Introduction to North Berwick Pipe Band

Transcription

1 HANDBOOK

2 Introduction to North Berwick Pipe Band Who We Are North Berwick Pipe Band (NBPB) is a group of musicians and friends who meet to play and enjoy Scottish Pipe and Drum music and to promote Scottish culture. The current incarnation of NBPB was founded in 1957 from the remnants of the Rover Scout band. There is mention of a pipe band in North Berwick from as far back as 1899 but this current band is the longest continuous existence. From the outset the object of the band has been to promote piping and drumming in North Berwick and the surrounding district. At one point it was the sole pipe band in East Lothian. Although primarily noncompetitive, the Band strives to improve and maintain its performance standard through group and individual tuition, workshops and other strategies. Non-playing members play an important role by assisting in the day to day management of the Band s affairs, including raising funds for various projects such as the purchase of uniform items, instruments and other equipment. NBPB encourages participation from primary school-aged juniors to greatgrandparents. Age is no barrier. The band is dependant upon the young musicians to bring life to the band but also upon the more mature player to provide continuity and support. The NBPB performance calendar has continued to grow over the years and is regularly asked to play for numerous community functions, sporting events, weddings, funerals and other private functions. Rehearsals Rehearsals are currently held on Wednesday evenings at St Andrew Blackadder Church Hall, St Andrew Street, North Berwick. Learner pipers and drummers begin at 6.30pm and 7.00pm respectively and band players meet for general practice about 7:30pm. The Band will generally finish about 9.00pm. There are also after school classes in piping and drumming at the Law Primary School, North Berwick on Thursday afternoons between 3.30 and 4.30pm. As it implies this is generally aimed at school children in P5 to P7. Page 2 of 2

3 Learning and Induction Learners of the Great Highland Bagpipe, Snare Drum, Tenor Drum or Bass Drum are encouraged to attend rehearsals and be tutored. To become an inducted member of the Band and be available for selection at various performances, you will have gained the required proficiency in your chosen instrument and have been assessed in your musical competency by either the Pipe Major (Bagpipes) or the Drum Sergeant (Snare / Tenor / Bass). No age restrictions apply for induction to the Band. Subscription Annual membership in the Band is currently 100 for a single, 125 for a family or 50 for concessions. This membership subscription is levied to cover, but is not limited to tuition, venue hire, insurance, uniform and instrument maintenance and other administration costs. In addition, should the piper choose not to purchase their own bagpipes, there is an annual charge of 50 for the use of bagpipes belonging to the band. Band Events The Band hosts a range of events such as coffee mornings, bingo evenings, dinners and other social events. During July and August we also have concerts in the Lodge Grounds in North Berwick and these are especially important to the Band as they provide the opportunity for up and coming pipers and drummers to strut their stuff. Band Tartan The Band wear the Mackenzie Seaforth tartan. This tartan was chosen following a donation from Red Hackle whisky. The reason for choosing this tartan was that one of the founder members of the band and a former Pipe Major of the Scout band was Captain Donald Ross MacLennan. D.R. was one time Pipe Major of the 3rd Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, and winner of the Gold Medals for piping at Oban and Inverness in The Seaforth part of the tartan name comes from the fact that the pleating of the kilts is in the same style as that worn by the Seaforth Highlanders. i.e. the pleating matches the white vertical lines rather than the check of the tartan. Mackenzie Seaforth Page 3 of 3

4 Band Crest In 1974 the Band was given permission by the Town Council to wear the Burgh Coat-of-Arms. This shows a ferryboat, representing the principal activity of the town in the middle ages, when Christian pilgrims sailed from North Berwick to Earlsferry in Fife on their way to worship the relics at St. Andrews. The cap badges were presented by the then Provost John B Macnair at a ceremony in North Berwick in May In 2017 the band decided to adopt a less formal crest to make printing and embroidery on ties and merchandising easier. This new crest highlights the Bass Rock which is synonimous with North Berwick. Coat-of-Arms Bass Rock Uniform and Equipment Playing members of the band are issued with the following items of uniform, equipment and instruments: 1 x Black Glengarry with black rosette 1 x Cap Badge (North Berwick Coat-of-Arms) 1 x Black Argyle Jacket 1 x Black Waistcoat 1 x Kilt (Mackenzie Seaforth) 1 x Blue Tie (Bass Rock Crest) 1 x Black Leather Waist Belt with chrome buckle 1 x Black Leather Sporran Chrome Cantle and Chain 1 x Kilt Pin MacLellan 1 x pair Dark Blue Hose 1 x Red Garters with Flashes 1 x Black Inverness Waterproof Cape and Pouch Pipers only: 1 x Set of Bagpipes 1 x Matched Pipe Chanter 1 x Gortex Pipe Bag 1 x Velvet Cover 1 x set of Pipe Cords 1 x Pipe Box Page 4 of 4

5 Drummers only: 1 x Drum 1 x Drum Case 1 x Drum Harness 1 x Cross Belt (Tenor drum only) 1 x pair Drum Sticks / Beaters Sash (Pipe Major/Drum Major only) Pipe Banner (Pipe Major only) Mace (Drum Major only) The following items are not provided by the band but will require to be worn unless otherwise stated: Light Blue Shirt (These can be supplied through the band to ensure consistency of colour) Sgian Dubh (Optional) Gillie Brogues (Preferable, but black shoes will be accepted) Pipe & Drum Majors may wear appropriate ceremonial sashes and any additional items that distinguish them from the remainder of the Band. The Pipe Major will also possess an embroidered banner for placement upon the bass drone for ceremonial occasions. The Drum Major is issued with white gloves / gauntlet. Standard Dress Requirements The required uniform for each performance will be intimated to playing members prior to the event. By default normal dress will be full uniform and members will be informed before any event if a less formal dress code is to be adopted. Care, Maintenance and Wearing of Uniforms Check the Dress and Deportment Manual for full details on how to care, maintain and wear your uniform. General Maintenance of Equipment Pipers: All pipers will be responsible for their own care and maintenance of their instrument. However in order to maximise playing time, pipers are to ensure that their GHB is maintained to a high standard, including regular cleaning, oiling, hemping and ensuring air tightness of the bag. Many Band members have plenty of experience in these areas and are willing to provide assistance or information regarding these issues. All Pipers will use the Pipe Chanter and pipe reeds as issued by the Pipe Major on behalf of the Band. Tuning and modification of these reeds is only to be conducted by the Pipe Major or a person delegated or appointed by them. Drone reeds are also issued by the Pipe Major. Page 5 of 5

6 Drummers: Drummers have a particular responsibility for the safe, secure and appropriate storage and care of drums issued to them. These instruments represent a major investment by the Band and their appearance and usable life needs to be extended as long as possible. Care should be taken to store drums in their cases and to ensure that they are handled carefully. It is not appropriate to store drums in direct sunlight or in the car boot between performances. They should be kept in a cool, clean, dry place. It remains the responsibility of the individual drummers to ensure that the instruments issued to them are held in a secure environment. This remains extant for storage at home, at practice and all performances. Any loss or damage arising as a result of negligence in this area will become the liability of the member. Uniform: Kilts, jackets and other items of uniform and equipment also represent a major investment. Each playing member is issued in excess of 1,000 of uniform. Therefore, it is important that all items of uniform are properly maintained and handled in a manner that will preserve and prolong their appearance and usable life. When not in use, kilts, jackets and sporrans should be stored in an environment to prevent damage. If these items are showing wear and tear, or need any form of repair, they should be returned to the Quartermaster as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration. Kilts, jackets and waistcoats need to be dry cleaned at least once a year; glengarries are worn all year round and need to be dry cleaned more regularly in order to extend their life. Issuing Uniform and Equipment All members issued with uniform and /or equipment will be required to sign an inventory receipt to confirm what has been issued to them. When the uniform is returned to the Quartermaster the member should obtain a discharge of said receipt. The underlying principle is that all items of uniform and equipment should be returned to the Quartermaster in a ready for re-issue or wear condition. No member is to swap items of uniform with other members without notifying the QM, so that appropriate paperwork can be completed. This is because the individual person to whom an item is issued is responsible for that item and its ultimate return to the Band if and when required. If the person cannot return the item they may be required pay for it. Page 6 of 6

7 Lost / Stolen Items General Dress and Bearing If items of equipment or uniform issued to an inducted member become lost or are stolen, the following is to occur as soon as it is apparent the item is lost or stolen; Inform the Quartermaster, Pipe Major or Leading Drummer. If the item has been stolen report the matter to the Police and obtain a case reference number. This is necessary for the Band to lodge an insurance claim. After obtaining the case reference number, and as soon as possible after the incident, write a short letter or minute (preferably no more than one A4 page) addressed to the President, North Berwick Pipe Band explaining the circumstances surrounding the loss or theft of the item, and including the reference number obtained from the Police. Consistent with the goal of being East Lothian s premier Pipe Band, and in keeping with uniform and equipment maintenance requirements, it is expected that the general turnout of playing members will be of a high standard. Therefore, playing members will be expected to take pride in their uniform and general appearance at all times by ensuring the following: Jackets and kilts are brushed and pressed before each performance; Shirts are well ironed as instructed and should be replaced if subject to fair wear and tear and/or have discoloured with age; Shoes, belts and harnesses are inspected and cleaned as appropriate. Shoes should be polished between performances and when attending more than one performance on any given day; Pipes and drums are maintained, cleaned and polished as necessary; General personal presentation is neat and tidy. Members have a particular responsibility when dressed in uniform to at all times behave in a manner consistent with the Band s Code of Conduct. As members of NBPB, we are registered with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). Members should also refer and adhere to the Band s Safeguarding Policy. A link for this can be located in the member s area of the Bands website The Drum Major (when on parade) has overall responsibility for ensuring playing members are appropriately turned out at all performances, however on a day-to-day basis it remains the responsibility of all rank holders to ensure a high standard is maintained. This includes providing assistance to inexperienced members and offering advice about the proper care, maintenance and wearing of uniform and equipment. Standard Documentation / Page 7 of 7

8 Standard Documentation Links to all of the Band s Standard Documentation can be located in the member s area of the Bands website This documentation comprises: The Band Constitution and By-laws Code of Conduct Dress and Deportment Safeguarding Policy Health and Safety Policy Data Protection Policy Equalities and Diversity Policy Uniform and Equipment Inventory Receipt Parental Consent Forms There are also Guidance documents relating to: Dress & Deportment Insurance and Travel requirements Solo Playing Reasons to Play Individual and Band Drill Page 8 of 8