Robert Montgomery (12)

From rspba.org: Drum Major Bob Montgomery was renowned throughout the Pipe Band world alongside the great names in Pipe Band drumming. His main claim to fame was as Leading Drummer of the famous Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band (renamed Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band after regionalisation in 1975). Throughout his lengthy involvement with Pipe Bands he was also deeply involved in teaching Pipe Band drumming and he was for many years an RSPBA Drumming and Ensemble Adjudicator who was highly respected for his honesty, integrity and impartiality. Bob had also an impressive record of devotion to the work of the RSPBA. He was involved over many years in the development of the musical education aspects of the Association through the activities of the SPBA College Board and Advisory Committee, including the introduction of the Association's Advanced Certificate in Piping and Drumming. He also worked with the subsequent RSPBA Music Board as an Instructor and Examiner for RSPBA certificate courses. He was also involved in Adjudicator training and was one of the longest serving members of the RSPBA Adjudicators' Panel. Bob Montgomery's first association with Pipe Bands was as a member of the Torpedo Works Pipe Band in Greenock, which he joined as a young lad before becoming associated with the Greenock Police. He subsequently moved to the East of Scotland where he started a long and highly successful career with Edinburgh City Police. During Bob's period as Leading Drummer the Edinburgh City Police Pipe Band he won the Grade I World Championship on four occasions (1963, 1964, 1971 and 1972). His Drum Corps also won all the major titles, including the World title in 1964. Bob was also a regular prize-winner as a solo player and he won the World Solo Drumming Championship on two occasions, in 1962 and 1969. Until his untimely death in March 1997 Bob Montgomery was still actively involved in teaching drumming. Over the years he was particularly committed to teaching young people and many young drummers benefited from his expertise and technique. He taught at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh and Loretto School in Musselburgh; and he had particularly lengthy involvement with the Merchiston Castle and the Craigmount High School Pipe Bands. Many Bands in the East of Scotland and further afield also had the benefit of his expert tuition. Many of his pupils progressed to playing in leading Pipe Bands throughout the world, which illustrates very clearly how he contributed significantly to the development of Pipe Band drumming to the high standards which are now achieved.