Al Kaly Pipe and Drum Corps

The Pipe and Drum Corp is the newest unit in Al Kaly. Well not exactly, as the end result will be to for the Pipers to join with the existing Drum Corp who are over 50 years old so we have the newest and one of the oldest units. So while the Drummers are learning the Celtic way of drumming, the Pipers (who are all new to piping) are training. The objective is to hit the street in March of 2008 for St. Patrick's Day.

We often hear "Oh, I couldn't learn to play the pipes as I have no musical experience!" Not a problem. Playing the pipes is different than any other instrument - there are only 9 notes! That means that once you learn the notes themselves and link that to the fingering, you have succeeded in the first quest to learn to play this beautiful instrument. Now you don't have to be a brain surgeon to realize that there is more to learning to play than I just described. In fact much more, but we are all doing it. There are at present 19 men learning the pipes.

We train on most Monday nights at the Colorado Springs Shrine Club. New players are scheduled to get "up to speed" so we can all learn together. Al you need to begin is a Chanter (which can be purchased at Celtic Mercantile in Colorado City from Brother Rick Martin) and a song book written by Sandy Jones (also available at Celtic Mercantile.)

The Pipe and Drum Corp is a unit of men who are quickly becoming a family.

Officers for 2008:
John Poole	Pipe Major	687-2209
Doug Veitch	Vice President	330-1395
David Bell	Treasurer	596-0437
Malcolm Lines	Quartermaster	495-0149

For more information call Tom Holmes