Joining 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.
  • Furthermore, pipers are expected to aspire to proficiency in all current band repertoire with full settings. Pipers who learn only reduced settings and/or parade tunes without demonstrable effort toward forward progress may be asked to only play certain performances or may be asked to turn in their uniform at the discretion of the Pipe Major.

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.
  • Furthermore, drummers are expected to strive diligently for proficiency in all current band repertoire with full settings.  Drummers who learn only reduced settings and/or parade tunes without demonstrable effort toward progress may be asked to play only certain performances or may be asked to turn in their uniform at the discretion of the Pipe Major.