On piping with Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums - Year 1

It’s December 2013 and I come to the end of my first year in a pipe band. Last Friday was our band’s last performance of the year, playing for the San Mateo Fire Fighter’s Academy graduation in Atherton. At last count the band performed 22 times in the year culminating with our band’s Scottish Christmas concert at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Saratoga, CA earlier this month!

Mathematically the band played almost every other week. We played in six parades, 3 competitions and a myriad of performances big and small; some with the full band, some with smaller numbers of pipes and drums. We played some in full uniform, others in band shirt and glengary. I played in 16 of the 22 gigs and performed as well as Piper John B for additional weddings, memorials and parties. A tremendously big Thank You goes to my wife and family for encouraging and supporting my musical addiction. I would have to say that I’ve had the best year of piping since taking up the bagpipes! Add in weekly practices with the band and practicing my instrument, I’d have to say that I’ve had almost enough piping for one year.

Playing music, whether wood wind, string, percussion, brass or even bagpipes is a wonderful past time. Playing at one level is the partial mastery (spelled: P R A C T I C E) of a difficult instrument, at another is performing at a level that people enjoy hearing. We practice in hope of improving musically and play to give pleasure to those who come to listen. Some of us also have a competition genetic predisposition that spurs us to perfect our technique. The Stewart Tartan’s competed as a band and improved. Hopefully we will continue to improve in 2014. Some members of the band also competed as soloists. It takes guts to put yourself in front of an adjudicator and be judged on your playing. My hats off to Wes, Dave, Daryl and Melody for doing just that, taking the wins and losses in stride, always striving to become better musicians.

As for me, as delighted as I was in 2013 to be playing weekly with many musically kindred spirits in a wonderful pipes and drums corp., I see work (also spelled P R A C T I C E) ahead in the New Year. Work is also spelled: F U N, as I hope to play in a pattern of continuous improvement in preparation for performing for many friends still be met. There’s certainly new music ahead (starting the year with ‘Mrs. Lilly Christie’, ‘Steam Train to Mallaig’ and ‘Colonel Macleod’ reel, maybe solo competition, certainly more parades, band competitions and performances.

Thank you to all those who listen to our band, and music!

Merry Christmas!

John B

'Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people, for unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ the Lord.'  Luke 2:11