Hamilton Caledonian Society Pipe Band A PROUD TRADITION. A guide for new band members

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1 Hamilton Caledonian Society Pipe Band A PROUD TRADITION A guide for new band members

2 Welcome from the Pipe Major I d like to welcome all new and returning pipers and drummers to the band. Our band was formed in 1925 and has a long and proud tradition. It has always been an active participant in regional and national pipe band competitions. Band members come from a wide range of ages and playing abilities. Our youngest members are under 10 and our oldest over 80. Because we cover such a wide age and ability range we usually have two bands. The Number One band is our top competing band while the Number Two band is less musically demanding while still giving its pipers and drummers the challenge of competing in regional and national competitions. This introductory booklet has been prepared for people who would like to join our band to give you an introduction as to what you might expect. Meleana Eade Pipe Major

3 How to join the band The Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band is an Incorporated Society constituted under the Incorporated Societies Act. Therefore in order to play in the band you need to become a Member. To become a member you need to be nominated and seconded by current band members and your nomination approved by the Executive Committee. This is normally a routine process. As a member you will be entitled to attend band practice nights, wear the band uniform, use band equipment and join in all the activities of the Hamilton Caledonian Society and the band. It also means that you will be able to play in Pipe Band competitions if selected as only members are also members of the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands Association. Subscription Members of the Hamilton Caledonian Society Pipe Band are required to pay an annual Membership Subscription. The subscription is currently set at $140 a year. The subscription goes towards the costs of running the band, competition costs and capitation fees paid to the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands Association. Membership for those under 18 or who are unwaged is normally 50% of the full membership fee and a family membership option is available. Membership will lapse if subscriptions are not paid by the due date. Non-members may not participate in the activities of the band.

4 Key people in the band The Band has a number of executive officers who are appointed by the Members at the Annual General Meeting. Chief amongst those is the Pipe Major effectively the CEO of the band. The Pipe Major is normally the Pipe Major of the Number One band. The Pipe Major is in overall charge of all players and bands although he or she may choose to delegate responsibilities to other members. The Pipe Major usually will appoint a Pipe Sergeant for the Number One band. The Number Two band s Pipe Major is also appointed by the Pipe Major. The Drum Sergeant is the leader of the drum corps. The Drum Sargent would normally appoint a Drum Sargent of the Number 2 band. The Pipe Major and Drum Sergeant are members of the Band Executive along with the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Custodian. Other Members are co-opted onto the committee as required. The Drum Major is in charge of the drill when the band is on parade.

5 Practice Nights The band normally has two practice nights a week. Monday night is practice night for the Number Two band. The practice session starts at 7.00pm and usually finishes around 9.00pm. For the first hour or so pipers and drummers practice separately. Learner pipers and drummers are introduced to band tunes and join in chanter practice for the pipers or pad practice for the drummers. For the second hour the pipes and drums come out for a full band practice. Wednesday is practice night for the Number One band. The Number 1 band is the Society s senior competing band. Unless otherwise advised, practices are held in the Caledonian Society Hall, 12 High Street, Frankton. Attendance As a playing member of the band you are expected to attend the appropriate band practice regularly and punctually. Experienced pipers and drummers are expected to assist with tutoring learners on Monday nights. If you know in advance that you are going to be absent from practice you are expected to advise your Pipe Major or Drum Sargent that you will not be attending practice on those days. If your absence is sudden or unexpected please try to let your Pipe Major or Drum Sargeant know that you will not be attending before the practice if possible. If you have not attended practice for four weeks or more you will not be entitled to play in the band at any public performance or parade without the permission of the Pipe Major or Drum Sergeant. If the absence is prolonged then the band Committee, in consultation with the Pipe Major or Drum Sergeant, may request that you return your uniform and any other items of band equipment you may have so they can be allocated to other band members.

6 Instruments & Uniforms The band owns and supplies drummers with side drums, tenor drums, bass drum, sticks and drum harnesses. Pipers are expected to supply their own practice chanters and set of bagpipes. The band will normally supply pipe chanters and pipe chanter reeds to players in competing bands. The band will also supply bag covers and ribbons. Pipers are expected to supply their own practice chanter reeds, drone reeds and other accessories such as drying system. The band supplies members with some elements of the uniform, while members are expected to supply the remaining components. Our uniform from the feet up is: Uniform wearables Supplied by the band Supplied by the member Gillie brogues (shoes) Black hose as prescribed from time to time Flashes Kilt Waistbelt Sporran White shirt as prescribed from time to time Band tie Argyll Waistcoat Argyll Jacket Glengarry & Badge Raincoat Inverness cape Bag cover (pipes) Drone Cords Care of band items The band member is wholly responsible for the care of the uniform supplied to them. You will be expected to look after any items issued to you. You will be responsible for any damage to any items which have been issued to you. Items which have been issued must be returned to the band in good condition if the Member leaves or is expelled. The band s items belong to the band. You may not wear the uniform or use band instruments other than for band functions without the express permission of the Pipe Major, Drum Sergeant or Chairman. This is usually not withheld if the uniform is being worn for a special event.

7 On Parade The band has a number of engagements each year, both public appearances and competitions. It is expected that each playing member will be available for most if not all of the playing engagements. That is what being in a band is all about. These engagements are notified as far in advance as possible both in newsletters and in the band hall. It is the band member s responsibility to present themselves on parade correctly dressed. A full outline of our band s dress code is available on our website or just ask one of the Committee members to help. The band is on parade whenever it called on parade by the Pipe Major. Usually there is plenty of notice provided. For competitions the bands may operate as two separate entities with the Pipe Major of each band responsible for setting times for the band to muster. For community or other ocasions the band may operate as one band and, once again, the Pipe Major or their nominee will make the necessary notifications. Expectations These engagements are when the whole band must be at its best. When you turn out with the band on a public engagement you are expected to turn out on time, properly dressed in band uniform and with your instrument in top condition and ready to play. Punctuality is essential so that the instruments can be properly tuned and the Pipe Major can determine the shape of the band well before stepping off. If you are late you may miss vital instructions about the parade. So if there is anything you are not sure of or any issue with your uniform or instrument make sure you ask somebody about it well before you turn up for a parade. We are all happy to help.

8 Pipe Band Competitions The band enters a number of competitions each year. This includes both the Number One and Number Two bands who compete separately. Regular competitions include those in Hamilton, Auckland, Palmerston North, Paeroa and Rotorua. The culmination of the competition season is the National Pipe Bands Competition which alternates between North and South Island venues each year. Pipers and drummers have been practicing throughout the year for these competitions. However it is by no means the case that, in order to join the band, a player must want to compete. A member can choose whether or not they want to compete. Likewise it is by no means certain that all pipers who want to compete will be selected to play in a competition. Any player who is selected for the Number One band will be assumed to want to play in that season s competitions. Ultimately the choice of players for a band in any competition belongs to the Pipe Major who has sole discretion as to whether or not a member plays in any competition. If, in the opinion of the Pipe Major, a player is not playing to the standard required or their instrument is not reliable enough then the member will not be allowed to compete. Travelling & Expenses Parades, competitions and play-outs often require travelling out of town - sometimes overnight accommodation. Generally the costs of travel and accommodation are at the expense of the member. However, members often car pool and share accommodation to keep their costs down. The band usually arranges accommodation so that we all stay at the same location. Hardship support The Band committee is prepared to consider applications from parents of junior members and from members for financial support. Applications should be made to The Secretary to be received no later than 30 September.

9 Junior Development The development of younger pipers and drummers is a priority for the band as it is for the pipe band movement as a whole. Special youth development camps are arranged at a regional level and there is a national Youth Pipe Band which a number of our younger members are involved in. Learning to play the bagpipes If you think you want to learn to play the bagpipes then the band recommends you start out with private tuition. That way you can get individual attention and learn at the appropriate speed for you. The current Pipe Major of the Hamilton Caledonian Society, Meleana Eade, has a tutoring academy in conjunction with her husband, Brendon Eade one of the country s senior piping judges and a regular and successful competitor at piping competitions. You will need to purchase a practice chanter and reed and attend one hourlong tutoring session per week. Once you have mastered the scales and techniques required to play a tune, you will begin to learn tunes on the chanter. When you are able to play six or so tunes on the chanter you may be ready to join the band. At this stage you will be ready to progress to the bagpipes themselves. Learning to play the drums The drums are a very important element of any pipe band. They provide the cadence and rhythm to the tunes. Most drummers learn the snare or side drum with its precise driving beats. Others may want to learn the tenor drum with their varied tones and beats along with the showmanship of the stick flourishing. Once again basic skills tuition may be given privately until you are ready to learn the beatings to tunes in the band. At that stage you will be ready to join in the band s practice sessions.

10 Conclusion Whenever and wherever they play, pipe bands capture people s attention, stirring the blood like no other music can. Pipe Banding is a wonderful opportunity for people, young and old, to create that music and the feeling that goes with it. The challenge of improving your playing ability as a piper or drummer is always there; the camaraderie of playing in a band; the thrill of being part of a spectacle or show there is always enjoyment in the pipe band movement. Many young players get the opportunity to travel throughout New Zealand and abroad to play in different bands. If you, or any of your family, think you ve got what it takes then don t hesitate to contact us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Meleana Eade: Ph: or bjeade@xtra.co.nz