The University of Mary Washington Eagle Pipe Band placed first among seven bands in the pipe band competition at the Meadows Highland Games and Celtic Festival in Doswell, Va. The October event concluded the band’s 2010 competition season.
On Saturday, November 20 at 7 p.m., the band will perform a fall concert in conjunction with the Fredericksburg Community Concert Band. The performance will premiere a piece written for concert band and pipe band for this performance by UMW Professor of Music David J. Long based on a bagpipe tune, “Donald Ross of Vancouver.” The concert will be held in George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium and is free and open to the public.
The band was a top contender in pipe band competitions across the East Coast this year, winning first place at the Celtic Festival of Southern Maryland, second place at the Colonial Highland Gathering in Maryland and at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival in Virginia, and third place at the Virginia Scottish Games and at the Rockland County Feis Games in New York.
The Eagle Pipe Band was founded in 1996 under the direction of Raymond Scott, professor of chemistry. The band is made up of UMW students, alumni and community members who perform for university and local events. The musical repertoire includes original tunes and dances in addition to more traditional selections. Practices are held weekly on Sunday afternoons and membership is based on audition.
The band funds scholarships for qualified pipers, drummers and dancers who attend UMW. For more information, contact Scott at (540) 654-1409 or visit www.umw.edu/pipeband.