Pipe Major James Cowie

James began piping with the Moorabbin City Pipe Band at age nine shortly after emigrating from Scotland.

Since then, James has built a remarkable piping career.

In 1994 James began competing at the highest level within pipe bands, performing at the World Pipe Band Championships in grade one.

Shortly after, he joined the world renowned Victoria Police Pipe Band.

In 1996, James became a full-time musician with the Western Australia Police Pipe Band where he performed at hundreds of public events including the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

James was promoted to Pipe Major and led the WA Police to a grade two World Pipe Band Championship in 1998 - at just 21.

James remained in the WA Police for a further ten years winning the North American Championships in 2001, kept the band high in the world rankings finishing 10th at the 2004 World Pipe Band Championships and released several recordings.

In 2007, James formed the Perth Metro Pipe Band, which now boasts two highly active competitive bands. The band has recently returned from Glasgow after being crowned World Champions for 2016 in 3B.

James holds the honour of the only Pipe Major / Musical Director to lead a band and achieve two World titles in the whole of the pipe band community of Australasia.

James is an an accredited adjudicator in Australia and holds an Advanced Certificate in piping.

Career Highlights

Pipe Major of Moorabbin City Pipe Band - aged 15, began competing in grade one - aged 17

Performed at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 1997

Professional bagpiper and Pipe Major of the WA Police - 1996 - 2007

Led WA Police to 1998 grade two World Championships (Glasgow)

Led WA Police to 2001 grade one North American Championships (Alma)

Led WA Police to 10th place at the grade one World Championships in 2004 (Glasgow)

Released four popular CD recordings.

Performed with Australia Highlanders grade one from 2005 - 2010

Performed with Shotts and Dykehead (Scotland) grade one - 2010

Performed with WA Police Pipe Band grade one - 2014 Australian Championships placing first

Performed with WA Police Pipe Band - 2016 Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Melbourne

August 2016 - Led Perth Metro Pipe Band to 1st Place in grade 3B at the World Championships 2016 (Glasgow)

Performed with WA Police Pipe Band - 2016 Australian Championships in their Grade One victory in October 2016

Performed with the WA Police Pipe Band - 50th Anniversary Concert in December 2016.

In August 2017 James will be heading to Glasgow to join up with the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band from Canada in their Grade One World Pipe Band Championships campaign.