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City of Washington Pipe Band - PipeBand, Washington DC, United States

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City of Washington Pipe Band

Washington, D.C. can thank the United States Air Force for its proud pipe band history.
Eager to distinguish itself from the older services, the Air Force set about recruiting some of the top pipers and drummers in the United States in the 1950s under Pipe Major Sandy Jones and Drum Sergeant John Bosworth. The U.S. Air Force Pipe Band quickly established an international reputation for itself in ceremonial duties at the White House, Arlington National Cemetary and other landmarks in the Nation’s Capital. All that was missing was a competition band. Since Air Force regulations prevented the band from showing its talent in the pipe band competition circuit, members of the band joined with local talent in the Washington area in 1961 to form a civilian Grade Two competition band, which they named Denny and Dunipace, after two towns in Scotland. Denny and Dunipace turned out that first season under Pipe Major Bill Logan and Drum Sergeant Walt Birtles wearing MacDonald of Clanranald and natty bowties and balmorals. In addition to veteran Air Force pipers like Logan and Jim Neary, the band was filled with younger pipers like Tim Carey, Ed Krintz, and Jerry Early, who would later go on to fame in the U.S., Canada and Scotland. In1970 Pipe Major Sandy Jones of the Air Force Band took over Denny and began a more deliberate effort to teach local pipers and drummers and to establish the band as a powerhouse in Grade Two in the early years of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA). In 1973 the band traveled to Scotland and developed a longstanding friendship with the townspeople of Denny and Dunipace and the members of their very successful bands. In 1975 the band underwent another change in leadership. Sandy Jones retired and Ed Krintz was named Pipe Major, with Tommy Kee as leader of a reconstituted drum corps. It was in the years that followed that the current leadership of the band came on to the scene as newest generation of vunderkids: Mike Green, Vic Frank, Chris Hamilton, Jon Quigg and Pete Vanderpoel. With this infusion of younger talent, Ed Kritnz led the band through several very successful seasons that saw the band win the Canadian Champion Supreme and North American and Canadian Grade Two Championships in 1976. During this time the band developed a reputation for playing innovative and original music, much of it composed or arranged by P/S Charlie Glendinning. Charlie led the band from 1978 to 1980 while Ed took a position teaching piping in Dunedin, Florida. Upon Ed’s return in 1980, the band recorded its first album with Tim Gladden as the new drum sergeant. In 1982 Tim Carey took over as pipe major. Harnessing a new chanter sound and a richer repertoire, Tim led the band to a string of victories in Grade Two in the EUSPBA. In 1985 the band won a sponsorship from a merchant in Annapolis, Maryland and turned out that season with new Black Stewart kilts and a new name: Scottish and Irish Imports Pipe Band. The band competed in Scotland under that name in 1985, and was upgraded to Grade 1 for the 1986 season. Charlie Glendinning led the band for the 1986 season, and Tim was back at the helm in 1987. The drum corps was under the leadership of Jon Quigg and Tommy Kee at various times. The band finished as EUSPBA Grade One champions several times for the remainder of the decade, and made respectable showings in Canada in Grade One. In 1989 the band recorded their second album, Tunes of Glory, which was released internationally by Lismor. Then in 1989 Tim led the band to Scotland for first place finishes in Grade Two in the Inverkeithing and Bridge of Allen Games. In a controversial move that next week, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association upgraded the band back to Grade One on the morning of the World Championships, and the band had to withdraw from the contest because it had not prepared the necessary repertoire. Reeling from the disappointment of the 1989 debacle at the Worlds and a shortage of personnel, the band was out of action for the 1990 season. In the fall of 1990, Mike Green returned from academic work in Japan and was named Pipe Major. Together with Drum Sergeant Jon Quigg he opened a new and highly successful chapter in the band’s history. After briefly competing in Grade One under its old name of Denny & Dunipace in 1991, the band was returned in 1992 to Grade Two as part of a EUSPBA realignment of grades to conform to international standards. The 1992 season ended with a major victory at Santa Rosa Games and a new solidity to the band’s ensemble. In 1993 the band continued to dominate EUSPBA Grade 2, and traveled to Scotland again. Since the Denny and Dunipace Pipe Band from Scotland would also be in the World Championships, the band decided to rename themselves as The City of Washington Pipe Band. The results in Scotland were disappointing, but the experience was important and the band built on what it learned to climb to the top of Grade Two international competition over the next few seasons. In 1994 the band fended off a strong challenge by the Lehigh Valley band to retain the championship title in EUSPBA and finished second in the North American Championship at Maxville, including first in piping. In addition, the City of Washington 'B' band was EUSPBA Grade Four Champions. In 1995 the band won the North American Championships in Grade Two, defeating the reigning Canadian champions. In 1996 the band returned to Scotland and took first place at Perth and Second in the World Championships the next week. It was also in 1996 that Icelandair began its generous sponsorship of the band, allowing regular trips back to Scotland so that the band could establish itself as an international competitor. In 1997 the band won all its domestic competitions in Grade Two and returned to Scotland for a somewhat disappointing fifth place finish out of 31 bands. In 1998 the band returned to Scotland and took second again in the World Championships, closing in on the prize. In that year the band also won the Grade One March Strathspey and Reel contest over Halifax Police at the Antigonish Games, showing potential to compete at a higher level. Then in 1999, the band did it – first place and World Champions in Grade Two. With the new millennium, the band geared up for the intense competitive environment of Grade One. A Second Place in the North American Championships at Maxville in 2000 showed that the band was indeed ready for the big league. That August the band took tenth at Cowal, making an early mark on the Grade One scene in Scotland. In 2001 the band made the finals in the World Championships and took 12th overall. Firmly ensconced now as a competitor in Grade One, the band embarked on a new project with Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout. Drawing on collaboration with Bonnie on the 1999 CD Scottish Rant, the band signed up for a concert series that included performances at major halls such as the Kennedy Center and the Michigan Arts Festival. These experiences have brought the band’s music to a whole new audience and a new level of professionalism to the band’s technique, even as the band has continued competing in Grade One in Canada and Scotland. Today the City of Washington Pipe Band proudly carries forward with the musical traditions of all its roots. These include the rudimentary drum and bugle percussion style of John Bosworth; the fiddle and folk traditions learned from Bonnie Rideout; and the original compositions of Charlie Glendinning. The band’s members also work with local bands like Guilford & District and Rockville High School to ensure that future generations of pipers and drummers keep these musical traditions strong. And like the U.S. Air Force Pipe Band a half-century ago, the City of Washington Pipe Band brings all the power and glory of the modern pipe band to the Nation’s Capital in performances ranging from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the Mall to the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

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