Pipe and Drum Competition

Appalachian St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums – Grade V

The Appalachian Saint Andrews’s Pipes and Drums of Blairsville originated in 2004, with the goals of building a membership dedicated to Scottish Piping and Drumming, becoming more proficient in the playing of Scottish pipes and drums, and to improving performance standards as individuals and as a band. The band entertains audiences throughout the Southern Appalachian region, and performs annually at various parades, festivals, ceremonies, churches, community events, civic organizations, veterans groups, and public and private events around the North Georgia and Western North Carolina areas. The Band is currently under the musical leadership of Pipe Major Richard Smith, with the drum corps under the leadership of Drum Sergeant Brian Gatti. The Appalachian Saint Andrew’s Pipes and Drums is proud of its close association with the various veterans organizations in the area, and with the Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Its members come from all over the North Georgia and Western North Carolina areas, and the band is actively recruiting pipers and drummers, both experienced and beginning! The Band promises excellent instruction in a friendly and supportive environment, and invites anyone interested to come to a rehearsal. More information may be obtained from the band website at www.ASAPDBand.com.

 

John Mohr Macintosh Pipes and Drums – Grade V

Those familiar with the dynamic John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes & Drums know of their reputation for remarkable showmanship and competitive spirit. For 35 years John Mohr has continued to perform the timeless music of the pipes and drums throughout the Southeastern United States.

John Mohr’s motto, Invictus (L. unconquerable), reflects the spirit of the band—a spirit that embraces the time-honored standards and traditions practiced worldwide by other Scottish pipe bands. Members are dedicated to the band, to the music, and to furthering the education and enjoyment of traditional Scottish music and culture.

Wearing the brilliant red Mackintosh tartan, John Mohr proudly bears the name of eighteenth-century adventurer Captain John Mohr Mackintosh, whose exploits are recorded in the chronicles of early-American colonial history. Mackintosh was a direct descendant of the Clan Chiefs of Scotland and one of the first Scots to pioneer coastal Georgia. A native of Borlum, Scotland, he arrived in Georgia in February, 1733, along with 44 men, 20 women, 25 boys, and 17 girls. While under the command of Georgia-Colony founder General James Edward Oglethorpe, Mackintosh raised and commanded the Highland Independent Company of Foot. This volunteer contingent of Scottish settlers joined with Indians from the Creek and Cherokee Nations, and regulars of the heavily Scottish 42nd Highland Regiment of Foot, to defeat a Spanish invasion force at the Battles of Gully Hole Creek and Bloody Marsh (ca. 1742). These victories ended the long-running Anglo-Spanish struggle over the Southeast American Colonies, securing these colonies for Great Britain.

In later years, Mackintosh’s son and nephew served General George Washington during the American Revolution. Later descendants became two Georgia governors: George McIntosh Troup and Thomas Spalding. The Mackintosh line is also associated with Creek Indian Chief William McIntosh, and the late W.E. “Dode” McIntosh, principal chief of the Creek Indian Nation. The latter was an honorary member of John Mohr.

 

Atlanta Pipe Band – Grade IV

Now in its 53rd year, the Atlanta Pipe Band continues to further the great tradition of Scottish music and culture through performance and education.  The APB story begins in 1967, a few years before the band’s official founding in 1970. Henry Franz, a young Emory University student and bagpiper, was photographed playing his instrument by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. A couple of other pipers saw the article and reached out. Word began to spread in Atlanta’s Scottish community that there was a new band forming. Others joined in, and before long, APB was established!

In the early days, the group performed in parades, civic events, church services, and was a part of the first Stone Mountain Highland Games in 1972.  We are proud to say that Henry remains an active member of the band to this day!

 

Knoxville Pipes and Drums – Grade IV

In the spring of 1991 Anne Armstrong and Keith Heishman, fledgling practice chanter students, were joined by Nashville transplant, bagpiper Garry McBride and became the core of what was to become the Knoxville Pipes and Drums. Piper Tom Gordon joined them that summer and David Perkins, Larry Campbell and Chris Riedl joined their ranks in the fall.

Tom Gordon became the band’s Pipe Major with Chris Riedl holding the Pipe Sgt. position and Anne Armstrong serving as Band Coordinator. Early members of the drum corps were Arvilee Grant and Eric Johnstone on snares and Tracy Riedl on bass. Ron Adams served as the first Drum Major. Founding member Chris Reidl is still an active member of the group, serving as President of the organization.

Since the Band’s founding under Pipe Major Tom Gordon, other pipe majors have included the late Bob Pennington, Don Cain, and Andrew Payzant. The band is presently under the direction of Pipe Major Kyle Tracy Wilson.

From the beginning the band has been encouraged by many members of the Scottish Society of Knoxville and other Scottish organizations in the area. A number or individuals made donations in direct support of the band’s efforts in getting started.

With a generous grant of $3,000.00 from an anonymous donor, the band purchased the kilts formerly worn by another pipe band.

Under a charter, officially presented in 1998 at the Glasgow (Kentucky) Scottish Games by Caberfeidh, the Rt. Hon. John Ruaridh Grant MacKenzie of Kintail, Earl of Cromartie, Chief of Clan MacKenzie, the members of the Knoxville Pipes and Drums wear the ancient MacKenzie tartan.

From the earliest days of the band, members gave free lessons to anyone wanting to learn piping or drumming. In 1994 a beginning practice chanter student who was skilled in that new-fangled invention the “Personal Computer”, designed our first band logo. He combined a white dogwood and a purple thistle over the background of the Saltire to signify the Scottish connection to East Tennessee.

Many individuals and organizations have provided us practice space. From our humble beginnings around Garry McBride’s kitchen table we have moved our practice sessions to Second Presbyterian Church, Graystone Presbyterian Church, the National Guard Armory, the Scottish Rite Temple, Maryville College, Victory Baptist Church, and our “new” home Buffat Heights Baptist Church. We’re appreciative of the vote of confidence these organizations have given us and hope we can continue to be good ambassadors of Scottish culture and particularly of Pipe Band music.