Agnew-Harrison 2025
SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, April 12th, 2025
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The Agnew-Harrison Drumming Invitational is gearing up for what promises to be a sensational contest, this spring! The day will consist of an amateur contest (Grades 4, 3, 2, & 1) in the afternoon, followed by the professional contest in the evening.
The Agnew-Harrison Drumming Invitational is striving to bring new life and awareness to the amazing drumming talent within the PPBSO and respective associations!
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We hope to see you on Saturday, April 12th, 2025, at the John Weir Foote Armoury in Hamilton.
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Judges
Mike Hunter
Brian McCue
Al Savage
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MC: Craig Stewart
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Competitors​
Professionals
Blair Brown
Cameron McKail
Joe Kiah
Kyle Wardell
MacKenzie Chamberlain
Matt Page
Miles Bennington
Robbie Graham
Sloan Pierce
Amateurs
Aidan Hogan
Alison Lynch
Beandon Nadeau
Cameron MacDonald
Cameron Redford
Chris Brown
Cole Chisolm
Colin Humphrey
Devin Brode
Duncan MacDougal
Elisha Jimenez
Ian MacLeod
Jennifer Madore
Kate Dudek
Lillian Scott
Matthew Fuhrman
Maxim Bossy
Rita DeNobriga
Ryan Seigmiller
Thomas Litherland
Troy Hamstra
Walter Gammeter
Order of Play
Amateurs
1:00pm - Grade 4 - 2/4 March
Room 1
Alison Lynch
Jennifer Madore
Kate Dudek
Maxim Bossy
Ryan Seigmiller
Duncan MacDougal
1:10pm - Grade 3 - 2/4 March
Room 2
Lillian Scott
Chris Brown
Branden Nadeau
Elisha Jimenez
Devin Brode
1:10pm - Grade 2 - M/S/R
Room 3
Thomas Litherland
Cameron Redford
Matthew Fuhrman
Walter Gammeter
2:15pm - Grade 1 - M/S/R
Room 1
Rita DeNobriga
Cameron MacDonald
Troy Hamstra
Ian MacLeod
Aidan Hogan
Colin Humphrey
Cole Chisolm
3:30 Amateur Awards
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4:00 - 6:30 Break
Professionals
6:30 - Session 1 - M/S/R
Kyle Wardell
Piper: Alec Rogers
Kyle Wardell, from Hamilton, Ontario, began his drumming journey at the age of 8. In 2003, Kyle became a member of the Braemar Pipe Band Grade 5 band under the instruction of Sandy McKail and the late Jimmy Agnew. In 2007, Kyle joined Hamilton Police's Grade 4 Pipe Band, which later ascended to Grade 3. In 2011, Kyle joined the 78th Fraser Highlanders under the mentorship of Drew Duthart, a role he continues to fulfill today. Kyle’s most notable achievements include winning the 2018 North American Professional Hornpipe Jig contest, performing in Winterstorm’s 2018 and 2025 Gold Medal Finals, and his two-time Champion Supreme Professional Snare accolade. Currently, Kyle teaches several solo students and is the instructor at the Hamilton Legion 163.
Mackenzie Camberlain
Piper: Iain Dewar
MacKenzie Chamberlain has been playing the snare drum since the age of 10. He is originally from Sarnia, Ontario and currently resides in Toronto.
MacKenzie has competed at a variety of levels across Ontario including competing with the Penetangore Pipe Band, from Kincardine, and the 78th Fraser Highlanders, from just outside Toronto.
Throughout his undergraduate degree he decided to focus on leading and instructing the Ryan Russell Memorial Pipe Band, a juvenile band that’s part of the Toronto Police Pipe Band family. As part of his University Degree, he studied abroad in Scotland and competed with the Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band.
Since moving back to Ontario he has played in the St. Andrew’s College Pipe Band and currently leads the Grade 2 Toronto Police Pipe Band drum core.
Along the way, MacKenzie has had the privilege of receiving instruction and support from the likes of Hugh Cameron, Doug Stronach, Drew Duthart, and Andrew Lawson.
Blair Brown
Piper: Sean McKeown
Blair Brown began drumming in 1992 under the instruction of Doug Stronach. He has been a member of some of the world's most decorated pipe bands, including: Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia, Simon Fraser University, and the 78th Fraser Highlanders. During his time in Shotts, the band won three World Pipe Band Championships, and four World Drum Corps Championships. Blair was a member of the SFU corps that won “The Sash” (World Drum Corps Title) at the 2023 Worlds. Blair is one of the top solo drummers in the world. He is a consistent prize winner at the World Solo Drumming Championships and has won the Gold Medal at the prestigious Winter Storm event in Kansas City a record six times. A sought after educator, Blair regularly conducts workshops and teaches at piping and drumming schools worldwide. He is a certified judge with the PPBSO and BCPA. He is currently based in Vancouver, BC.
Matt Page
Piper: Conor Cooper
Matthew Page Matthew Page is a percussionist from Hamilton, Ontario. His interest in pipe band snare drumming began at the age of eleven, when he started taking lessons with the Grade 5 Dundas Pipes & Drums, just down Main St. West in Dundas, Ontario. His instructors there influenced him to join the Pipes and Drums of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) as a civilian musician, where he continued to hone his skills under the guidance of Kent Wilson. In 2012, Matthew made the jump from Grade 5 to Grade 3, joining the Paris/Port Dover Pipe Band. After several years with Paris Grade 3, learning from instructors such as Hugh Cameron, Doug Stronach and Graham Brown, he moved to the Grade 1 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band where he continues to play today under the leadership of Drew Duthart. Matthew is a regular competitor in the North American solo circuit and has competed in the Professional grade since 2020. This is Matthew’s first time competing at the Agnew-Harrison Invitational. Outside of pipe band snare drumming, Matthew is also an accomplished kit percussionist. He is an avid fisherman and golfer and works as a licensed electrician.
Miles Bennington
Piper: Sean McKeown
Miles Bennington is a professional snare drummer, educator, and EUSPBA "A" Drumming Adjudicator from Pittsburgh, PA. His early instruction came from J. Reid Maxwell, and he has since performed with numerous top-tier pipe bands across the United States and Canada, including the Great Lakes, Toronto Police, St. Thomas Alumni, and Ulster Scottish Pipe Bands. As a soloist, he has competed extensively throughout North America, culminating in a semi-finalist qualification at the World Solo Drumming Championship in Glasgow. A sought-after instructor, Miles has led several drum corps in the northeast and midwest United States to prize-winning success. He also serves as the principal drumming instructor for the Carnegie Mellon University Pipe Band, where his leadership has quickly established the program as a leading force in the eastern United States
Robbie Graham
Piper: Ian K MacDonald
At 25 years old, Robert B. Graham Jr.'s drumming journey commenced in 2006. Joining NWJPB in 2007, he embarked on his first Worlds trip in 2011. Despite a brief hiatus in 2013, high school, and sports, his drumming resumed in 2015 upon rejoining NWJPB for his second Worlds contest. A member of Robert Malcolm Memorial in 2017, he marked his third Worlds contest and ascended to SFU in 2018, later achieving open snare drumming promotion in 2019. Notable accolades include a bronze at the 2022 British Drumming Championship and a position as a World Solo Drumming Finalist. The peak of solo achievements arrived in 2023 with a gold medal in open snare drumming at the North American Solo Drumming Championships Winterstorm. While adorned with the sash in both 2022 and 2023, and performing the Worlds Concert in 2023 with SFU, Robert has chosen a new chapter, stepping away from the band to focus on a Firefighting/EMT role with the Granite Falls Fire Department and continuing to teach 5 local bands, marking a harmonious blend of drumming achievements and a commitment to community service.
Cameron McKail
Piper: Mike Allegretti
From Hamilton, Ontario, Cameron McKail is an accomplished lead drummer with the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band and a new police officer with Peel Regional Police. Drumming has been a lifelong passion, first introduced to him at the age of three by his father, Sandy McKail. His deep-rooted connection to music has shaped his journey, allowing him to learn from some of the most respected names in the drumming world.
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Cameron’s experience has been enriched under the mentorship of world-class lead drummers, including his father, Sandy McKail, as well as Drew Duthart, Graham Kirkwood, Harvey Dawson, and most recently, Gordon Brown.
Over the years, Cameron has competed on both national and international stages, continually pushing the boundaries of his craft. His leadership in Peel Regional Police’s drum corps reflects his dedication to mentorship and elevating the standard of pipe band drumming, working alongside Steve Hill and his father. Now, as both a musician and a police officer, Cameron takes pride in representing his organization both in and out of uniform. Competing at The Harrison presents another exciting opportunity to showcase his skills among some of the best in the drumming community.
Sloan Pierce
Pipers: Alec Rogers (MSR), Terry Flick Hp/J
From Calgary, Alberta, Sloan Pierce began his drumming journey at age 10 in the cadet program. After initially starting with brass and reed snare drumming, he later moved on to pipe band drumming with Clan Maxwell Pipe Band at 14. Sloan joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2012 at age 18 as a drummer with the Regimental Pipes and Drums of the Calgary Highlanders and currently serves as a Pipe Band Drumming Instructor at the Canadian Forces Music Training Centre in Borden, ON. Throughout his musical career, Sloan has competed with several competitive bands, including Viscount Park Pipe Band (Grade 2), the Ottawa Highlanders (Grade 3), and North Stratton Pipe Band (Grade 2). He is presently a member of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band (Grade 1). As a soloist, Sloan has competed in Grade 1 competitions in Alberta, Ontario, and at Winter Storm in Kansas City, MO. Notable highlights include winning the PPBSO - Toronto Branch KO's A Division 2023, PPBSO - Ottawa Branch KO's A Division 2023, and the North American Amateur Snare Drum Championship - Grade 1 in 2023.
Joe Kiah
Piper: Ian K MacDonald
Following in his father’s foot-steps, Joe Kiah began learning snare when he was six years old and was fortunate to be a pupil of Gary Allan in Brockville. Joe has played as a corps drummer in several bands over his 50 plus year in pipe bands. Most recently Joe played with the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Bands where he was the leading drummer.
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Joe has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 38 years and recently retired at the rank of Warrant Officer. Joe served 15 years in the infantry with The Royal Canadian Regiment and the remainder of his career as a pipe band drum instructor.
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Today, Joe is excited to join the ranks of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band. in addition, Joe is enjoying his retirement and relaxing with his grandkids and working on his art and making sawdust.
Joe is married to Melinda (Brewin) and has five children and eight grandchildren.
8:15 - Session 2 - H/J
Order of play same as session 1
Tickets for the 2025 Agnew Harrison can be purchased below. After submitting the form we will send an email to the contact email address provided that can be used to check in. You can also check in by name if you don't have the email handy.
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If you buy multiple tickets please check in as a group, or forward the confirmation email to the individuals that will check in independently. We will use it verify proof of purchase.
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20$ Music Ticket - Gives full day access to the musical contests with amateur contests starting at 1:00pm and professional contests starting at 6:30pm
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Online sales close at noon on Wednesday April 9th
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Tickets can be bought for $25 at the door on the day