On Piping in the Bay Area

The US has a number of large Scottish communities in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Each is unique in how it supports the culture, arts and music of Scotland. Each also has a large number of excellent pipe bands. The communities of our fair bay support bagpiping in a big way. I’d like to share with you why the San Francisco Bay Area is a great place for bagpiping. Here are a few ways that make piping here so wonderful:

Great Bands – Growing up in California’s Central Valley, if there were any pipers, I did not know of them; pipe bands were unheard of. Today, in the Bay Area alone are many fine band; Prince Charles Pipes and Drums, Stewart Tartan Pipes & Drums, Irish Pipers Band of San Francisco, Monterey Pipes and Drums, Piedmont Highlanders, Santa Cruz Pipes & Drums. All are nonprofit organizations that welcome visitors as well as give training to pipers and drummers alike.

Highland Games – Within one to 1.5 hours driving in the Bay Area there are many Scottish Games featuring bagpiping, dancing, etc. Ones either recognized by the Western United States Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA.org) or are just plain fun are: Ardenwood Celtic Festival (April), Sacramento Valley Games (April), Modesto Scottish Highland Games (June), Mt Tamalpais Piping & Drumming Competition (June), Santa Cruz Scottish Festival (June), Monterey Scottish Games (July), Pleasanton Games (Labor Day). Big or small each of these has charm and enough bagpipes to keep most of us satisfied.

Year round instructors & bagpiping Summer Schools – The West coast attracts a number of high quality, amazing energy Summer schools. Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming (Sonoma State Univ. - June) has been part of the Bay Area scene now for several years and features some of the world’s best pipers as instructors. The rest of the year the Bay Area has a number of world class pipers who give instruction from basic chanter work to professional level training.

Scottish Community – Scottish culture has flourished in the San Francisco Bay area for almost 150 years. The oldest society is the Caledonian Club of San Francisco which organizes and puts on the Games in Pleasanton over Labor Day weekend. They and the East Bay Scottish Society and South Bay Scottish Society also sponsor other events during the year. One of the prominent traditions is the Burns Supper celebrating the life of poet Robert Burns who was born January 25, 1759.

Food lovers - The Bay area has attracted Scottish, Irish, Celtic and British cuisine lovers since the Gold Rush when men and women were drawn hear for the wealth that California promised. Like people of all cultures, tastes and smells of the old country have always been desired. There are many Pubs throughout the Bay area worth visiting for a pint and a taste of homemade foods.

Weather – The Bay Area has great bagpiping weather through most of the year. With the exceptions of a few really hot days of summer or the cold blustery days of winter, you can play bagpipes outside almost year round. Last evening for example: In the South Bay (San Jose) the day’s high reached the mid-80’s and yet by 7:30pm I was out practicing in in t-shirt and shorts in temps of low 70’s with a slight breeze. Last April, in preparation for the SF St Patrick’s Day Parade, our band was practicing our marching into the evening in light jackets. You just canna beat the weather here!