Quick March

Figure I’d post here in case someone says “I didn’t get the email”

8:00 PM at Practice Monday night, on September 15th, we need to have a General Briefing of the entire SALPD body, to cover events, uniform checks, corporate sponsorships, and other things pertinent for the Fall season. Nothing bad, no complaints, just information everyone needs to know and have. Just a touch of good news…. we’re purchasing at least 8 more doublets and another bolt of tartan this coming week. Can we say growth? The Emerald Firefighter group plans to have some of their people outfitted by Richmond Games too.

I want to also take this time and thank Doug Elder for the fabulous job he’s doing on our website and also congratulate him on managing yet, another website in the Celtic Community. Doug does splendidly at getting out the information and keeping on top of things, including reminding the President he’s getting old and forgetful.

Tom Shuff is also to be commended for his role as Pipe Sergeant and guiding the Pipers in the lead class. Then there’s the quiet giant we keep down in the dungeons teaching beginning Legion students, while I’m working with the firefighters, Robin Hale-Cooper. Thank you gentlemen! Proper Instructors make for Proper Pipers! We can’t foget those drummers either, and Keith and Chet are a blessing.

Keep Jim Livingstone of Henrico PD and Greater Richmond Pipes & Drums in your prayers. He lost his dad last week to cancer,  and also to my friend down at Tidewater, Chris Parker who passed away yesterday from heart failure.

Thank you, Tim Batten, President and Pipe Major SALPD

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OK gang, with Ross having their internal problems on production and filling orders in a timely fashion, we are experimenting among three pipers within the ranks and testing other makes. Currently, we’re experimenting with two other makes, Apps G4 and Warnock. We’ll let you know our findings once we’ve found out between the two, what works best.

Keep your current reeds for now, but do plan to make the switch once we have determined what new reed we will settle with. I will personally miss the Ross and soon enough, we’ll be back on track as we were earlier this year when we were playing on all matching reed/chanter set ups.

Tips for the weak reed: If a reed you’re playing on gets too easy, but is still plying true (not gurgling, double toning, etc) don’t throw it away! Pass it down to someone who plays easy strengths. If a reed is just too hard, same principle, pass it up to a harder blower. Also remember, shaving Shoulder Cut reeds, greatly shortens the lifespan of a reed. Sanding is a different story. It’s the “box” that should be altered, not the blades. Hook up with Robin and Faye for their new little trick they learned at camp.

Another tip is if you have a personal solo chanter and it’s set up, use that at home for practice, rather than the band chanter and its’ set up. That way your band chanter and reed will have a longer life.( Thanks to Christopher Fox)

Don’t soak a reed too too too tooo long!!! Too much moisture constantly soaking cane will make the material change to were once it begins to dry out, the cane cracks, or you’ll find the reeds actually becomes harder to blow and/or seizes up.

Buy a Pipers Pal! These containers regulate moisture and climate for the reed when not in use. They even make them as Chanter cap-covers so you don’t have to take the currently used reed out of its’ seating.

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New 7N Album Time as the Enemy

September 17th a pretty innocuous date but did you know that’s it’s also the official half way mark to St. Patrick’s Day? Do you know what you’ll be doing on September 17th? What if I told you Dublin’s is getting ready for a good old fashioned Celtic thrown down. What if 9/17/08 also marked the return of Seven Nations to Dublin’s? Still don’t know what you’d be doing? What if I told you Seven Nations now has a new album out “Time as the Enemy”? What if your favorite pipe band and mine were to be opening for Seven Nations? That’s right you’ll be at Dublin’s to mark the official half way to St. Patrick’s Day party. I don’t want to spoil things but let’s just say Dublin’s has A LOT more in store for the 17th and it should be a great time. (I’m thinking I may need to take the 18th off) It’s always a good time when the lads from 7N roll around so make plans now to be there. Stay tuned to the blog as well as Seven Nations site and Dublin’s for more information and announcements. Mark it down and come to Dublin’s and like the sign in the pub says plan to “Raise your Irish”

www.myspace.com/sevennations or www.sevennations.com

www.myspace.com/dublinsirishpub

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OK Folks! Here’s the big bang you all have been patiently waiting for me to go public with. Some of you have heard rumors and guess what, it’s true! After several days of working with Celtic Force Enterprises and Mr. Clyde Childress on behalf of the Families of the Wounded Fund, one more big surprise has been added to the list of entertainment and attractions for the big July 4th Event:

When: July 4th 1:00pm
Where: at Vista del Lago 1960 Old Tavern Road Powhatan, Virginia
What: A symphony orchestra and choir will perform a two hour patriotic concert plus the St. Andrews Legion of Pipes and Drums and just added Albannach!!!

Among the selections are America the Beautiful, God Bless America, Stars and Stripes Forever, the 1812 Overture, Selections for all the US Armed Forces and many more as you have never heard them before.

This event will run from 1-5 pm. It is picnic style so bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Food concessions are available. We are expecting a large crowd so come early to find a good spot on the lawn. Formal flag raising, static displays, a 5k run/walk will take place at 9:00 am. Runners can register online at www.RRRC.org. For more information on the run call Kevin O’Conner at (804) 378-6268. A military flyover will begin the concert at 1:30 pm. Following the concert there will be an aerial demonstration by a World War II P-51 Mustang then a stirring performance by the St. Andrews Legion of Bagpipes and Drums and Albannach.

Along with the United States Marine Corps color guard, military fly overs, the Symphony Orchestra and Choir, and the St. Andrew’s Legion Pipes & Drums will be wailing awa’ and performing along with the most popular, fastest celtic tribal tidal wave to hit American shores… ALBANNACH!!! and author/ historian Sir David Robertson Ross

St. Andrew’s Legion will provide the more modern regimental style of Piping and Drumming, while Albannach brings forth, that celtic heartbeat that pounds so deep in our ancient past. Sir David Robertson Ross will captivate you with his brilliant mind and accounts of not only how Scotland struggled for her own freedom throughout 700 years, but inspired our American for-fathers, many of them of Scots blood themselves, to fight and win our own Independence. From the Declaration of Arbroath , to our own Declaration of Independence and beyond, Liberty is something that never can be taken for granted, nor can we afford ever not to celebrate it.

This event is a celebration of our Freedom, and what better way to celebrate our freedom, than to honor those who have served this great nation and paid heavy prices on the battlefield, in the air, and on the sea. We all are deeply moved when our brave men and women have placed themselves on the front lines, but often, we forget that when the brave people return home, there are families waiting for them. Families, who despite the governments efforts to provide health benefits and offset expenses, just can’t cover everything. Often these families sacrifice their own jobs and finances to take care of their wounded heroes. All money raised at this event goes to the FAMILIES OF THE WOUNDED FUND. The event will be a family oriented mass picnic event for all to enjoy the sights and sound of the entertainers coming. Please come, and spread the word. This event is free of admission and alcohol free.

For more information, please go to the following links:

Families of the Wounded Fund
Albannach Music
David R. Ross
St. Andrew’s Legion

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For those who couldn’t attend the Virginia Fallen Firefighters event and who missed the trophy presentation on Monday evening. Here are some photos of the trophy and images of the coins that all members who participated received. I have been thoroughly impress with the coins. (oooo shiny bright) After discussing them with on of the Emerald society pipers I found out they are called challenge coins and have a military origin. A few of our members that are former military still carry their coins with them for reasons I’ll save for a newsletter article. Now with out any further ado here are the photos:

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