Pipe Major MWO Terry Cleland CD
PM MWO Terry Cleland CD started piping at the age of 8, his instructor was Pipe Major Hugh McWinnie of the 400 Squadron. Terry, a prize winning solo player through all grades and the open contests. He started playing with 400 Squadron Pipe Band in 1967 and went on to join the Air Reserve in 1971.
Terry worked with fellow bandsmen to create a juvenile feeder band and took over the responsibility of the band early in its history. This band would eventually be called the Downsview Band and it would be a highly competitive pipe band in the North American contest circuit. The band had several notable drumming instructors including Colin Miller, Norm Nash and Reid Maxwell. And over the years it produced some notable players in both piping and drumming. Terry gave up control of the Downsview Band with his appointment of Pipe Major of the 400 Squadron Pipe Band in 1978.
Shortly after assuming command, the 400 Squadron Pipe Band returned to the competition circuit and has been competing successfully since. The band has won several Ontario Championships.
MWO Cleland is a qualified PPBSO judge, an Aerobatic pilot and an Indianapolis 500 chief mechanic.
Terry launched the Cleland Drum Company several years ago and developed a new snare drum technology to combat structural and weight issues with the existing products on the market. His new configuration eventually would be called the “floating shell” with tension load isolation. This present configuration has been now adopted by every marching band drum manufacturer world wide.
Drum Major Pte Shannon Brooks
DM Pte Shannon Brooks finished his cadet career holding the rank of Warrant Officer 1st Class as Squadron Warrant Officer. Shannon was a member of 718 Yukon Sqn's brass and reed band as a snare drummer, eventually becoming the lead drummer.
In 1998, Shannon joined the Br 30 RCL Port Hope and District Pipe Band, interested developing his skills as a drummer, and drum majoring. He was soon appointed Drum Major and continued with the band until 2000 where he began also volunteering with the Bowmanville Legion Pipe Band.
After attending college in Toronto, Shannon returned to Port Hope Pipe Band as the Drum Major. Shannon received further training from 400’s former Drum Major, MWO (Ret’d) Larry Fullerton.
In 2005, Shannon was invited by Pipe Major MWO Cleland to join 400 Squadron Pipe Band, and was appointed Drum Major. Shannon served as Drum Major as a Civilian Volunteer, until joining the Air Reserve.
Since then, he has performed the duties of Senior Drum Major at Tattoo Estes, Estes Park Colorado; North Bay Military Tattoos as well as at various Highland Games in Ontario. He also assists in training civilians, cadets and members of the Canadian Forces to be Drum Majors.
Shannon just finished a successful 2009 competition season, winning first place a Oshawa and Fergus Highland games, as well as winning the Champion Supreme title for top overall Drum Major in Ontario.
Shannon is active in promoting the history and traditions of the RCAF and is a founding member of an RCAF living history group based in Oshawa, ON. He is also a martial artist, and trains in Karate, Kempo and Ju-Jitsu.
Band Leadership
Pipe MajorMWO Terry Cleland CD
Drum Sergeant
CWO (Ret'd) Michael Steele CD
Pipe Sergeant
MCpl Michael Cleland CD
Band Admin NCM
Sgt Lawrence Barley CD
Drum Major
Pte Shannon Brooks