by Marianne Meadahl

They’ve spent more than 30 years adding pomp to SFU’s convocation ceremonies.

Now the brothers who’ve led the six-time world champion SFU Pipe Band to international acclaim will experience convocation from another perspective—as honorees.

Pipe Sergeant Jack Lee and Pipe Major Terry Lee will don caps and gowns and join in the convocation procession as honorary degree recipients at the June 13 afternoon ceremony. And just like the five other distinguished individuals being recognized this spring, they’ll be led into Convocation Mall by fellow band members.

“Receiving an honorary degree from Simon Fraser University is a terrific honour,” says Jack Lee. “Terry and I have been deeply involved in bagpipe education at SFU for over 30 years. We have helped to spread the excellent name and reputation of Simon Fraser University throughout the bagpipe world. We love what we do and never anticipated receiving such a great honour for something we enjoy so much.” 

The Lees are world-renowned musicians who grew up piping and highland dancing and went on to formally establish the SFU Pipe Band in 1981. Eventually they began travelling to Scotland to compete at the annual World Pipe Band Championships, and over the years have claimed a spot in the top three 20 times.

And it has been a family affair in more ways than one.

Jack Lee, a former accountant turned full-time piping instructor, has three sons, John, Colin and Andrew, who all pipe in the elite Grade 1 band, along with cousin Alistair, Terry’s son. Terry’s daughter is a world champion highland dancer.

Along the way the brothers molded new, young talent by forming SFU’s junior band system, known as the Robert Malcolm Memorial band, which celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year.

The juniors have also played on the world stage, last year bringing home yet another world championship trophy.

The Lee families also have their share of personal accolades. Jack has won a string of the world’s top solo prizes and both Lees’ sons are making names for themselves on the world stages.

Meanwhile their teaching expertise is sought globally, including annual field schools in New Zealand and throughout the eastern U.S.

“Wherever we go,” says Jack Lee, “people recognize SFU, and thanks to the good fortune we’ve had over the years, they’ve come to equate SFU with a successful pipe band. It’s a name we wear with pride.”

Adds Terry: “ I'd like to think that the legacy of the pipe band is the sustaining of musical excellence—both in the senior band but, in addition, among our youth band.

“There have now been many hundreds of kids come through our system and to see them grow as people and musicians is fantastic. With Jack and I, cumulatively having four sons come through it all the way to the SFUPB we feel like our future is bright.”

The two are expected to perform at the ceremony.