Scott has been a member of the Maine St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums from its beginnings in 1994 to the present, taking the position of Pipe Major when the original P/M, Donna Hawkins, left the post in 2001.

Scott began chanter lessons 30-some years ago, with Ned Smith of East Holden. After purchasing a used set of Highland pipes from a family friend, he became the first apprentice in the Argyll Highlanders, also led by Ned Smith. Attending the seminars and workshops of such players as Bob Worrall, Ken Eller and Robert Mathiesson has also helped expand his knowledge of the instrument and its music. Four years in the University Singers from the University of Maine also helped add to his appreciation and knowledge of performance.

A change of name and additional goals transformed the Argyll Highlanders into 'Northern Border Caledonia', with which Scott performed in band competitions in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. , two of those many years as pipe-sergeant. The band achieved recognition for innovation in Grade IV, in addition to its busy schedule of parades, concerts and school appearances.

A landscaper and stoneworker by trade, Scott is currently also working on his own long thought-after post and beam house in Surry, ME. Noted for a quirky sense of humor, he is known for unexpectedly reciting Monty Python sketches (assisted by other band members) and has been known to attempt to bring order out of chaos and instill focus in those temporarily distracted by suddenly calling out "At one hundred yards, volley fire - PRESENT!" (apologies to Michael Caine). As to why an American with an Irish name plays Scots music in Canada, he mysteriously invokes the French phrase 'Cherchez la femme'... with apologies to no one.

About 45 years ago my mother took me to a performance of the Gaelic Arts College Pipe Band. Mom had always wanted to learn the highland fling, so she sent me off to the Gaelic College in St. Anns, Nova Scotia, to learn highland dance. The College required me to take something in addition to highland dancing, so I signed up for bagpiping taught by Gold Medalist Seumas MacNeill, and the rest is, as they say, history. In 1975 I joined The Argyle Highlanders, soon to become Northern Border Caledonia. Under the direction of PM Ned Smith and Drum Sergeant Anthea O'Neal, we entertained and educated multicultural audiences across the state of Maine and competed successfully in Atlantic Canada and New England in Grades 3 and 4, one year becoming New Brunswick Champions and the next taking 4th in our grade at the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario. Twenty-one years later, NBC was part of the merger which created the Maine St. Andrew's Pipes & Drums. As a former Pipe Sergeant of NBC, present PS and Business Manager of MSAPD, and instructor of piping, I bring my own special brand of craziness to our beloved music. In my other life, I teach math and language arts to teens and adults, study Eckankar, and live in Corinth with my two Briards and assorted dogs and cats, most rescues or throwaways. Because of piping and pipe bands, I've met people and gone places I would never have otherwise. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm looking forward, with interest, to what my next 45 years of piping will bring.

Jeremy Burkard lives in Bowdoinham, and has been playing the bagpipes since 1995. He had an interest in European history and had previously played violin, bass, trumpet, trombone, tuba and euphonium in concert, marching and jazz bands. He met Lynn Alexander (current Pipe Sergeant), Donna Hawkins (former Pipe Major) and Scott Heney (current Pipe Major) through a series of bizarre social coincidences, and decided to learn the pipes and play with the band. Jeremy plays MacMurchie pipes, and takes a special interest in trying new technical bits to improve the quality of his piping.

I began my pipeband experience as a side drummer with the New Haven Gaelic Pipeband of New Haven, Connecticut in the early 1970's. Many years after setting pipebands aside upon entering the Navy, I happened past a Maine Saint Andrews rehearsal and stopped to listen. I began chanter lessons soon thereafter with then pipe major, Donna Hawkins. Without a set of pipes I was on the street as the bass drummer until 2000, when I left the drum corp and began piping full time.

I play a set of Grainger & Campbell pipes, having relieved my brother of them after my father passed them to him. It has been an enjoyable experience, playing music for people and carrying on with others in the band.

For the past few years I have helped in planning and presenting the Fort Knox Scottish Tattoo, an event which brings together many of Maine's pipebands for an evening of music.

I discovered the Maine St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums the summer of 2003. My family and I were driving around Ellsworth determined to find the live bagpipe music coming from somewhere, and were delighted to find a whole band marching during a practice at the old Moore School. I joined them that fall and have loved having the opportunity to learn true Scottish Highland side drumming alongside the pipes.

My parents were born and raised in England, my mother is from Nottingham and my father is from London and moved to Nottingham in his later youth. I have always known bagpipe music and feel a deep resonance inside when I hear it, like it is calling to me. We took a few trips to England to visit extended family when I was young, all great times, and I spent many adolescent years wishing my parents had stayed in England to raise us 3 children instead of settling in Southern California. Perhaps that is why I feel such a connection to Maine, it has a similar feel in it's climate, landscape and overall essence to Great Britain, at least to the parts I got to know.

I played flute for a couple of years in elementary school but didn't go far with it. After high school I purchased my first drum kit, loving the rhythm and feel of it, but never committing the time to really learning how to play well. It has long since been sold, but my desire to drum never went away (and this time I only have to think about and coordinate 2 hands, so much easier!). I am grateful for the opportunity to learn an instrument in my adult years, and although it has been challenging to find enough time to practice and perform around our busy family of 5, it has been so rewarding.

Shane began studying the bagpipes at the age of eight under the tutelage of Paula Tinker. After two years of lessons with Paula, he joined the Maine St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums in 1997. Two summer sessions at the Gaelic College in St. Anns, Nova Scotia were an influential part of Shane's early pursuit of the instrument, exposing him more broadly to the world of piping. Shane left the band in 2004 to attend college in New York where he received valuable musical training in trumpet. During his first three summers in college, he enjoyed, among his other duties as a living history interpreter, playing the bagpipes for visitors to Grand Portage National Monument in Minnesota. Shane currently resides in Bangor and is excited to have rejoined the band. In addition to the bagpipes and trumpet, he enjoys dabbling with numerous other instruments, the more obscure the better.

Genie lives in Exeter, Maine, and is a tenor drummer. Her son, Quinn, played the bagpipes with the band until he started college. Genie missed the Scottish music as well as the camaraderie of the band members. With a background in piano, she decided to learn tenor drumming in 2010 when her youngest left for college. Genie now performs in band concerts and competitions as a rhythm and flourishing tenor. She is also the band's "refreshments gal" --encouraging fellowship with food!

A former elementary teacher, Genie is married with four children, two whom are harpists. She works part time for the City of Brewer as well as the Corinth Law Office. Residing on a 300-acre farm with memories of her youngsters' adventures has sparked her interest in writing children's books.

In 1951, at the age of 30, Norman's mother-in-law gave him a chanter and book to help him fulfill his dream of learning to play the bagpipes. He took instruction with Donald Leslie, formerly of the Isle of Skye and the Cameron Highlanders. In 1955 he joined the MacGregor Pipe Band located in Philadelphia. Norman moved to Buffalo, NY, and there became a member of the Caledonia Pipe Band. He was one of the founding members of the Ashby Massachusetts Pipe Band, and in 1976 Norman took over as Pipe Major, a position he retained for 20 years. After a move to Maine, he joined Northern Border Caledonia and subsequently became a member of Maine St. Andrew's Pipes & Drums. For health reasons, in 2006 Norman retired from piping after 55 years of joyful playing. He resides in Deer Isle with his beloved wife, Jackie, who, while never playing the pipes herself, supported Norman every step of the way. His daughter-in-law is lead drummer for the Scots Highland Pipes & Drums.

I grew up in a family that was always aware of its Scottish heritage. My father often played Scottish records; being an Army officer, the music featured military brass bands. After I graduated college in 1980, I responded to the call of the pipes and began learning to play. I bought a set of Grainger and Campbell pipes during a genealogical trip to Scotland and had the great good fortune to have them first played by Pipe Major Angus MacDonald of the Scots Guards in Edinburgh Castle. I played for a time, but put the pipes down for a number of reasons, none of them good. I returned to learning the pipes in 2011 and, curiously, began learning drumming at the same time. I was attending the band's practices to familiarize myself to the tunes the band played and make it easier to learn them. I was asked to try my hand at the bass drum since the band had an opening there. Apparently, a sense of tempo and the strength to carry a bass drum, sometimes for miles at a time, do not occur in the same person as often as one would expect.

Moreover, since joining the band I've learned that although playing the music is always a challenge, the band members themselves are a welcoming bunch, helpful, and open to suggestions from a complete rookie. It is a true joy to share with them the trials and excitement of band competitions, the satisfaction of bringing the pleasure of the music to others, and the fulfillment of carrying on the heritage.

I was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and started my drumming career when I was about 4/5 years old. I was crazy about drumming, but my father wanted me to be a piper (he was a bass drummer). So, he took me to our local band, Kinning Park Pipe Band, for piping lessons, but I always ended up in the drummers' room. I started playing with the band when I was nine. We did quite well for a bunch of kids, picking up some trophies along the way. After playing for three years I left, because I wanted to try something different. So, I joined the Prince Charles Accordion Band. The drumming there was totally different, but because of my previous experience, I took over as the band's leading drummer.

I also had another passion; I wanted to be a soldier. Being only 16, I needed parental permission to join, which was not given. My father asked me to join the Merchant Navy instead, so I thought I would give it a shot. After two years I still wanted to be a soldier, so on my 18th birthday I left the sea and joined Her Majestry's Forces. While in training, I was asked if I would like to join the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for their Pipes and Drums. At the time I was happy learning to drive a tank, so I declined. Following training, I joined The 4th Royal Tank Regiment (Scotland's Own), and then I got a shock.

One day, while working on my vehicle (a 60 ton Chieftain Tank), I saw two guys standing in front of me in Tartan trews with an order to bring me to see Pete Elder (I didn't know who he was at the time), the Pipe Major of our Pipes and Drums, a unit I didn't know we had, as they had been away on tour. Pete asked me to join the band, as he had seen my personnel records and knew I was a drummer. Again I refused, still happy on my tank. A couple of weeks later I was called to see our Colonel. He explained that the Regiment was taking part in a huge music show, Halle-Munsterland Music Festival. Since most of the Pipe Band drum corps would be gone on training during this time, he asked if I would play for the weekend. It sounded at the time like he was asking, but it really was an order, so I said, "Yes, Sir." When I look back now, I realize I was set up, for when I went to the Quartermaster's, my uniform was already there and it fit like a glove (funny!). When the weekend was over, I tried to return the uniform only to be told, "No way, you're in the band now." So started a 17 year career in the Pipes and Drums of the 4th Royal Tank Regiment, and it was cool.

Like everyone else, I started as the junior drummer and learned to play all the percussion instruments. With the band, I played in just about every Military Tattoo and in almost every country in Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, USA, South America, Cyprus, Ireland, Scotland, and Russia. The band competed in Pipe Band Competitions all over the world and won the Scandinavian Championships two years in a row, taking 12 first places out of 13. I ended up as Lead Drummer for the band and then Drum Major for a short time, before retiring from the service. During my time with the band I performed many times before Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family (once also Highland Dancing for Her Majesty) and in five Edinburgh Tattoos, once as Senior Drum Major. As a solo drum competitor, I won many awards, including Scottish Junior Army Drummer and Army Drummer.

I came to the USA in 2001, to Ellsworth, Maine, and married a wonderful woman, Vicki. I also have two daughters, Katherine and Rebecca, whom I drag all over the place to watch me play. I met the Maine St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums at rehearsal one night, and it rekindled the spark, so I joined the band, first as drum sergeant and lead drummer and later as Drum Major. I have brought some skills from my earlier life and service to the band that have helped them, as well as my mix of Military, Navy, and Glaswegian humor. I have a thing about having a dress code, as the kilt is my country's national dress; so as part of my job as Drum Major, I make sure that everyone looks his/her best when in uniform.

I think it must be fate that I traveled halfway around the world to a small town in Maine and found a pipe band. I am proud of my (our) pipes and drums for the dedication everyone has in making the band work. All take part in competitions and performances and give up their valuable time during the summer months to travel the State of Maine and beyond to perform with the band. They also dedicate hours of hard work in the winter months to increase their skills. This year's efforts culminated in winning, for the first time, a major competition in New Hampshire at the Indoor Games. The only drawback to having a Scottish accent is the two questions I always seem to get asked: "Do you play bagpipes? (No, drums.) and "What do you wear under your kilt?" (Simple - socks and shoes.)

I was introduced to the band by my daughter Anna in 2004, as she started to take side drum lessons at age 8 from Anthea O'Neal and Darren Hart. She played for a year as I watched as a parent/groupie. I saw how much fun the band was having during that first season, and when Anna started to think about moving on to other musical instruments not played by a pipe band, I decided to take lessons to help keep her interested. Her interest continued to move toward other things as mine continued to grow toward the band. She left the band the next year and I found a bit of a home in it. I enjoy all types of music, but have a special fondness for Scottish, Celtic and American folk music. I also enjoy playing the bodhran at dances or just jam sessions. Making noise seems to work for me.

Ceilidh has been around bagpipe bands since before she was born. She was schlepped by her mom, Lynn Alexander, to many gigs with her brother and sister while growing up. In 2001 she finally officially joined the band, originally as a bass drummer. Despite Lynn's many efforts, one out of three was the best she could get.

Under the mentorship of Anthea O'Neal, she soon began learning the tenor drum as well. Ceilidh now leads the band's midsection, playing competition and concert bass as well as rhythm and flourishing tenor. She also writes beatings for tenor and bass that fit with our midsection's unique sound and style of playing. She is now learning to play the side drum with the band, which gives her a new perspective on how the entire drum corps plays together.

Rhythm comes fairly easily to Ceilidh, with a background of 14 years of dance and musical theater. Ceilidh shares her home with a number of fuzzy friends (dogs, cats, rat and mouse), most of which enjoy the band's music. The rest find solitude under the bed. She is currently attending college, pursuing her degree in Nursing.

The first time I heard a pipe band was during WWII when King George came to Perth to review the 42th Regiment of the Black Watch. From the perspective of a 5 year old, I was disappointed that the King was wearing an Army uniform - no crown, no velvet robes, no gold or great jewels. But the pipe band made up for any shortcomings of His Majesty. Never had I heard anything so wild, so exciting. Later, at home that evening, I announced to my mother that I would be a piper when I grew up. "Don't be silly, child," was her response. "Girls don't play bagpipes." Perhaps that was why I chose to learn drumming, when some 20 years later, while living in Pittsburgh, PA, the opportunity arose to join Clan Douglas Pipe Band of Wilkensburg, PA. That was back in the days of rope-tension drums, and since then, for more than 40 years, I have been involved on and off with pipe bands, playing snare, rhythm tenor, and bass. I started my drumming career at the very end of the era of rope-tension drums , and I feel privileged to have experienced the end of one era and the beginning of the extraordinary evolution of Highland drumming that took place mostly during the second half of the 20th century.

In 1976, I met Ned Smith at a party. With Ned as Pipe Major and me as Drum Sergeant and lead drummer, we founded The Argyle Highlanders, which several years later became Northern Border Caledonia, and finally Maine St. Andrew's Pipes & Drums. When the opportunity arose, I happily left the side drum line and took over the bass and rhythm tenor drums and became Midsection Leader. In 2007 the years had caught up with me, and I decided to retire as a performing member. I will always love the music and remain an associate member and strong supporter of the band. And who knows, I might even step back up to the bass drum again. Once the music is in your blood, it's very hard to stop.

I had thoughts of learning the Great Highland Bagpipe about 10 years ago after watching a graduation ceremony that used a pipe band to lead the procession. Shortly thereafter, I attended the Maine Highland Games in Brunswick and purchased a reed from one of the vendors to use in a practice chanter that had been loaned to me by a family member. It was all up hill from there. I learned to play but still struggled with some elements and piping became an exercise in frustration. I had stopped with lessons and needed some help.

I saw Maine St. Andrew's playing at the Fort Knox tattoo and it was apparent from a spectator's vantage point that the group looked like they were really having fun at the event. A visited the website and saw the open invitation for all interested in the band to drop by a regularly scheduled practice. I did and met with Scott who invited me to stay and listen.

As I said, it's been all up hill from there. :)

Tim's first practice chanter was acquired during a trip through Nova Scotia in the mid 1990's but it took another fifteen years before he discovered the Maine St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums and began taking lessons in earnest. Tim earned a doctorate studying mechanical engineering and is now employed as a self taught artisan. He runs his own nautically themed fiber gallery and antique shop, called "The Marlinespike Chandlery", located in Stonington, ME.

It has been my great pleasure for over twenty years to be involved in promoting my Celtic Heritage by playing in three pipe bands. I started as a tenor drummer, then bass, and now snare drummer. Maine St. Andrew's is a fine organization that offers a good opportunity for anyone interested in piping or drumming. We have real fine instructors who teach and I would urge anyone interested to join our practice session and check us out.

I used to think how great it would be to play the pipes. So on one of our trips to the Highland Games in Hew Hampshire, I purchased a chanter, tape, and instruction book on "How to play the bagpipes." At that time, my husband Ben played the snare drum with a band. So instead of tagging along on all the band trips, I decided to join. It was then that I received good instruction. I now enjoy playing with the St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums and enjoy meeting wonderful people where ever we play.