HISTORY

Founded in 1995 the Northwest Junior Pipe Band has seen remarkable change.

The NWJPB was founded by Charlie McNeill, a Scottish emigrant with a deep love for the bagpipes and for teaching kids. Starting a youth pipe band was a lifelong dream for Charlie and before he passed away he saw that dream realized. The Northwest Junior Pipe Band completed a very successful 1999 year, competing at several area highland games.

MacKenzie Tartan

The band wears the MacKenzie tartan (plaid). By chance, this happens to be the same tartan as the Highland Light Infantry where Charlie spent time as a military piper, and also the Seattle Pipe Band of which Charlie was the Pipe Major many years ago.

After the 1999 season, the Northwest Junior Pipe Band experienced a 'slump'. Many of the pipers and drummers had graduated from high school, effectively ageing out of the band, with several going away to college. Still others carried their piping and drumming to other area bands.

"It takes three years to build a band."

For the last few years, parents, instructors and kids have been working hard to build the band back up. The summer of 2004 saw the NWJPB back on the competition field for a very successful season in Grade 5. The band took home prizes every time they competed, sometimes against bands much older and more experienced.

Over the 2005 contest season the kids really hit their stride, taking first place in nearly every contest they entered! As a result of this success, the band was moved up to the Grade 4 division.

2006 -our first season in Grade 4 couldn't have been better. As the season progressed the band continued to improve, climbing the rankings to finish the summer with a solid standing.  In 2007, the band finished 4th overall of 18 bands who competed and introduced a new Grade 5 band who won every event they entered.  2008 was the best year yet for NWJPB Grade 4, with a 2nd place overall in Grade 4, and winning the Washington State Grade 4 Pipe Band Championships before heading to Scotland, ultimately placing 5th in the world.  See our results page for more information.

But competition isn't everything

Aside from competition, the band has truly matured as a musical ensemble, performing a wide variety of music, both traditional and contemporary - impressing audiences both small and large, from elementary schools and community parades to our annual gala concert.

The NWJPB organization itself is really making strides. We have grown from around 6 playing members to 50 members in August of 2007. Our volunteer base is bringing great experience and lots of energy to the group - helping us meet (and exceed) our financial and organizational goals.

This past few years we have seen a much wider age range becoming active in the band. This gives us a wonderfully diverse membership. Brothers and sisters are jumping in, involving entire families in the NWJPB.

We are very excited about the direction the NWJPB is headed and very proud of the band's two first place wins on an international stage at Perth and Crieff, Scotland, as well as third place in the qualifier and 5th in the world at the World Pipe Band Championships 2008, the highest placing youth band from North America.

Things are on a roll...

INSTRUCTORS

Kevin Auld - Band Director and Piping Instruction

Kevin began his piping career as a student at Shorecrest High School, where he has since returned to teach the piping program. Kevin played with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band for 14 years, serving as Pipe Sergeant as well as Pipe Major.

He is a full-time bagpipe instructor and plays with the Celtic music ensemble 'Piper's Creek'. www.seattlepiper.com


Steve Roy - Head Drumming Instructor

Steve has been a quiet but influential part of the pipe band scene in Seattle for many years. He began Scottish drumming with the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band, then played with the City of Seattle Grade 1 Pipe Band as a corps player as well as lead drummer. He attended Cornish College of the Arts, focusing on percussion performance.

Steve teaches several styles of drumming as well as playing in a latin jazz ensemble. You can contact Steve at (425) 775-3417 or www.steveroydrumming.com


Marcie MacRae - Tenor and Bass Drum

Marcie has been playing the tenor drum since she was 7, having been raised in one of the most active and influential piping families in the Northwest.

She has played both tenor and bass drum with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band as well as teaching private lessons and instructing local pipe bands.

You can contact Marcie at (206) 850-6822 or www.macraedrumming.com

In addition to these senior instructors, graduates and advanced members of the band also help instruct beginning players. This builds patience, teaches leadership and helps kids connect. All beginning instruction is overseen by the senior instructors.