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Upcoming competition - ages 8-18 - Location, Memphis
| The Goals | The Plan | The Organization | Other Area Bands |
This organization, is dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of pipers and drummers in the Memphis area. If you are interesting in piping and drumming, we will do what we can, to help you find an instructor and a "home", whether it is with us, or one of the other local bands. We of course hope, it is with us.
We differentiate ourselves by focusing on competition and winning in competition. Both on the individual and band level. this is not a parade band, it's not a primarily social club. There are other groups in the area for that, some of us are members of, and encourage membership in these other fine organizations; however, if you wish to excel in your playing, if you want to be surrounded by, encouraged by, challenged by and learn from the most aggressive, detail oriented, hard working, step up or step off pipers and drummers in the area.. you may have found a new home.
Even those who do not play, and are not looking to pick up an instrument, but want to be part of the team, we eagerly look forward to meeting you and building a support structure that will allow the players to go as far as possible.
Our primary focus is on creating the best possible sound from our instruments and our group. Every one of us will readily admit, that we are but students of the art, we seek out high level instruction and those who will challenge us in the pursuit of excellence. We seek to compete, and win, not solely for the prize, but for the sake of the music, the art, and to pass on a new tradition of piping at the highest caliber in the Midsouth.
We play Ceol Beag as well as Ceol Mor. We compete solo, mini-band and large band. Any non-competition performances are for the purposes of raising funds to further our goals, for the purpose of expanding the community of pipers and drummers in the area, and occasionally to support a worthy cause.
We care not what age, race, sex, religion, orientation, height, weight or country of origin you or your ancestors come from. Membership, or non-membership in any other band or organization has no bearing on our goals, and we personally encourage such affliations, so long as such membership does not interfere with the achievement of our goals. We have high expectations of ourselves, and of our members.
Dedication and consistency we hope will become our trademark.
So, if you focus, on what tartan will be worn -or- think a 1 hour band practice once a week, and maybe taking your pipes out of your case once or twice a week, is good enough. This band is not for you.
However, if the thought of two, practices a week, plus at least an hour a day by yourself is -normal-; If you start your practice, even on the pipes, with exercises; if it matters less what tune is played, than how well it's played; if you understand, that getting to, and playing at this level requires finding and making use of high level instruction, wherever it may be found, we may be for you.
We will train from scratch, but be forewarned, we expect from even our beginning students, the same dedication to perfection and work ethic demonstrated by our competing members.
Now for the kicker - This band, doesn't actually exist...... yet. Why? Because so far, there has not been enough people, who have been able to come together to form it. I hope to change that.
If this sounds interesting, contact me. We can begin with 4 pipers and 2 drummers, to compete in mini-bands. At such time as we can gather 5 pipers, 2 snares and 1 bass drum.. we can establish a sanctioned band of our own, and compete as such.
Do you accept the challenge?
David Corbett
901-233-2903
fireham@yahoo.com