The Pipe Band Community

Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Pipe Band Community

This weekend, the Chattanooga pipe band will be having a clinic with one of the finest pipers and drummers in the North America. This will be wonderful opportunity to continue to develop the band and capitalize on last years big win at Stone Mountain. Winning once is great, but to repeat that same feat the fallowing year is something else. I hope that we get a lot accomplished this weekend.
One of the best aspects about the bagpipes is that there is always a great community awaiting you where ever you go. Many of the pest people I have meet in my life are friends that I met in different pipe bands. Over the years, I have moved around a bit and have had the opportunity to play in 4 different pipe bands. Each one is unique. From age to skill level, moving to a new city and meeting the pipe band is always exciting, never knowing what you will find and how you will fit into the band. After moving to Chattanooga, I was delighted to find that the local band is full of talent and genuine people.
Now that I am working at McCallie to set up a pipe band at that school, I look forward to planting the seed that could develop into a great program. The development of a band full of competitive musicians is my priority. I hope that this band will develop into a program that wins competitions and has the opportunity to travel far and wide for competition and performance opportunities.
For those of you looking to learn the bagpipes, take a look at the pipe band in town and visit a practice. It is a great chance to get a sense of what the band environment can offer you and how inviting the bagpipe community can be.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Recommendations

"We located Michael by a search on the internet and loved what he had posted. One may wonder whether web sites sometimes promise more than could be delivered. But, we found that the best part in working with Michael was that he lived up to the posted performances and was even more impressive in person! We needed his help on a very short notice basis for our father’s memorial service and he was very accommodating. We asked him to perform only lively, uplifting jigs instead of the standard funeral marches and he was fantastic. We asked him to join us for the service on a Sunday and the burial on the following Monday. It tied the two services together beautifully. Attendees stated that Michael was one of their favorite parts of the services. We would encourage anyone who wants a bit of the traditional and/or the non-traditional bagpipes for an event to work with Michael. He fits the bill of a bagpiper, both in sound and persona; his performance and professionalism were impeccable. You will not be disappointed!"
Lebo Newman
H.I.G. | SIGNATURE LANDSCAPES

"Michael Whinery has been the piper for the annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans ceremony at our church for several years. Since the first time he piped for us, we knew that we wanted him to play each year. Michael plays beautifully, is cooperative, and is very professional, making sure that he knows exactly what to do and when, so that the event flows just as it should. At each Kirkin’, I enjoy playing one organ piece in combination with him on the pipes, and he is fastidious about tuning to the pitch of the organ. Michael has also added appropriately solemn festivity to funerals and memorial services at our church. I highly recommend Michael Whinery as a piper for many different occasions. "
Randall C. Sheets, D.M.A.
Director of Music Ministries and Organist
Spring Hill Presbyterian Church

"It is always a pleasure to hear Michael Whinery play the bagpipes. He is an accomplished player. He is a great teacher according to his students. He is playing this winter for our McCallie Candlelight Program, an evening of Christmas music and celebration. We are honored to have him. I highly recommend Michael as a professional bagpiper."

Nina Keane

McCallie Music Dept. Admin. Asst