Pipe up for Elgin & District’s 50th anniversary
A drum roll is sounding as Elgin & District Pipe Band sets about to ensure its 50th anniversary next year gets celebrated in fitting style.
After coming close to folding during the pandemic, the band is now determined to mark its half-century by returning to competitions.
With that goal firmly in mind, the call is going out for extra musicians and local businesses to become involved.
Lead drummer Scott Brander and pipe major Scott Oliphant have joined up with the ambition of returning the band to prominence.
The two Scotts first met as members of the Buchan Pipe Band, who are former world champions in the Grade II category, while the latter also played the pipes for the globally-famous Vale of Atholl band.
The drumming Scott said: “Pipe band music is just in your blood. Both of us have just loved it ever since we were kids and have always wanted to play this sort of music.
“Our aim is to secure the band’s future by getting more young people involved, but we basically have an open door policy. We accept all ages and all abilities and help them to improve.
“Its about keeping the tradition alive and passing on this great musical legacy.”
The band, which currently has 16 pipers and 13 drummers, has not competed in any competitions since the onset of Covid.
It now hopes to increase the overall number of musicians up to and beyond 40.
Its first goal is to make a competitive return on June 8, when the British Pipe Band Championships will be staged in Forres.
In order for that to happen it has applied to the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association for special permission to play in ‘mixed tartan’.
Which brings us to its next goal.
In time for next year’s 50th anniversary, the aim is to have every member kitted out in a newly created and matching Elgin & District Pipe Band tartan.
Scott added: “We’re going to need the support of both individuals and local businesses to do that, but we firmly believe it’s important for Elgin as a town to have a really thriving pipe band.
“We want to compete again but we also want to perform at more events in the community.
““There’s a brilliant camaraderie that develops from being together in your own band, but there’s even more to it than that.
“Speaking personally, I’ve formed really good friendships over the years with people from other bands, and from other countries across the world, such as Ireland, Australia and Canada.
“There are so many opportunities that come from being involved in pipe band music.
“I’d recommend it to anyone.”
The Elgin & District Pipe Band meets every Wednesday evening at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Elgin High Street.
Anyone wanting to get involved or to find out more, can get in touch via its Facebook page HERE.
