the food bank, and we go to Regina's Queen City Pride Festival every year and try to hand out stickers or tattoos to the kids and make everybody smile.”
One notable difference over the band’s 41 years is its members. The band had been formed solely by front-line officers, but now consists solely of civilians.
The band has 11 current active members, with several others either inactive or injured.
One goal the band has is teaching the next generation pipes and drums through their own personal experience.
Lipinski herself is planning a world stage trip to Ottawa this summer and Scotland in 2027 to grow as a musician.
“By doing this and working with Wes Shepherd (a bagpipe player from Manitoba), he's going to make it a lot easier and give me more knowledge on being a pipe major. And I can bring it back to the band, all of the information he's giving me, which we've already started. And the little tricks and tips that he gives us definitely go a long way to make us perform better.”
Lipinski’s trip is dependent on money raised for her travel expenses.
The band is encouraging anyone interested to join, as members are willing to teach.
