Concert for the Padre

The “Concert for the Padre” featuring excellent performances by The BC Regiment Irish Pipes & Drums (“Pipes & Drums”) and the 15th Field Artillery Band (“15th Field”), was a well-attended and most enjoyable event held in the early evening of Saturday, 17 February 2024 at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver.

The program for the evening included the following pieces played by the Pipes & Drums:

• 4/4 March In

• Irish Polkas

• Drum Salute into Hornpipe/Jig

• Irish Reels

• 6/8 Marches

• Man of the West

The sets of the Pipes & Drums were followed by the following pieces played by 15th Field:

• Strike Up the Band

• Candide Overture

• God of Our Fathers

• Amazing Grace

• Memories of Henry Mancini

• Selections from Riverdance

The program for the evening was concluded by a Joint Set featuring “Highland Cathedral”, “Sands of Kuwait” and “Killaloe”. The Postlude included “St Paddy” and “Garryowen”.

A reception was held in the Parish Hall where numerous members of the Regimental Family gathered with friends, family and supporters.

Congratulations and thank you to the Padre, The Very Reverend Christopher Pappas, Rector and Dean, Diocese of New Westminster for a most enjoyable evening to remember and for his support of our Soldiers. The net proceeds of the Concert will go “to support the Dean’s pastoral work with the men and women of the military”.

Members of the Regimental Family were acknowledged by the Padre during the course of the evening, namely: Honorary Colonel Farid Rohani, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel and Band Governor Bill Diamond, President of the Regimental Association, Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Jim Barrett, President of the Regimental Museum, Bill Whalen, and the Regimental Secretary, former Honorary Colonel Ted Hawthorne. The Commanding Officer of the Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Virk, thanked the Padre for his support of our “Citizen Soldiers” in a very eloquent address to the assembled group.

Also in attendance were our good friends and colleagues from 15th Field Artillery, RCA, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Don Foster and former Honorary Colonel Retired Judge, Bill Rodgers.

Up the Dukes!