The City of Washington Pipe Band was a
grade two pipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term pipes and drums, used by military pipe bands is also common.
The most common form of pipe band consists of a section of pipers playing the Great Highland bagpipe, a ...
located in
Washington, D.C.
)
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History
The band was formed in 1961 as the Denny & Dunipace Pipe Band, by members of the
U.S. Air Force Pipe Band. Unable to compete due to Air Force regulations, members of that band joined with local players to form a
Grade Two pipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term pipes and drums, used by military pipe bands is also common.
The most common form of pipe band consists of a section of pipers playing the Great Highland bagpipe, a ...
in the
District of Columbia
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
.
Pipe Major
The pipe major is the leading musician of a pipe band, whether military or civilian. Like the appointment of drum major, the position is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term sergeant piper was used ...
Sandy Jones of the Air Force band took over in 1970.
In 1985, the band changed its name to The Scottish & Irish Imports Pipe Band due to a sponsorship change, and was upgraded to Grade One. In 1990 Mike Green was named Pipe Major, and after competing under the Denny & Dunipace name during the 1990 season, the band was renamed to the City of Washington Pipe Band to avoid confusion with their namesake—Denny & Dunipace, Scotland—who would also be competing at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. In 2007 Dan Lyden was named
Pipe Major
The pipe major is the leading musician of a pipe band, whether military or civilian. Like the appointment of drum major, the position is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term sergeant piper was used ...
.
Sponsorship from
Icelandair allowed the band to compete internationally in the 1990s, and the band was downgraded to conform with international standards. They won Grade Two at the
World Pipe Band Championships
The World Pipe Band Championships is a pipe band competition held in Glasgow, Scotland. The World Pipe Band Championships as we currently know them have been staged since 1947 although the Grade 1 Pipe Band Competition winners at the annual Cowal ...
in 1999, and were subsequently upgraded back to Grade One. The band competed internationally in Grade One, coming in 2nd at the
North American Pipe Band Championships in
Maxville, Ontario in 2000. The band placed twice in the finals of the World Pipe Band Championships, taking 11th in 2001, and 14th in 2004. After being downgraded by the RSPBA to Grade 2 in 2010 and competing in North America in Grade 1 in 2011, the band requested a move to Grade 2 for the 2012 season while it redeveloped its pipe section.
In 2014, the City of Washington Pipe Band dissolved due to a lack of membership. Many members of the band joined or started new programs in the
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
area, including the MacMillan Pipe Band which now competes in Grade 2.
Notable members
*
William Barr
William Pelham Barr (born May 23, 1950) is an American attorney who served as the 77th and 85th United States attorney general in the administrations of Presidents George H. W. Bush and Donald Trump.
Born and raised in New York City, Barr ...
, the 77th and 85th
Attorney General of the United States.
Pipe majors
*''Bill Logan'' (1961-1970)
*''Sandy Jones'' (1970-1975)
*''Ed Krintz'' (1975-1978, 1980-1982)
*''Charlie Glendinning'' (1978-1980, 1985-1986)
*''Tim Carey'' (1982-1985, 1987-1990)
*''Mike Green'' (1990-2007)
*''Dan Lyden'' (2007-2014)
Leading drummers
*''Walt Birtles'' (1961-1975)
*''Tommy Kee'' (1975-1977, 1981-1988)
*''Tim Gladden'' (1977-1981)
*''Jon Quigg'' (1988-2005, 2009-2011)
*''Bill Saul'' (2005-2007)
*''Jason Hoffert'' (2007-2009)
*''Alex Kuldell'' (2011-2014)
Discography
*''Denny & Dunipace Pipe Band'' (1980)
*''Scottish Rant'' (1999)
Notes
External links
Alistair Brown's review of ''Scottish Rant'' for Green Man Review
{{Authority control
Musical groups established in 1961
Grade 2 pipe bands
1961 establishments in Washington, D.C.
Musical groups from Washington, D.C.