The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) ‘H’ Division Pipes and Drums was formed in May 2004. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it is one of eight RCMP volunteer pipe bands located in communities across Canada. The other seven pipe bands are based in Moncton, New Brunswick; Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Regina, Saskatchewan; Edmonton, Alberta; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

The band is comprised of volunteers from throughout Nova Scotia who come together to share and showcase their musical talent and help bring the community closer to its national police. These volunteers come from many different backgrounds, including serving or retired members of the RCMP, serving military personnel, teachers, medical and business professionals, and public servants, to name but a few.

All members take time from their chosen careers and families to volunteer their time to represent the RCMP in their communities. The band has adopted the motto “Benefiting the Community through Music and Dance”.

The band has a wealth of talent and experience in its ranks, with most members having previously played in competitive bands. While performance rather than competition is the band’s focus, the band still seeks to produce a high-quality presentation in both look and sound.

The band is primarily self-supporting and raises funds by taking part in a wide range of activities including parades, concerts, community events, and RCMP ceremonial functions. In addition, it has recorded two CDs since its formation.

The band has travelled extensively, performing throughout Eastern Canada (Newfoundland to Manitoba) and as far away as Bermuda, France, and Belgium. Individual members of the band have been selected to take part in the Royal Windsor Tattoo in 2009, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee events in London in 2012, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2015, Belfast International Tattoo in 2018, Shanghai Music Festival 2018, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2019, and Basel Tattoo in Switzerland in 2022.

The band proudly wears the RCMP tartan kilt and world famous red serge tunic as its dress uniform. The tartan was designed in 1997 with colours derived from the RCMP uniform. The tartan was officially presented to the RCMP by HRH Princess Anne at a ceremony held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1998. The civilian volunteers in the band are privileged and honoured to be permitted to wear the iconic red serge tunic of the RCMP.

The band is under the direction of P/M Brian Morrison, CD, D/M Angela Corscadden, D/M Chris D’Arcy and D/Sgt Brian Duncan.