Northwest Junior Pipe Band heading to Scotland for World Pipe Band Championships

Members perform at various events during the year
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Northwest Junior Pipe Band - Shoreline, WA – Growing Pipers and Drummers in the Pacific North West since 1995. Founded by Scottish ex-pat Charlie McNeil, Northwest Junior Pipe Band is the only organization for youth to learn Scottish bagpipes and drums in the Puget Sound area.

By Jana Walker

Learning to play the pipes is comparable to the classical guitar or violin. Students start on an instrument resembling a recorder called a practice chanter, learning rudiments and technique.

"It takes about six months to one year to get up on the pipes.  After that it takes another year or two before it sounds like anything you would want to listen to," Kevin Auld, instructor and band director said.

Band members attend rehearsals every week for two hours on Thursday and four to seven hours on many Sundays.

This year the band must raise over $50,000 dollars as it prepares to travel to Glasgow, Scotland for the World Pipe Band Championships. The band has two major fundraising performances planned for the coming months.

A Ceilidh (Party) in May will celebrate the band's 20th anniversary followed on the heels of a 20th anniversary concert held at the Renton Civic Theater in March.

"Financially, it takes about two years to raise the type of money that we need in order to get the group over there. Our goal is always to raise enough money to cover half of the band members expenses," Angela Kennedy, vice president said.

Many volunteer hours are donated in the form of hand making uniform parts, to lower costs.  Airfares must be booked and this year the band is renting an entire dorm at the Glasgow School of Art.  

The trip is also a chance for personal growth and responsibility.

"I let the kids know I will not be bringing extra uniform parts. When you put it to them that way they really step up to the plate," Karen Gayle, uniform quartermaster said. 

With an eye towards the weight limits imposed by airlines, pipers often carry a drummer's personal items so that the drum itself can be counted as checked baggage.  

The board is hard at work attracting sponsors to the band. A range of sponsorship levels are available ranging from sponsoring a single kid for the season to paying for the band's annual operating costs.  Sponsorship would mean less pressure on band members and parents.  It would also contribute to scholarships the band provides. 

"Even though the band is kind of expensive we never turn anyone away," Gayle said. 

The band gives back to the community in a variety of ways. Over Veteran's Day weekend the band participated in The Boots to Books and Beyond Campaign at Edmonds Community College and played at VFW post #1040 in Lynnwood WA. They also march in the St. Patrick’s Day and 4th of July parades, as well as performing for cultural events at many local elementary schools.

About the 20th Anniversary Concert at the Renton Civic Theater

NWJPB is excited to do their first concert in a theater! Our concert will be on March 21 at 7:30pm at the Renton Civic Theater and tickets are $15 each. Tickets are available on the Renton Civic Theater website or from the Northwest Junior Pipe Band website.

About the Annual Mother’s Day Eve Ceilidh

Northwest Junior Pipe Band's annual Mother's Day Eve Ceilidh dinner and auction has been the best fund raiser for the band. This year it will be on May 9, 2015 from 5 to 10pm at the Nile Shriners Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace. You can follow us on our Facebook page or watch our website for ticket information.

To learn more about the Northwest Junior Pipe Band contact Sean or Jana Walker, Publicity,

206-855-9759