PIPE BANDS IN NEW ENGLAND
We want this list to be a complete list; we realize we are missing some bands. Also, you may find some of the information has changed, so please let us know so we may improve the quality of our information. We aim to be the best J If you have suggestion, please send them to our Editor-in-Chief, Larry Bethune – [email protected]
If you are looking to hire a piper or pipers for an event, we have some suggestions. Hiring a piper is a matter of personal taste, much like hiring a band for a wedding, a contractor to build a house, a painter to paint your family portrait, or a restaurant for your anniversary. Scots in New England does not endorse nor specifically recommend any individuals or companies on our website. We strongly suggest that you “audition” pipers by:
- asking them for sample of their performances, either by visiting websites, in person, or media sent to you.
- ask friends who have hired pipers for their recommendations.
- definitely contact one of these pipe bands and ask the pipe major for recommendations (after all, they DO audition pipers).
- hop over to the Scottish Highland Dance collection of this website and contact the curator; dancers often know who the good pipers are.
Remember, our desire is to build a community of those who love all things Scottish in New England. Therefore, we accept as member of the community the highest rated bagpipers as well as the young musician who started the pipes this morning. So, do your homework, you decide, but use our resources to help guide you.
BOSTON POLICE GAELIC COLUMN OF PIPES AND DRUMS (Irish)
WEBSITE
The first meeting to organize the Column was held in 1992 at the famous Doyle’s Cafe in Jamaica Plain. With more than ninety Officers in attendance, the Gaelic Column was becoming a reality. Every year the Column has proudly leads Boston’s, Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Southie. Our schedule is filled with charity events and public performances. Numerous private conventions, celebrations, weddings and funerals also keep the schedule full.
Call: 617-309-6832 Email Facebook Twitter
BRIAN BORU PIPE BAND (Irish) – Falmouth, MA
Our band consists of many talented musicians committed to delivering quality Irish pipe band music to our region. We do a wide variety of public performances through a number of holiday parades as well as private performances such as weddings, funerals, and other venues. We are very proud of our musical ability as well as our heritage.
To send an email, go to Facebook page and message
Call 508-274-4648
CLAN MACPHERSON PIPES & DRUMS
Clan MacPherson Pipes and Drums is one of New England’s oldest continually operating pipe and drum ensembles, founded in 1921. An intergenerational ensemble, dedicated to furthering the proliferation of Scottish music and culture, the ensemble performs at a variety of events and parades throughout New England and the United Kingdom and offers instruction and musical development to the Merrimack Valley.
COLONIAL PIPERS – Boston, MA
The Colonial Pipers are an all youth bagpipe and drum performance band. We participate in many parades throughout the year and play mostly traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, while occasionally throwing in some renditions of songs by the Dropkick Murphy’s (hey, we are based in Boston, after all!).
COMMONWEALTH PIPES AND DRUMS – Melrose, MA
The Commonwealth Pipes and Drums is a non-profit organization that seeks to expand knowledge of traditional bagpipe band music.
To send an email, go to Facebook page and message
Instagram
HIGHLAND LIGHT SCOTTISH PIPE BAND – Cape Cod, MA
Officially founded in 1978, Highland Light is the oldest pipe band on Cape Cod. The Highland Light welcomes new members, either experienced pipers and drummers or those looking to learn. We offer both bagpipe lessons and drum lessons to people looking to learn the instrument, and a challenge for the experienced players looking to better themselves.
617-750-5983 or [email protected] www.highlandlight.com/
HOLYOKE CALEDONIAN PIPE BAND – Holyoke, MA
The Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band was founded in 1910, making us the oldest continually operating pipe band in North America. We uphold a tradition of excellence and pride in pipe band performance. Our members are passionate about providing the community of Western Massachusetts with excellent performances and excitement.
Facebook Contact via Facebook Messenger EMAIL
IRISH AMERICAN POLICE OFFICERS PIPES & DRUMS
The Band currently practices on Tuesday Evening and Friday mornings. New members are always welcome {no musical experience is needed}. Contact the Band Master for further info [email protected] The Band receives Bagpipe and Drum Instruction from professionals who have received top awards from around the world
MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE PIPES & DRUMS
The Massachusetts State Police Pipes and Drums is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to performing for law enforcement functions. Proudly serving the Commonwealth since 1995, the entire band is comprised of active and retired members of the Massachusetts State Police.
508-820-2300 – ask about the band
To message the band, go to their page
470 Worcester Road, Framingham MA 01702
NORTH SHORE PIPE BAND – Peabody/Danvers, MA
Fun-loving band with members of all ages from around Boston’s North Shore and southern New Hampshire. Available for events, performances, parades and special occasions. Piping and drumming instruction available. New members and learners always welcome!
Website Facebook. Instagram. Email
OLD COLONY HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND – Lakeville, MA
Old Colony Highlanders was founded in 2016. We are an inter-generational bagpipe and drum band devoted to fostering the music and culture of the Great Highland Bagpipe and drums through performance and competition in southeastern New England and beyond.
OCH is both a performance and competition bagpipe band that consistently ranks in the top of the division in the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, and was the number one band in the grade in 2021. Years The band offers lessons in bagpiping and drumming as well.
PIPES & DRUMS OF NHSCOT
Our mission is to help build the next generation of pipers and drummers in support of our mission to preserve and promote Scottish culture for future generations. The Pipes & Drums of NHSCOT will further the advancement of Scottish culture by introducing the tradition of Highland Pipe Band to communities through performance and education.
Founded in 2018, The Pipes & Drums of NHSCOT follows the model of traditional Scottish pipe bands which are sponsored and supported by local businesses and their community. NHSCOT will manage the band and offer stability and a built-in infrastructure. Gibson Bagpipes has partnered with NHSCOT for this venture and will offer years of experience in band management and equipment needs.
The band will serve as NHSCOT’s duty band and will perform at our NHSCOT events.
SPRINGFIELD KILTIE BAND
The Springfield Kiltie Band, established in 1917 is one of the longest running pipe bands in U.S. history. The purpose of the band is to engage in activities and programs as will improve all aspects of bagpipe music as well as piping and drumming with respect to both pipe band and individual playing. Our goal is to foster greater public appreciation and understanding of piping and drumming, and to create and promote bonds of fellowship and camaraderie among pipers and drummers. To achieve both our goal and purpose, the band offers free instruction in piping and drumming to anyone who joins the band.
Facebook
To email, go to Facebook page and Message
STUART HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND – Wilmington, MA
Founded in 1964, The Stuart Highlanders Pipe Band is a prize-winning performing and competing Scottish Highland Bagpipe band based in the greater Boston metropolitan region. Over fifty-two years since the band’s founding, the band has actively pursued its mission to spread a greater appreciation for the art of Scottish bagpipes and drums and Scottish culture in general.
SUTHERLAND PIPE BAND – Natick & Metro West, MA
Sutherland Pipe Band has a history of over 85 years making it one of the oldest pipe and drum bands in the United States. We are a registered Grade 5 competition band in the EUSPBA. We offer lessons for bagpipes and drums for any person interested in joining the band. No experience required!
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
EMAIL Band manager Jim Peters for general information or for booking.
EMAIL Pipe Major Neil McCarthy for questions about joining the band or learning to play
WESTFORD FIREFIGHTERS PIPES & DRUMS
The Westford Firefighters Pipes and Drums is a public safety service pipe band made up of Public Safety personnel and civilians alike. Our mission is to be ever ready to honor a fallen Public Safety or Military hero and to uphold the proud traditions of the Highland Pipes and Drums. As a performing musical group our goals are to continually improve and foster an appreciation for Celtic music. The band chose the Sinclair red tartan in honor of Sir Henry Sinclair’s Expedition to North America and the band crest, designed by Westford Firefighter Dave Christiana, is based on the Clan Gunn Crest in honor of Sir James Gunn whom, according to the Westford Knight legend, died in Westford on the expedition. The Westford Knight legend and the stone with the carving of a Knight are located about ½ mile from Westford Fire Headquarters.
Facebook Email Phone – 978-210-3024
WILMINGTON POLICE PIPES & DRUMS
The Wilmington Police Pipes & Drums is made up of Police officers, Firefighters, Paramedics, and Citizens from the Greater Wilmington area. Our Organization is affiliated and made up of members of the Greater Wilmington law enforcement community. Our Bands Mission is to “Onoir Ar Marbh” or “Honor our Fallen. The band pays tribute to Local Police, Fire, and Military personnel that have given their lives in the line of duty by traveling and playing the Pipes and Drums at their last call. We take pride in our Mission and see it as an Honor to be able to do what we do.
WORCESTER KILTIE PIPE BAND – Holyoke, MA
Formed in 1916, the Worcester Kiltie Band is one of the oldest functioning pipe bands in the US. The ‘Kilties’ are famous for being the first pipe band in the US to rise to international prominence at the Grade 1 level.
EMAIL the band manager
EMAIL the pipe major
EMAIL the drum sergeant
CLADDAGH MHOR PIPE BAND
The members of Claddagh Mhor Pipe Band each have their individual history, but as a group we are looking toward the future. We are focused on quality and with that, competition. The name “Claddagh Mhor” is derived from the Claddagh, a symbol of friendship (hands), loyalty (crown) and love (heart); and the Gaelic word, Mohr (pronounced ‘more’), meaning great or big.
DUNLAP HIGHLAND BAND
Founded in 1994, the Dunlap Highland Band is Maine’s longest-running community pipe band. The band was originally named the Dunlap Fraternal Highlanders after its founding location: a Masonic lodge in Biddeford, Maine. In the late 1990s, under the leadership of Pipe Major George Pulkkinen, the Dunlap Highland Band incorporated as a non-profit and opened membership to the general public. In 2000, the band adopted Maine Dirigo tartan shortly after the tartan was developed by the St. Andrews Society of Maine. Today, the Dunlap Highland Band is an active parade band, performing at events throughout northern New England.
KORA HIGHLANDERS
The Kora Highlanders were founded in 1979 a group of Nobles envisioned putting a pipe band together. We are a Shrine band – we play so our children in the Shriners Hospitals may walk.
MAINE PUBLIC SAFETY PIPE & DRUM CORP
The purposes of this organization are:
- To honor all our public safety personnel both locally and nationally by providing Scottish music for funerals and memorials without any cost
- To represent the men and women of Maine’s public safety by participating in a variety of events including, but not limited to, funerals, memorials, fairs, community events, parades, highland games/gatherings, and competitions
- To further Celtic and Scottish traditions in public performances
- To teach Highland bagpiping and Scottish style pipe band drumming
To send a message to the MPSP&DC, visit their Facebook page and use Messages
RHODE ISLAND HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND
The first meeting to organize the Column was held in 1992 at the famous Doyle’s Cafe in Jamaica Plain. With more than ninety Officers in attendance, the Gaelic Column was becoming a reality. Every year the Column has proudly leads Boston’s, Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Southie. Our schedule is filled with charity events and public performances. Numerous private conventions, celebrations, weddings and funerals also keep the schedule full.
CATAMOUNT PIPE BAND – Montpelier, VT
Catamount Pipe Band performs and competes all over the northeastern US and the world.
The Catamount Pipe Band Puts Vermont on the Bagpiping Map
The Catamount Pipe Band regularly competes throughout the region and plays at Vermont events and parades, as well as at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland.
They’ve Got the Pipes: First Place for Catamount The Catamount Pipe Band brought home to Vermont a First-Place trophy from the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on July 16. This was the pipe band’s first competition of the 2022 season.