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In Canada as well as in International competition there are five different Grades which a band can be entered into. Grades are essentially different skill levels that separate the competiting bands.
The lowest Grade of competition that a particular band can be entered in is Grade 5. In Grade 5 the competition is basically at the entry level. There are no age limits for the Grades but skill level is generally the main consideration.
Grade 4 is considered to be a stage in which new bands and singles competitors can hone their skills amidst moderate levels of competition before moving up into Grade 3 competition.
Grade 3 is the level at which the Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe Band competes in the most often. Grade 3 is a big step up from Grade 4 and is considered to be highly competitive, considering that there are usually between 40 and 50 different bands from all over the world competing in the Grade 3 grouping.
Grade 2 is the next level up from Grade 3 and is known to be extremely competitive. Many bands find that once they reach the Grade 2 level they generally stay in this category for a long time because there is such a huge difference between Grades 1 and 2. Grade 1 is the known as the elite level of competition in which only the best bands from all across the globe are eligible to compete in.
The Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe band travelled to Dunoon,Scotland in 1974 to compete in their first World Pipe Band championships. The band was entered in the Grade 3 section of the competition and finished in the top 10 among a field of other highly skilled bands from all over the world. In addition to competing at the World Championships the Band was also able to compete in a variety of other competitions while in Scotland such as the Cowal games and the Highland Games in Aberdeen.
| Pipers |
Side Drummers | Heather Society Dancers |
| Larry Wilson /Pipe Major | Bob Knodell / Lead Drummer | Gina James |
| Cindy Barry | Wayne Campbell | Linda McAfee |
| Doris Campbell | David Capson | Susan Carter |
| Sandra Hatfield | David Galbraith | Beth Ruseff |
| John Johnston | Bruce Martin | |
| Ruth Ann MacDormand | Dawn Mason | President |
| Gwen MacKay | Robert Shepherd | Marjorie Murray |
| Sharon MacPherson | ||
| Lewis McCavour | Bass Drum | Project Coordinator |
| Jane Shepherd | Steve Worrell | Bob McCavour |
| Jim Shepherd | Bruce MacDormand | |
| Barbara Murray | ||
| Harriet Murray | Drum Major | |
| Patricia Murray | Bob Marr | |
| Tom Yorke |
Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe Band that travelled to Dunoon to compete in the 1974
World Championships
In 1977 the Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe Band made their second trip to the World Pipe Band Championships, this time held in Aberdeen, Scotland. On this occasion the band led by Pipe Major Larry Wilson competed in Grade 3 and finished in 9th place out of a field of 33 other highly talented Pipe Bands from all over the world.
In addition to their 9th place overall finish, the Band's Drum Section also took 2nd place in Grade 3 out of a group of 40 other competitors.
| Pipers | Side Drummers | Tenor Drummers |
| Larry Wilson / Pipe Major | Ernie Rookard / Lead Drummer | Judy Capson |
| Neil DIckie | Bob Knodell | Hyla Galbraith |
| Jim Cormier | David Capson | Kathy McCavour |
| Snadra Hatfield | David Galbraith | Karen McKay |
| John Johnston | George Garret | |
| Shelley MacFarlane | Kim MacFarlane | Bass Drummer |
| Sharon MacPherson | Bruce Martin | Bob Marr |
| Lewis McCavour | ||
| Barbara Murray | President | |
| Harriet Murray | Marjorie Murray | |
| Pat Murray | ||
| John Morrison | Treasurer | |
| Lori Wilson | Bob McCavour |
The Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe Band coming to the line at the
Scone competition in Verth, Scotland in 1977. They ended up finishing in
5th place out of 12 other bands.
In 1983 the Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe Band once again travelled to Scotland to compete in Grade 3 of the Pipe Band World Championships. This time around the World's competition was held in Glasgow and the band ended up finishing 9th out of 36 other competitors and they also came away with the trophy for Marching and Discipline attaining a high score of 97 out of 100.
| Pipers | Side Drummers | Tenor Drummers |
| Larry Wilson / Pipe Major | Bod Knodell / Lead Drummer | Dale Cairns |
| Allan Barry | John Gaudett | Trina Penny |
| Richard Brown | Jeff Lemon | |
| Donald Clark | Kirk Kingston | Bass Drummers |
| Jim Cormier | Paula Marr | Steve Worrell |
| Kent Kean | Bruce Martin | Clyde McCavour |
| Leisa McCavour | Chris McCavour | |
| Mark McNeill | Drum Major | |
| Mike McNeill | Jim Garnett | |
| Shelley MacFarlane | ||
| Sandra Patterson | Band Manager | |
| Bruce Peddle | Bob McCavour | |
| Lori Wilson |
The Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe Band led by Pipe Major Larry
Wilson at the Rothesay Isle of Bute Highland Games in 1983. This day the band
finished in 1st place out of 10 competitors.
In 1991 the Jervis Bay contingent made their fourth trip to Scotland to compete again in the World Championships. This year the Jervis Bay group finished strongly in 11th place out of a large field consisting of 38 other bands.
In addition to competing at the World Championships in Glasgow the band also competed in a number of other piping competitions while in Scotland, including the Dunfermline Festival in which they finished 2nd behind the Grade 2 World Champions the Tayside Police Pipe Band. The Rothesay Pipe Band competition was another event which the Jervis Bay band was entered in and they finished 2nd out of 8 other bands. In addition to competing at all of these events the Band was also able to enjoy the Scottish scenery and to learn a great deal about the history surrounding Scotland and many of its great landscapes.
| Pipers | Side Drummers | Piping Instructor |
| Lori Wilson / Pipe Major | John Gaude / Lead Drummer |
Larry Wilson |
| Kent Kean | Bruce Martin | |
| Dwayne Buck | Chris McCavour | Band Manager |
| Kevan Currie | Scott Robertson | Bob McCavour |
| Jennifer Eastwood | Chris Welch | |
| Jennifer Epton | ||
| Jim Cormier | Bass Drummers | |
| Leisa McCavour | Clyde McCavour | |
| Ethel McGovern | Tom McGrath | |
| Sandra McKenna | ||
| Clint McNeill | Tenor Drummers | |
| Donna Nason | Jennifer Smith | |
| Bruce Peddle | ||
The Jervis Bay (Memorial) Pipe Band in competition at
Dunfermline which is the burial place of Scotland's most famous king, Robert
the Bruce. They finished in 2nd place out of 5
other bands competing that day.
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