David Hogg has been pipe major with the Kootenay Kiltie Pipe Band since 1989 and was recently announced as Nelson’s Citizen of the Year for 2018. His passion for the bag pipes began at the age of 10 when he started taking lessons and then joined the band a year later. Although he moved away from the Kootenays to attend university and start his career, he moved back and rejoined in 1987. Shortly after, he became pipe major, and has now been leading the group and mentoring others for the past 30 years.
Hogg compares himself to a team coach. Someone who provides “an educational base” for those interested in learning to work on their skills. He says that each member brings individual skills that he then molds into a band.
Disbelief was Hogg’s initial reaction to receiving the phone call that he was the Citizen of the Year.
“I actually thought that he was looking for a piper, usually for a funeral, those are the types of calls that I get and then it became obvious that he didn’t want a piper and he mentioned something about citizen of the year. I have a lot of funny friends, you know, and I thought this is a really good prank…. And after a while it seemed like this wasn’t a prank.”
Hogg describes himself as a just a fellow who likes to play bagpipes with some organizational skill.
But he’s clearly made his mark on the community and the band has brought its music to many different community occasions. That includes the Burns Supper, Remembrance Day ceremonies and most recently to some of the local establishments on Saint Patrick’s Day.
“We’re always interested in the reaction people have. They seem genuinely glad to see us, when we play they seem to genuinely like what they hear and when we stop and leave they’re cheering,” Hogg describes with a laugh.
The band has been around for a century now and Hogg encourages people to visit the exhibit at Touchstones Museum – Kiltie Band 100 Year Anniversary. You’ll not only learn about the band, says Hogg, but see how Nelson has changed during that time.
A 100th anniversary concert is also happening on April 13 at the Capitol Theatre.
Hogg will be recognized at a dinner on April 12 to officially receive the honour as Citizen of the Year. The award is co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Nelson Star.