About Us

The Midland Pipes and Drums band started in the fall of 1968.  The Loyal Orange Lodge in Midland had a pipe band that was disbanding due to a lack of members.   
Upon the disbanding of the Loyal Orange Lodge Band, former band members John French and Nelson Maheu, high school students at the time, were frequently contacted by Legion representatives to attend events where a piper was needed. 
This prompted John and Nelson to consider forming a new band. John’s aunt contacted Legion representative Dave Bell to see if the Legion would consider purchasing the instruments required to start a Midland Legion Band.  The Legion agreed provided enough people signed up.  
An advertisement placed in the Midland newspaper calling for members received a great response.  As promised the Midland Legion purchased pipes and drums from the Loyal Orange Lodge.  That winter Nelson and John taught the bagpipes and Dave Bell taught the drums.  The band’s first performance was Remembrance Day in 1970.  The Midland Legion Branch 80 Pipes and Drums band was formed. 
For more than 45 years the Midland Pipes and Drums band has played a very active and important role in the Town of Midland and surrounding communities.  The band has represented Midland on many occasions throughout the years including such events as the Orange Bowl Parade in Florida, the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, and the Hawaii Bowl Parade, to name a few. 
Today the band is comprised of approximately 25 members.  Led by Drum Major Kevin Robitaille and Pipe Major Larry Ford , the band continues to demonstrate its commitment to the community by doing what it has done for many years - performing at Legion functions, participating in local parades, and attending numerous community gatherings and special events where all in attendance can enjoy the extraordinary and unique distinctive sound of the Midland Pipes and Drums Band. 
 The band practices most Monday evenings, from 7 pm to 9 pm, upstairs at the Midland Legion, 196 Queen Street in Midland.