Piping for St. Patrick's Day 2014

The Irish came up with a great PR idea in having a day to honor St Patrick. The parades with all manner of participant, bagpipe bands, the green beer, corned beef and cabbage, Irish step dancers, accordion music, Irish flags and parties honoring St Pat galore. Who would have thought that the celebration today is honoring the day a 5th century Christian died, March 17. Patrick desired most of all to reach the pagans of Ireland with the Bible and the truth of Jesus’ love, making disciples of all men.

Patrick was a 5th-century Roman-British Christian missionary and bishop to Ireland. Patrick is probably the best known of Christian missionaries of the island country. History records that at the age of 16, Patrick was taken from his home in Great Britain to live as a slave in Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After becoming a cleric studying in France, he returned to northern and western Ireland. In later life, he served as an ordained bishop, but little is known about the places where he worked. He reached out to the people of Ireland using examples from Irish heritage to explain the Gospel: the shamrock to show the triune God, etc.

The Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums celebrated along with the best ‘em by marching in the San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We had most of our pipers, drummers, color guard and banner carriers out in full regalia, marching in full uniform with full plaid and ostrich feathered bonnets. We were honored with Maribeth Allen joining us for her last gig on bass drum. Playing our standard parade sets, we honored all things Irish with ‘Wearing of the Green’ and ‘Minstrel Boy’ standards along with three other parade sets. We also had Scottish Dancers to march and dance with us. In front of the reviewing stand the band provided ‘extra’ pageantry by marching into formation to play ‘Orange and Blue’ for the dancers. Suffice it to say (and modestly I might add) our band took first place in the parade!

After the parade most of the band hung out together playing at a couple of pubs near the Civic Center. We all enjoyed the playing, as did the patrons, but there wasn’t enough space for us to hang out and have a cold one. Outside our second pub, a mom asked if we might play for her son who loves bagpipe music. Not missing a beat, I started to play, some drummers joined in and I went down on one knee to play for the lad at his eye level. Maybe a third of the band headed out to find a pub and the group I was with headed back to where the cars were parked and ended up being welcomed at The Chieftain Irish Pub, playing everything in our repertoire, plus some. The owner welcomed us like long lost friends, offering food and drink as we played for the appreciative crowd. We hope to return next year, but with even more music. As mentioned earlier, our band had split, so when some of us were leaving, the rest of the band showed up and played for another hour for the revelers. A good time was had by all. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

On bagpiping tryouts

When playing the bagpipes there is a certain self-imposed pressure in performing well. OK, we do play a very loud instrument and one that ‘speaks’ to many listeners. Yet nothing, for me, holds more pressure than playing for fellow bagpipers in tryouts for a competition band.

Our band has decided that this year, the pipe major, pipe sergeant and pipe corporal will review all pipers who wish to be part of (dare I say the word: tryout for) the competition band. It’s a fascinating idea that challenges each of us. The idea that we must meet a level of playing, meet the criteria of performance, be judged worthy to or not to join the group gives us all pause. And yet, I applaud the idea of setting high standards for play; expecting better performances from each member of our team.

Our band has an overarching principle of inclusion of all who play the highland bagpipes (or drums). If you want to learn the pipes (or drums) we’ll teach you. The only requirement is a dedication to learning, and then performing together at some level. Our band promotes a family environment where we support one another, and demonstrate that with experience pipers coming along side less experience; dedicated pipers encouraging more casual pipers, in an air of caring and support. As musicians you can see that there are several strata of players.

As a Western United State Pipe Band Association (WUSPBA, pronounced: woos-puh-buh said quickly) grade 5 band and nonprofit organization we are all here to learn, continually improve and share our music through performance. The levels of playing ability are observably three tiers and are all marked by a love of our instrument. The top tier is the talented, experienced pipers whose dedication and by their performance and playing abilities leads us. The second tier (here is where I live) is the players who are dedicated, play well in public performance, but continually work to improve (just like tier one) our playing by practicing a lot, etc. In some respects our group has a lot of fun, loves performing and are the heart of the band. The third tier is also part of the heart of the band. They are less fanatical than either tier one or two, but still with a love of the instrument and love playing and performing. Together we make up the band.

This brings me back to tryouts. We are to make an mp3 recording of our quick march medley (QMM) and submit it for review to the pipe major. Challenge …accepted. Making the mp3 is the first hurdle to overcome. Just listen to your family video singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and smile. Now consciously record yourself singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and think about sending it to America’s Got Talent. Each gets a different level of self-scrutiny as you make it. So it is in my preparing to submit a recording of my playing for review.

I remind myself that I am not defined by comparing myself to others, nor am I defined by the outcome of the tryout. To be part of the competition band is an honor. If my fellow players, or I, make the team, excellent! If others (or I) don’t, I’ll be cheering for my mates in the competition band, and it’s back to practice. Which if I think of it (practice) should happen anyway, no matter the outcome. Happy piping!

On genius in piping

Albert Einstein once said: “Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work.”

As I start the New Year, I have been thinking of Einstein’s quote as it applies to playing and performing. Every piper looks at friends who play their instruments ‘better’, performers who excel in giving ‘enviable’ renditions of music, and listen to ‘amazing’ recordings of professionals. It’s easy to sigh, compare ourselves to them and wish, “If only I could sound that good.” There are those rare individuals who have a natural talent, whose brains are wired for bagpipe music, whose fingers just seem to naturally fly without a squeak or squawk when they play. I say, may God bless those with such capabilities, for they inspire the rest of us mere mortals.

We have a choice. Choose to work harder, work smarter and perfect our musicianship, or remain at the level we are. We may never attain ‘their’ level of playing, but no one can stop us from improving and progressing in our own abilities. One of the Winter Olympics snowboarders remarked that she approaches life fully engaged in her sport, and what she said rings true with me, to “Live life without regret.” I’ll apply that to piping as well embracing doing the best with the time and talents God have given me to bless others.

This year I choose to do the work, choose to practice and choose to perfect technique and musicianship. I’ve questioned friends and acquaintances as to how long they practice; how hard they practice. Their responses range from 20 minutes per day (most days) to every waking moment when they are not in school or working. The key takeaway: practice (a lot). Some each day is better than nothing. I keep my practice chanter in the front seat of my car, along with music. I work on tunes, 8 bars at a time, one stop light at a time on commute to and from work; to and from the store or school. I also work on my chanter perfecting tunes 20 minutes at a time at lunch, or spend 20 minutes playing the pipes. My goal is always the same: use the time wisely to play the music correctly, then practice to memorize a tune, or perfect a tune’s musicality and finally transition tunes to the pipes.

I’m taking a thirty day challenge. Choose an area in need of help… maybe D-throws. Start every practice with playing D-Throws up and down the scale. Clearly hear the low D. Don’t rush, but play every combination up the scale then down, then do your best to randomly play D-throws. You get the picture. Pick what you need to work on (taorluath, grips, birl, tachums, etc.) and in thirty days see how you’ve improved as you play. Then repeat another thirty days, reinforcing that D-throw, but adding another movement. I will be working on perfecting band tunes, especially competition tune sets, perfecting the parade set and playing and perfecting my WUSPBA grade 3 competitions MSR, as well keeping up on repertoire for piping at other events.

So if Einstein had been a piper (he did play the violin competently, so historians tell us) he probably would have written a similar equation to his quote above for practice: practice daily, rain or shine, don’t do the same thing expecting different results, practice technique until you are playing correctly then work on speed and memorization, and, play for the love of the instrument you’ve chosen. …and never give up.

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

On piping for a wedding in Yosemite National Park

I’ve written before that two of the greatest honors a piper may be blessed with are first, in  playing for a memorial service bringing comfort and in honoring someone who has passed from this life, and second, to play at a wedding ceremony where the lives and hearts of a couple come together in marriage. The bagpipes lend themselves to celebration in either circumstance.

Just before Thanksgiving this year I was asked to travel from our home in Silicon Valley to Yosemite National Park to provide music for a couple getting married next to the Merced River on the Valley floor. I was excited just to be going to Yosemite in the Fall with my young wife, let alone being honored with piping for a very much in love young couple. The groom described the affair as incorporating one of their favorite places, Yosemite, with Scottish touches of kilts and plaid, wrapped in and surrounded by family to witness their bond of love.  

Yosemite in autumn is a magical place with crisp air, trees dropping leaves of orange, yellow and red, the Merced River reflecting the beauty of the mountains backdrop. The fall also sees fewer visitors to the park, so trails and roads are less travelled and the park in general has a slower pace. You can visit the historic Ahwahnee Hotel and sit by the enormous public fireplace, hike across a valley meadow of golden grasses or sit on a rock and take in views that really have barely changed in 150 years. You may experience a frost in the morning so be prepared for cold nights and chilly mornings. In a word: majestic!

The Sunday of the wedding dawned bright, cool and amazingly clear. My wife and I enjoyed coffee and a snack in front of a fireplace near the Visitor’s Center. Then it was off to change into kilt, warm up the bagpipes then meet at the Swinging Bridge. Years ago, it actually did swing, but today is as stout of a structure as you can find, able to support multitude of tourists and one bagpiper. We arrived at the bridge, by arrangement, before the couple, met both sides of the family then struck up playing 11:45am expecting to play for fifteen minutes. As I played, I marched across the bridge within sight of the granite wall of Yosemite Falls. The bridal party arrived, the bride beautiful in her white gown, shoulders covered with the red plaid of her family; the groom in a kilt of green family tartan. I met them on the far side of the bridge and piped them slowly across to the ceremony to Highland Cathedral, with the couple stopping to greet family and friends. The ceremony began on the banks of the Merced with the Sun giving its mid-day warmth to everyone. Once the ceremony concluded, I played from center span of the bridge while the family and newlyweds received congratulations, talked, hugged and took pictures. One touching symbol of their new unity was the bride removing her plaid and replacing it with the groom’s plaid about her shoulders. It was a beautiful meaningful moment; simple and sweet.

We then drove to Curry Village for the reception held for the newlyweds. I played tunes outside to lead and draw wedding guests to the reception room. Once everyone had arrived, I concluded with one last tune. We were then off to drive home to the Bay Area. It had been a beautiful day of celebration and memories; one that no one in attendance will soon forget.

On piping for John F. Kennedy, 1963

As a nine year old boy growing up in the Central Valley of California, the news of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the US, probably went somewhat over my head. Schools closed, my parents were shocked by the news, there was live TV coverage of the formal state funeral and then life went back to normal for me with my parent’s celebrating their November anniversary and then on to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Fifty years later events still hold an impact on me and my generation. As a history buff and bagpiper, when I heard that there had been bagpipes included at the funeral of a president, I went looking for more details. On the order of magnitude of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City, nearly everyone from my generation has a story to tell and remembers where they were when the events of November 1963 happened.

On November 13, 1963, a week prior to the Kennedy assassination, the military band, including pipes and drums of the Black Watch Regiment of Scotland made a visit to the lawn of the White House at the request of President Kennedy. As the band played at the charity event, reports would write that this day with President Kennedy and his family was the last happy time they would spend together. Bruce Cowie, who was just 24 at the time (now 74) and one of the Black Watch pipers that day, spoke with BBC News that he remembered that it was "good fun" but he says: "We all did our traditional moaning because it (the day they played at the White House) was our day off." Later he would reflect on the historical significance the band playing would later have. Much of their appearance has been captured on video linked below.

JFK Presidential Library: Nov. 13, 1963 Back Watch Pipers at White House

On November 22, 1963, nine days after their performance, JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Within days, the arrangements for Kennedy’s state funeral were in play. One historical note was that Mrs. Jackie Kennedy sent a note to the Back Watch band, then touring in Kentucky, asking if pipers would come and provide some of the music for the funeral procession. The band would send nine pipers.

According to the Kennedy Presidential Library web site: http://www.jfklibrary.org on the day of the funeral, November 25, 1963, nine pipers of the Black Watch of the Royal Highlanders Regiment marched during the procession from the Capitol, but only played from the White House to St. Matthew’s Cathedral. Their musical selections played were "The Brown Haired Maiden," "The Badge of Scotland," "The 51st Highland Division,” and "The Barren Rocks of Aden." The nine pipers had originally prepared what might have been expected in Scotland for such a somber day: standard laments ‘Flowers o' the Forest’ and ‘Land o' the Leal’. When they found out that the marching pace of the procession would be faster, the band chose the parade pieces. Major Ronnie Proctor, Black Watch Association secretary, said: “It is a great honour that a foreign country’s (the U.K.) pipers and servicemen are allowed to take part in an overseas head of state’s funeral. It’s pretty unique.”

As part of President Kennedy’s graveside service that same day, the US Air Force Pipe Band played ‘Mist Covered Mountains’ while the military honor guard carried the president’s casket from the military caisson to Kennedy’s final resting location at Arlington National Cemetery, where the eternal flame was eventually lit by Mrs. Kennedy thus completing the service.

Thanks to a heritage of highland bagpiping in the US and UK that touches lives wherever the pipes are played, whether in joyful fun or in sorrowful loss.

References:

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/Ready-Reference/JFK-Fast-Facts/Funeral-Music.aspx

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/angus-the-mearns/black-watch-piper-will-honour-jfk-50-years-on-1.155945

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/angus-the-mearns/an-amazing-experience-forfar-man-remembers-the-day-he-met-jfk-1.157561

On fighting the good fight

November 2, 2013 saw the passing of a brave young woman, Catherine Young, from this life, losing the battle to the nemesis of cancer. I had the honor and privilege and chance to enjoy a short friendship with her.

In December, 2012, my family and I attended the Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums Christmas Concert at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Saratoga, CA. There, we enjoyed the music, bagpipes, drums, Scottish fiddlers, Scottish dancing and singing. Leading the program was an impressive young woman and leader, obviously in charge, with all eyes on her musical direction. Catherine was the Pipe Major for the band. I felt drawn during the concert to approach Catherine afterward at the reception to talk about joining the band as a piper. Approaching her took some time, as many people, friends, family and acquaintances all wanting to speak with her, socialize and congratulate her on the band’s (and her) performance.

Not quite knowing how to open the conversation and feeling a little awkward, I was able to finally have a moment of her attention congratulating her on the band’s performance. Her gracious response put me at immediate ease as she asked key questions as to capabilities, years of playing experience, why I might be interested in playing with the Stewarts, etc. She then gave me an encouraging word to send her an email and she’d have my email added to the band’s New Year’s 1st meeting notice for members. After thanking her, she turned to the next admirer and I was ready to go home and start practicing so I wouldn’t look / sound the total dweeb when I showed up at the band’s first practice.  

Catherine started her piping career with the Piedmont High School Kiltie Band.  She was the Pipe Major for the Piedmont Kilties for two years.  She played briefly with the Black Ravens Pipe Band and more recently was Pipe Sergeant of the Monterey Bay Pipes & Drums. Later she founded and was Musical Director of The Piping Circle, a local group of pipers playing informally for a host of gigs. In 2011 she assumed the role of Pipe Major for the Stewart Tartan Pipes & Drums.  Her enthusiastic leadership guided the Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums to go from a local parade band, improving our level of music, in order to re-enter the Western United States Pipe Band Association’s pipe band competition arena. With a B.A. in music and the natural leadership, Catherine made us want to improve musically on the pipes and as a band ensemble.  She had a drive to never rest on past accomplishments and instead her focus was one of positively looking.

In those early months of 2013 I was blessed to be able to spend a number of pre-band time slots playing chanter and pipes with and for her, going through passages of the myriad of music to be memorized before joining the band for parades, and eventually competition. Catherine made me feel welcomed in the band, as a piper and friend. Her encouragement was inspiring and I found myself wanting to do the best I could for her and the band. Even as she guided the band in those early months, the illness slowly taking its toll, and the doctors doing their best to reverse the course of the cancer, she would still show up to practices and encourage, extoll and demand more and better from us.

We’ve lost a good friend to cancer. My prayers go out to her family. Catherine’s life and influence goes beyond her passing: to the family she loved, to the music she played, to the leadership she showed, to the love of life she lived, to the courage and bravery she demonstrated during her illness and to the many friends she made wherever she went.

I, among many, will miss her.