Welcome

	Search	Site Map	Home

Thank you for expressing an interest in the Pipes and Drum Corps.

Students of the Pipes or Drums can be playing an instrument within 4-6 months if they practice 15 minutes a day.

We will field a band by spring, and compete locally by next summer. Some of the locations that are likely candidates for competition are Chicago, Ft Wayne, Alma Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada. If you live locally (in the Midwest), you can compete with us in the summers, and remain a member of the band after graduation.

If you do not live locally you will probably want to find a band in the vicinity of your residence after graduation, but you will always be welcome as an alumni to play with this band (even on visits).

This is currently the only entity at Culver where cadets, girls academy students, faculty and staff and their families, the community members, and alumni can join together in a marching unit.

If you do not find yourself musically inclined, you can march with the Highland Guard, a kilted drill team. They will at different times for different occasions carry flags, swords, rifles, etc, and may play an important role in the Drumming Fanfare. They can accompany the band to competitions and performances, add decoration to a parade, have British style decorum and deportment, and escort the Pipes and Drums to the competition Line. So if you love the look of British Military, and don't think you have musical interest, there is still a way for you to participate.

Culver Pipes & Drums provide opportunities for band members to work with some of the finest players worldwide, on campus as well as attending workshops and seminars throughout the Midwest.

It is our experience that students of Highland Military Instruments are NEVER sorry they learned to play. It is something you will use the rest of your lives. It is very showy and opens many doors and opportunities. There are College scholarships all over the US, Canada, and the British Isles for students that already play Pipes and Drums. Pipe and Drum Corps traditionally travel all over the United States, Canada, and the world performing.

As the band successfully completes competition seasons in the Midwest Bagpipe Association, it is our goal to take this band to Scotland to the World Pipeband Championships. If you have already graduated you will not be excluded. The band will then attend these championships every 3-4 years thereafter.

Student positions of Pipe Major, Pipe Sergeant, Pipe Corporal, Drum Sergeant, and Drum Corporal are utilized to parallel the adult positions to provide leadership opportunities. A Drum Major will also be integral to the overall group deportment of both the band and the drill team.

Lessons are free. The band that exists here at Culver is a not-for-profit organization whose adult members are committed to the mission statement of training others in the Celtic Arts.

Drummers will need a pair of their own sticks, and a practice pad. These can be purchased from the band at cost (about $65 for both). Drums are traditionally owned by the band, however, once you have graduated, you will need to buy your own drum if you intend to continue as an adult member in the band. When you come to practice, sticks and practice pads will be issued to you at practice, and can be sold back to the band if for some reason you choose not to continue.

Pipers will need a practice chanter. These can be purchased from the band at cost. (about $65). The band uses Gibson Regular Polypenco practice chanters. It is important to use the same chanters for unison practice so that the ear can be accustomed to proper tones. There are many cheaper rosewood versions out there, but the matched band chanter is highly recommended for serious students. One will be issued to new students at practice, and can be sold back to the band if for some reason you choose not to continue. (Any other brand of Polypenco chanter is probably fine if you already own one, bring it to practice). Pipes are traditionally owned by the piper, and as with the practice chanter, there are many types of pipes being manufactured. Any Scottish well-made set of pipes will do. Please do not buy Pakistani-made bagpipes and expect them to tune with a Scottish set of Bagpipes. They are tempting because the cost is less than half that of a real set of pipes, but they truly are to be considered decorations or toys at best, and should not be purchased if you plan on playing bagpipes seriously. Bagpipes are an investment of $800-$1200 for a new set of well-made pipes. Do not let money discourage you from learning how to play pipes. There are ways for the not-for-profit organization to raise money for pipes for students to borrow until they can afford their own pipes. It is also possible to find good used sets of pipes in the $500-$600 range.

If Wednesdays & Sundays are not good for you, contact Mr. Van Norman for alternative times for lessons.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesdays between 5:30-7:30 & Sundays from 3:00-5:00.