Cape Breton University Pipe Band
The Cape Breton University Pipe Band is a competition and performance band that exists under the umbrella of the Island Pipes and Drums Association.  The band has grown out of a teaching program initiated in 2014 with sponsorship by the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, aimed at teaching youth across Nova Scotia for free.  Our association now features a performing band of over 20 members, a developmental band, and registration of over 40 youth and adult individuals in our teaching program.  We are proud that almost all of our musicians have been taught locally in our Association.


Our mandate is to teach and promote piping and drumming, develop strong connections to highland culture, and foster an enthusiasm for life-long learning in youth in Cape Breton through:
  • Ongoing development of well-rounded local musicians (both adult and youth) through instruction in bagpiping and drumming
  • Increasing piping and drumming presence in the community through attendance at parades, concerts, and highland games

Highland Fèis

Join us for the first annual Highland Fèis presented by the CBU Pipe Band on May 31 - June 2, 2019.  Registration includes entrance into Friday and Saturday night entertainment, access to four workshops of your choosing on Saturday, and the Key Note Speaker presentation Sunday morning.

Registration does not include accommodations and food, however both are available onsite through the Gaelic College.  Contact the Gaelic College directly for more details.

For more details about the Highland Fèis visit the page on our website linked at the top or visit @highlandfeis

Hire The Band

The CBU Pipe Band is active in the community and is available for hire.  Please contact the band if you are interested in hiring the band or individual musicians.  Some of our performance experiences include:
  • the 2018 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo  
  • a Celtic Colours concert, “Ceilidh at the Big Fiddle”; a recording of this is featured on the 2018 Celtic Colours live compilation CD
  • a Christmas concert production which has been staged at the CBU Boardmore Playhouse for the past 3 years;
  • participation in several parades and festivals throughout the year
  • competitions in the Grade 5 category at highland games in Moncton, Antigonish and Fredericton.

2019 Upcoming Events

May 31- June 2 - Highland Fèis
June 4th - Concert at the Port of Sydney
​June 22/23 - North Sydney Tattoo
​July 1 - Pugwash Highland Games
July 13/14 - Antigonish Highland Games
July 27/28 - New Brunswick Highland Games
August 2/3 - Glengarry Highland Games (Maxville, Ontario)
August 11 - Margaree Highland Games