Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band
Encyclopedia
The Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band is a leading American
pipe band
from the suburbs of Chicago
. In their 36 years of existence, they have been successful in grades IV through I and currently play at Grade III after recently reorganizing.
and lead drummer Ian Swinton and Jim Sim, the goal of the organization was to create a home grown pipe band which would also be highly competitive on the world stage. By 1978 the new band had been promoted to grade III and the work of the band in teaching younger students was beginning to show as they entered the band. In 1981 the band won all 10 of the contests it entered and was promoted to Grade II. The band, which by now also fielded a grade IV band of junior players, traveled to Scotland
in 1983 with both bands and over 100 people for three weeks.
They competed in five competitions and were named the best overseas band at the World Pipe Band Championships
. In 1985 they were upgraded to Grade I, signifying that Ian and Jim had brought a band from Grade IV to Grade I in 10 years. The band went back down to Grade II in 1987 due to the loss of several players. In 2001 the band dropped down to Grade III, and merged with the Chicago Metropolitan Pipe Band under the leadership of Pipe Major Bob Boyle and Leading Drummer Marty Boyle. The band went back up to grade II one year later. Ian Swinton rejoined as pipe major in 2004, bringing new life back into the band. In 2005, Midlothian was the Midwest Pipe Band Association
Champion Supreme.
In 2006 and 2007 the band took second place at the North American Pipe Band Championships at the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario, Canada. The band also earned the Midwest Pipe Band Association
Champion Supreme awards for both 2006 and 2007.
In the Fall of 2011 the band reorganized under the direction of Pipe Major Evette Miller. The band will compete in Grade III competition for 2012.
The band has also earned the name "The best in the Midwest."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pipe band
Pipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term used by military pipe bands, pipes and drums, is also common....
from the suburbs of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. In their 36 years of existence, they have been successful in grades IV through I and currently play at Grade III after recently reorganizing.
History
Founded in 1975 by pipe majorPipe Major
The Pipe Major is the director of bagpipe music in a Scottish or Irish pipe band. Like Drum Major, the position of Pipe Major is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term Sergeant Piper was used for the role in place of "Pipe Major".Civillian and military...
and lead drummer Ian Swinton and Jim Sim, the goal of the organization was to create a home grown pipe band which would also be highly competitive on the world stage. By 1978 the new band had been promoted to grade III and the work of the band in teaching younger students was beginning to show as they entered the band. In 1981 the band won all 10 of the contests it entered and was promoted to Grade II. The band, which by now also fielded a grade IV band of junior players, traveled to Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1983 with both bands and over 100 people for three weeks.
They competed in five competitions and were named the best overseas band at the World Pipe Band Championships
World Pipe Band Championships
The World Pipe Band Championships is a pipe band competition currently held in Glasgow, Scotland every August. The event has been operating regularly since 1930, when the Scottish Pipe Band Association was formed...
. In 1985 they were upgraded to Grade I, signifying that Ian and Jim had brought a band from Grade IV to Grade I in 10 years. The band went back down to Grade II in 1987 due to the loss of several players. In 2001 the band dropped down to Grade III, and merged with the Chicago Metropolitan Pipe Band under the leadership of Pipe Major Bob Boyle and Leading Drummer Marty Boyle. The band went back up to grade II one year later. Ian Swinton rejoined as pipe major in 2004, bringing new life back into the band. In 2005, Midlothian was the Midwest Pipe Band Association
Midwest Pipe Band Association
The Midwest Pipe Band Association is an association of pipe bands in the Midwestern United States. Within its area of jurisdiction, the association includes over forty pipe bands, offers band, solo piping and drumming, and drum major competitions with sanctioned judges, and is responsible for...
Champion Supreme.
In 2006 and 2007 the band took second place at the North American Pipe Band Championships at the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario, Canada. The band also earned the Midwest Pipe Band Association
Midwest Pipe Band Association
The Midwest Pipe Band Association is an association of pipe bands in the Midwestern United States. Within its area of jurisdiction, the association includes over forty pipe bands, offers band, solo piping and drumming, and drum major competitions with sanctioned judges, and is responsible for...
Champion Supreme awards for both 2006 and 2007.
In the Fall of 2011 the band reorganized under the direction of Pipe Major Evette Miller. The band will compete in Grade III competition for 2012.
The band has also earned the name "The best in the Midwest."