Ontario’s first Ismaili pipe band will showcase its community spirit and musical talent at this year’s Warriors’ Day Parade during the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE).
Sikandar Khoja serves as the regional lead for the Southwest Ontario Ismaili Pipe Band (SWOIPB) – a traditional Scottish-style pipe band that blends multicultural music based in Mississauga.
When he came to Canada 25 years ago from Pakistan, he dreamed of playing in a pipe band, but couldn’t find anything like what he had imagined.
“There was nothing like this,” he told CBC Toronto. “Now we are a team of 30-plus members, which includes men and women, youth, elderly … we are all working professionals and we do this voluntarily.”
Members of the band rehearse at a community centre space in Mississauga. Band leaders say they’ve learned new marches and composed an original musical medley specifically for the Warriors’ Day Parade. (Tyler Cheese/CBC)
SWOIPB started in Milton in 2019 with just 11 members. Since then it has expanded to its current size along with a wide-ranging youth initiative covering five regional branches across Southwestern Ontario and the GTA.
This August 22 marks their debut performance at the 105th Warriors’ Day Parade. The parade takes place every year on the opening Saturday of the CNE to honor Canadian military veterans, active service members, and first responders.
“Warriors’ Day Parade is one of the biggest opportunities we are going to have,” Khoja said. “We are all very excited. We have started practicing for it and we have prepared special tunes.”
While classic Scottish and English bagpipe music forms the foundation of their training, SWOIPB also incorporates South Asian melodies into their performances with pipes and drums.
Youth band lead Sadaf Ali mentioned that combining familiar community songs with traditional pipe melodies helps connect different generations and cultural backgrounds.
“Youth band is not only about the music, it’s about the discipline of learning as well,” she told CBC Toronto. “We come together as a community to perform and to learn … we are helping them grow.”
Youth initiative engages more than 300 young musicians
The mentorship program currently involves over 300 young musicians from Niagara Falls to Brampton, according to Khoja.
For 14-year-old Ammaar Jiwan, being part of the youth band is all about making friendships through music.
“What I like about being in band is playing the drums and connecting with friends through multiple different beats and having fun,” he said.
Twelve-year-old Rayyan Ali believes that their music comes down to passion and connection: “You just got to play with your heart,” he said.
The band has previously participated in local parades like those in Brampton and Oakville during Santa Claus events, as well as civic activities such as celebrating King Charles III’s coronation. However, performing at Warriors’ Day Parade is one of their largest gigs yet, so they’ve been putting in extra effort to prepare.
Youth band leaders say rehearsals are about more than just music. The mentorship program teaches youth discipline and how to become leaders of the future. (Tyler Cheese/CBC)
Drum Major Hameed Somani mentioned that they have been practicing twice weekly at their community centre in Mississauga – learning new marches while also creating an original musical medley tailored for this event.
“This is the first time we’re going to be presenting our community in the wider community where we will have almost 89 other bands,” he told CBC Toronto. “We are very proud to be part of that.”
Somani highlighted that participating in this parade holds special meaning as it honors service members through their collaboration with Royal Canadian Legion Branch 527 whose members will march alongside them. p >
“Warriors’ Day is a big day , and we will be marching with our military , army , and of course our veterans ,”he said. “Come join us.. we’re excited to play for everyone.” p >
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