Join the Band

The Border Highlanders Pipes & Drums is always recruiting. If you're interested in learning how to play, we teach lessons before our weekly rehearsals and also offer options for one-on-one instruction - please contact us via our Contact page.

The guidelines below provide a guide for what potential band members must be able to do in order to receive your band kit and be a full member of the band.

Band Membership and Receiving the Band Uniform

Expectations for All Performing Band Members

In regard to attendance, all players must:

• strive to be at practice every week, with the understanding that occasionally health, family, work, and/or other considerations will preclude attendance;
• make every possible effort to participate in all band performances, with the understanding that occasionally health, family, work, and/or other considerations will preclude attendance; and
• communicate to the Pipe Major as far in advance as possible about absences.

In regard to marching, all players must be able to:

• maintain coordination of steps to the beat by stepping in time;
• step off and start the downbeat of tunes on the left foot and keep steps inline with the rest of the band;
• maintain proper distances in front and to the sides when marching in formation;
• understand how to countermarch; and
• understand basic directions given from a Drum Major.

Expectations for Performing Pipers

In regard to maintaining their instrument, pipers must:

• regularly check instrument to ensure that bag, reed seats, and hemped joints are airtight;
• maintain drone and chanter reeds to ensure proper functioning;
• oil drone bores at least once per year;
• replace frayed drone cords and trim any frayed hemp from joints;
• use black drone cords, except the Pipe Major and Pipe Sergeant (silver); and
• use a band supplied bag cover.

In regard to controlling their instrument, pipers must be able to consistently and comfortably:

• play all three drones and the chanter;
• tune drones to the chanter;
• maintain a steady tone while playing;
• strike in drones in time with the count-off with no drone noise before striking in;
• bring in the chanter on an E in time with the count-off; and
• cut off drones at the end of a tune without any trailing sounds.

In regard to repertoire, pipers must be able to:

• play, at minimum, all current parade repertoire in established band settings, as defined by the current band website, on the pipes; and
• play these tunes with accurate rhythms.

Expectations for Performing Drummers

In regard to maintaining their instrument, drummers must:

• maintain their drum, its case, harnesses, mallets and/or sticks; and
• be responsible for keeping their drum properly tensioned and tuned.

In regard to repertoire, drummers must be able to:

• competently play, at minimum, all current parade repertoire in established band settings, as defined by the current band website; and
• play these tunes with accurate rhythm and tempo in synchrony with the pipes and drum corps.