Pipe and Drum Corps

by Tallon T. ‘30 and Addy F. ‘30

Where did the inspiration come for Berkeley to form a Pipe and Drum musical program?

In history, there are early examples of bagpipes in many regions of the world. However, the Scottish Highlands tradition of the bagpipes became the most common musical association with bagpipes played today. Since our school was named after an Irish Bishop, George Berkeley and our Episcopal traditions, this type of musical program is a natural fit. Additionally, Dunedin High School came over to perform for us. Our students were interested because not many schools have a piping elective, so we started a club, and the students enjoyed it. One of the original four students of the program was Dax Nelson, and his daughter and son are both in piping now. 

How did the program grow?

 The following year, the original four pipers were the first pipe and drum corps to perform off campus. The first thing they did was the Veteran’s Day Parade here around the corner on Hanley Boulevard. At the time, they wore a uniform, a Glen Gary hat, and a shoulder pad. They were very motivated, enthusiastic kids and just ran with it. By the end of the year, they were playing in full uniform on stage at Walt Disney World, so it just took off that quickly based on the students that were involved. 

What is your connection to the bagpipes and pipe and drum corps?

I grew up in Dunedin. Dunedin is a Scottish-settled town whose name comes from a combination of Dundee and Enbrel and the sister School of Sterling. An interesting thing happened in 2010. Dunedin Middle School has huge tartans, and they have for all the families that settled in Dunedin to recognize this school. For one year now, our Tartan has also been hanging up there with a plaque underneath.

What is your favorite thing about teaching students about this unique instrument?

 My favorite thing about teaching that kind of instrument, you know, is that it’s quite different. What I like is when I get to take the kids off campus to perform. The reaction off campus is hard to describe. As soon as they walk off the bus, they catch people's eyes just because of the way they are dressed and what they're carrying because it's very rare to see students playing bagpipes. So we do two performances every year that the kids always look forward to. First, we get invited back every year to Universal Studios. Universal usually won't allow a band under forty people, but they make the exception for this group, and the kids get many positive reactions in the holiday parade every year. So it's a great break for the students, as exams are over. Since 1998, they have been playing in Boston’s St. Patrick's Day Parade, and we've been going up every year. That parade has a crowd of up to a million people, and the people in the office in South Boston are so gracious and kind, always thanking us as we march. 

What are some of your favorite performances?

 My favorite performance that comes to mind is in 2010 when we joined pipers from around the world to perform on the aircraft carrier Intrepid, which is parked in New York Harbor. So many pipers came, and we all played together. Not only did my current students play, but alums in the area also joined us. That was a pretty great trip, and the kids did an impromptu performance in Times Square; they just stopped, and people wanted to hear them play, so they did. 

My second favorite is the Dunedin program which helped us along the way, lending us instruments and supplies. So when their middle division director retired five years ago, they ended their show on Scotland the Brave and wanted us to join them. Our Pipers were going into exams, so they were not required to go, but they volunteered to join the middle school band in playing Scotland the Brave. So these kids had to give up four or five hours of their night to get dressed to travel to sit and listen to a middle school band. Every student volunteered to give up their time to play at the retirement concert for that director. 

Mr. Seivold gave him a plaque for all his help during the years, and we got so many people who were so touched that we would send our pipers over there to recognize him at his final concert. It was a very moving night. We saw our tartan on the wall among all the others. I’m very proud of my kids for giving their time to someone they didn't know at all because he helped our program. It shows the passion and gratitude our piping students have for the program.