"Scotty" Trotter Musical Achievement Award

With a limited pool of local pipers and drummers to draw from, training new members is necessary for the survival of the NWT Pipe Band.  Many members are trained by the band and, each year since 1994, the band has presented the Scotty Trotter Musical Achievement Award to recognize the hard work and effort band members devote to becoming better musicians.

The Scotty Trotter Award is presented to the band member who has made the most improvement as a musician during the previous year.  The recipient is chosen by the other band members in a secret vote and announced at the annual Burns Night supper.

Winners of the award are:

  • 2009 — Tristan Ogilvie
  • 2008 — Christopher Moore
  • 2007 — Michelle Muise
  • 2006 — Christopher Moore
  • 2005 — Mike Spindor
  • 2004 — Angus Wilson
  • 2003 — Sean Best
  • 2002 — April Taylor
  • 2001 — Bob Cook
  • 2000 — Allan Falconer
  • 1999 — Blair Morphet
  • 1998 — Blair Morphet
  • 1997 — Christopher Fournier
  • 1996 — Chris Spence
  • 1995 — George Poirier
  • 1994 — Denise Poirier, Joseph Poirier
 

In his own words — Graham (Scotty) Trotter remembers the NWT Pipe Band

When I arrived in Yellowknife in February of 1976, I had no thoughts of playing in a pipe band.  In the spring of 1976 I saw a picture of Andy Young in the Yellowknifer marching down the street in full highland dress.  I phoned him and said, "Andy, I played drums with a pipe band in Edmonton.  Why don't we get together and see if we can start a pipe band?"  The rest, as they say, is history.

The Northwest Territorial Pipe Band has always been close to my heart, and I have played in other very good competition bands.  The Northwest Territorial Band has always been a part of me.  When I retired in 1994, I wanted to leave something for the band members — both new and long-standing members.

I put up a trophy and called it the Scotty Trotter Musical Achievement Award, to be presented each Robbie Burns night to the person, voted by the band members, who had improved musically the most that year.  Only the Pipe Major would know who the band had voted for, thus a great surprise for one person in the band in front of 200-plus people at Robbie Burns night.

I am sure [the trophy] has encouraged band members to work hard over the years and I hope it will be going for many years to come.

Best regards,

Play the sweet Music,

Graham (Scotty) Trotter

 

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