On Friday night (11/6) I attended a Highland Evening with the Schenectady Pipe Band and the Braemar Highland Dancers. The event was sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of Schenectady. The Schenectady Pipe Band recorded the concert for their first CD. After the concert they showed a video of the Capital District Scottish Games and held a ceilidh with Frank Jaklitsch. It was fun evening and great to see friends from the Albany Police Pipe Band. Dan Mancuso played a solo at the concert and this photo is of Dan Cole and Dan Mancuso--both originally from the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band and Scotia-Glenville High School!!! Although not the original 'Dan Squared' I'm sure they could revive that act for the Tartan Turkey Talent Show before Thanksgiving

Before Pipe Bands.......Marching Band

Before I was a piper or played in Pipe Bands, I was in Marching Band!!! In college I played the Tenor Saxophone and marched in the UMass Minuteman Marching Band.

This past weekend was Homecoming and the University held a ground breaking ceremony for the new band building . It was quite moving to consider that George Parks has been the director for 33 years and taught over 4000 students. Just like anyone who has been a member of the "Power and Class of New England" I can say that my experiences in the band taught me incredible life lessons--about working on a team and doing your best so that the entire presentation was excellent. George told us we were the best band in New England (or anywhere) and we believed it and we worked hard to make sure we were (Aggaainnnn). We made lifelong friends, served in leadership positions in the band (which is entirely student run) or some days, just made it practice on time (to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late.....).

Through it all George Parks demanded excellence and never apologized for his expectations. He has the BIGGEST vision of what the band could be and should be. As the Director of a Pipe Band, I often use his lines, remember his words of wisdom (Eyes--With Pride) and am thankful that I had those experiences in college. I hope that I can do the same for the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band.

Band Day October 2009

Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band held it's first Band Day of the new year. We spent time making sure the pipes were in order AND got acquainted with the Manometer. This will be the big push for the year---getting relatively new pipers 'blowing better tone'. The Grade 3 band has welcomed back some alumni and it was great to see Andrew Wilkenson and Brandon Madigan! Chris Babcock is also planning on coming back.





The drummers were hard at work reviewing and learning new material. I'll have photo's of them next time!!!!!

Fountain Trust Pipe Band

This past weekend, Eric MacNeill and I travelled out to Fountain County, Indiana to work with the Fountain Trust Pipe Band. We've been working with them for a couple of years now. They are a Grade 4 Pipe Band, led by Campbell White, Pipe Major.

We spent time working on their new Competition Quick March Set and playing through material for the Tartan Ball they will be hosting on November 21 at the Purdue Ballrooms, West Lafayette, IN.

Here's a link to their site http://www.fountaintrustpipeband.com/

Jayne and Kip White are awesome hosts---a great weekend of piping and drumming among the cornfields of Indiana!!

Hobart Pipes and Drums

I travel down to Oneonta, NY to work with members of the Hobart Pipes and Drums as well as coach the band. Journalists from the Daily Star stopped by last night to interview members of the band. Here's a link to the article in the Daily Star

http://www.thedailystar.com/local/local_story_266040046.html

If you're in the Oneonta area and are interested in learning to play Pipes or Drums please contact me.

Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band Open House

Do you know a young child that is interested in learning to play the pipes or drums?????? The Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday September 30th at 7:00 p.m. at the Scotia-Glenville Middle School.

We welcome learners and players from all over the Capital District. At the Open House you will learn about the pipes and drums, our education programs, meet the instructors, hear the band, and meet the band members.

Check out our Web Site www.sgpipeband.com

Or email me at meconnor@earthlink.net

We look forward to meeting you.

Pipe Band Idol!!!!!!!

What an awesome weekend at the Capital District Scottish Games (the BEST Scottish Games in the County) We had a decent day on Saturday--3rd in the MSR Open Challenge and 5th in the Medley contest. On Sunday we WON the Pipe Band Idol Competition!!!! Each of the bands performed a 20 minute concert of their best material. Voting was done by audience members...could it have been the cuteness factor????

It was a great finish to a really excellent season---thanks to all the players for their dedication and their parent for their support