Dowco Triumph Street adds Hunter, Savage to drum corps. The Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band of Vancouver, BC has added some veteran experience to its drum corps with the additions of Alan Savage and Michael Hunter. Savage was a long-time member of the 78th Fraser Highlanders during the 1980’s and early 1990’s, capturing the World Pipe Band Championships and Sash in 1987 and performing on the famous Live in Ireland recording. He also played with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and later went on to become the lead drummer of the Grade One Toronto Police Pipe Band where he ran the corps from 1997 to 2002.

During this time, Savage helped the band capture numerous drum corps titles in addition to qualifying for the Grade One final at the World Championships on four occasions. Savage has taught drumming throughout North America, has written two books on snare drumming, has performed on several CD’s, was a former instructor at the College of Piping in P.E.I. and is a regular judge in the Ontario pipe band circuit. Hunter, also from Ajax, played for the Polkemmet and Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Bands under Jim Kilpatrick, where he won four sashes for best drum corps in Grade One at the World Pipe Band Championships. Originally from Edingburgh, Scotland, he immigrated to Canada in 1993 and became the lead drummer of the 78th Fraser Highlanders, which he ran from 1997 to 2002. During this time, Hunter helped the band eventually capture numerous drum corps titles and in 1998, Michael’s drum corps won the drumming in the medley circle at the World Pipe Band Championships. Hunter has taught drumming throughout North America; has performed on several CD’s and is also a regular judge on the Ontario pipe band circuit. "The addition of these drummers propels our band to a new level while providing our younger drummers with a unique opportunity to benefit from their considerable experience and musical know-how", said lead drummer Andre Tessier, who added, "I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to play alongside drummers of their calibre, to draw on their experience as lead drummers and most of all, to rekindle our friendships". Hunter, Savage and Tessier last played together in 1995 when all three were members of the 78th Fraser Highlanders. The additions closely follow that of former House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead and L.A. Scots drummer Eli Fugate, who joined the band shortly before the start of the 2010 competition season.