The Highlander The quarterly publication of the Pikes Peak Highlanders Pipes and Drums Inc.

Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Date: 3rd Quarter 2016

Breaking News! We’re back into Print!

 Highlanders Place 3rd at the We’re Back! Yes, after a long band executives as well as a short Colorado Irish Festival “hiatus” (hmmm... that word has column that introduces you to both to be Gaelic!) the band news- a new and senior band member.  Band says “Farewell”, to one letter is back in publication. Look for this in your email box each of our RCAF Members — Phil D. takes a Director of The purpose of the newsletter quarter. If you have an interesting Operations (DO) position is to provide a quick update on article please forward to the Band back in Canada! Brother, band happenings and serve as President for review. you will be missed! another tool to foster commu- nication and to keep band mem- “Tapha Leat”, (Thank you) from the  Band is prepping for the bers and groupies up to date on publishing staff of The Highlander! Colorado International Tat- band events. We will also pro- too. vide words of wisdom from our

Did you Know? The best guess of scholars and made its first appearance in the with a special experts is that bagpipes arrived early 1700s, completing the tune. He would in sometime during the modern-style Great Highland play on im- 1300s, settling in the Highlands set of pipes. At the same time portant occa- regions circa 1400. Before be- the Great Pipes were increasing sions involving Inside this issue: coming the Great Highland Bag- in popularity, over in Ireland, members of the pipes that we know today, how- the older Irish war pipes—with clan, to com- ever, these earlier versions of only has two drones, tenor and memorate wed- the bagpipes would need to bass—were falling out of favor. dings, births, and Did you Know? 1 sprout a couple more drones. The Highland clans shouldered funerals. When the responsibility of sustaining the chief wanted The first set of pipes brought pipers and piping for centuries. to hold a meet- Ask the Highlanders 1 into Scotland would have had The Highlands had their own ing, the piper only a single drone, if any at all. breed of professional pipers, played a gather- P/M’s Corner 2 Around the middle of the 16th who were in the employ of the ing tune to call the members century, a second drone was clan chieftain. Every morning, affixed to the pipes. The third together. the piper awakened the clan Wise Craic 2 drone, the bass or great drone,

Desk of the “Prez” 3 Ask the Highlanders -Why do we do this?

Schedule 3 Q - Why do the drummers in some bands wear checked Glengarries and the pipers wear plain? Scottish Shortbread 4 A - In some regiments of the British Army, the Pipers were personal employees of the recipe Commander of the Regiment rather than the Crown, while the Drummers were always soldiers employed by the Crown. The soldiers employed by the Crown wore the checked (more Meet a Member 4 properly called "diced") glengarries. Some military and even civilian bands maintain this distinction.

Website Info 4 Q - Why do you see one or more of the Drummers wearing a leopard skin?

A - This is likewise an old British Army tradition. Strictly speaking, the privilege of wearing the leopard skin was granted to specific Army regiments as a regimental honor for meritorious service, usually in Africa. Because of this background, the use of the leopard skin in civilian bands is in somewhat dubious taste. (Note that mod- ern bands usually do not use real leopard skins but imitations, because of the endan- gered species acts). Page 2 The Highlander

Pipe Major’s Corner—P/M Andra “Pipey” Stoller I have been asked whether we are being a rock star! new folks how to keep playing primarily a performance band or a even when their bag is slipping competition band. The short We perform because it sup- or they messed up the last answer is: we are so much more! ports the financial needs of our measure or when they feel like band. Our band has always they will never get it (because We compete because it makes us been “financially friendly” for we’ve all been there). a better band. The competitions its members. We use fees We support and encourage give us a way to measure how from performances to purchase one another. Our mission well we are playing. We bring in pipe chanters, chanter reeds, statement ends with ”...while experienced pipers and drummers drums and drum heads, uni- encouraging brotherhood, felic- who coach us to play more as a forms, instructors for clinics, ity and good fellowship among “Describing unit. Pipers and drummers are band registrations to WUSPBA its members.” Felicity means motivated to learn and play better and competitions, carpool re- “great happiness”. Are you ourselves as a in order to score well in the com- imbursement, and travel finding great happiness in play- petition circle. There has been funds. We do this to offset the ing with the band? This is what performance, dramatic improvement, over the personal cost for each band you have committed to do as last few years, in our unison and member. Because the money your hobby. Enjoy it! Enjoy competition, and sound because of our involvement from these performances sup- the friendships, the workout in competitions. ports all parts of the band, all (that’s what I tell my doctor), teaching band band members are a part of the and the music. We perform in order to enter- performance band. There are means a lot more tain. Our band mission is “to no competition only members. Describing ourselves as a per- develop, promote and perpetuate formance, competition, and than those few pipe band music and the heritage, We teach because we can teaching band means a lot customs and folklore of the Gaelic share our great experience more than those few words.” Scottish, Gaelic Irish and all other with others who will hopefully words. We are more like a Celtic nationalities, through public join our ranks. We do not well organized group of great performances, public education have any local youth band to friends, of all ages and occupa- and participation in Highland teach young kids how to play tions, who play difficult ancient games and other Celtic activi- pipes and drums. Bagpipes and instruments that we force to ties…” Have you ever noticed Scottish drumming are not tune together while wearing 18 how you become an instant celeb- taught in the local high schools pounds of wool and debating rity when you wear your uniform (anyone want to how open we will play that in a public place? Use that short- start?). Individuals can learn taorluath in the first bar of the lived fame to educate others by with an instructor, but playing third line of the second tune of sharing Gaelic history, showing in a band requires some addi- the set. It’s much easier to say, how bagpipes work, inviting folks tional skills. There’s no early E “I’m a part of the Pikes Peak to upcoming events, and playing when you’re a soloist. Unison Highlanders!” We all know “WUSPBA” stands for for them. This is the closest and tempo are big factors when what you mean. Western United States Pipe some of us will ever come to playing with a band. We teach Band Association, which supports and organizes pipe and drum competi- Wise Craic - tions throughout the moun- tain states region.

The Pikes Peak Highlanders field grade 4 and 5 bands at WUSPBA competitions each season. More infor- mation can be found at wuspba.org.

Note: "Craic" , is a term for news, gossip, fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation, particularly prominent in Ireland. Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3

From the Desk of the “Prez”—Dale Kuykendall Hello Highlanders! I just wanted to some motivation for participating in the anyone else may have. The amount share a few things in our inaugural ongoing events. Right now, we are of effort that we put into these newsletter. looking at participating in competitions fundraising events will be directly With our busy season in full swing, I outside of our little part of the country proportional to how much money wanted to make sure that everyone every few years, with the ultimate goal the band can contribute to each knows how much I appreciate the of going to international events. As a member for the trips. We are also help with all of our events. We still start to this goal, we’ve decided that in looking at setting up a system have some left this season, and I’m 2020, the band will go to the North where people could put money looking forward to seeing you at American Pipe Band Championships in away with the band throughout the them. Upcoming events include: Maxville, Ontario. This event happens year as they can afford it, saving it  Cripple Creek Veterans Memori- around the end of July every year. In up to help them with the big trips. al on August 21st the meantime, we will add a local com- A variety of people have contribut-  Colorado International Taptoo petition to our schedule next year ed great ideas for this band, and we on August 27th (likely Albuquerque or Moab), and look need your help and support to be at going to a USPBA competition out-  Estes Park Games on September successful. Again, thank you for all of the help 8th through 11th side of our area, probably in two years. Achieving goals like these will require so far this season. If anyone ever  Kirkin O’ the on October consistent participation from everyone. has any questions or comments, th 30 We want the band to be able to cover please do not hesitate to contact  PPCC Veterans Day event on some of the cost of attending these me. I’d love to sit and chat. November 11th larger competitions. In order to do Recently, we have been having a hard that, we need to make sure we get all time finding pipers to play at the me- of the individual events and gigs cov- morials and funerals at Ft. Carson. ered. We are looking at having the Please remember that this is a service money from the mini band requests go that this band has committed to straight to funding these trips. We are providing for our fallen military mem- also looking at hosting some fundrais- bers. Help us meet this commitment ers, but something on a smaller scale and let Q/M John Poss know when than a Burns Night. To help with these you can help out. fundraising activities, we will be adding a With the turnover in band leadership fundraising coordinator position to the this year, the executive group has band. We are working on a position been busy. One of our big ongoing description, and will get that out to projects has been to establish long- everyone soon. If anyone is interested, term goals for the band. We want to please let me know. have goals that justify all the hard While we have some ideas floating work that everyone does, and provide around, we are always open to any that

Upcoming Events/Schedule (subject to change)

8/6/16 8/27/16 9/8-11/16  Wedding at Shove Chapel  Hero Show-Pikes Peak Ctr  Longs Peak Festival-Estes Park

 Mini Band / 5:30 pm  Full Band (Various Times)  Full Band 8/13/16 9/3/16 10/1/16  Funeral at Evergreen Cemetery  Wedding Green Mtn Falls  USO Freedom Dinner at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort  Solo piper  Mini Band / 5:00 pm  Mini Band / 5:30 pm 8/21/16 9/4/16 10/30/16  Vet Memorial—Cripple Creek  Wedding at The Pinery  Kirkin O’ the Tartan  Mini Band / 12:00 pm  Solo piper / 3:30 pm  Full Band / 8:00 and 11:00 am

From the Scottish Kitchen

Scottish Shortbread 3 cups all purpose flour 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter (pref. European-style), chilled

Primary Business Address: Preheat oven to 350F. Pikes Peak Highlanders Pipes and In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, sugar and Drums salt. Pulse a few times to blend. P.O. Box 26087 Colorado Springs CO 80936 Cut butter into large chunks and add to food processor. Whiz for about 1 minute, until dough has a very sandy and starts to clump together. Pour into a 9-inch square pan and Phone: spread into an even layer. Use a flat-bottomed glass to press down the dough firmly, cre- 719-888-9337 ating as smooth a surface as possible.

Email: Score dough lightly with a knife, marking 4 rows by 8 rows of shortbread pieces. Dock [email protected] the dough with a fork, if desired. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until shortbread is lightly browned all over. Website: While the shortbread is still hot, use a sharp knife to cut shortbread all the way through www.pikespeakhighlanders.com along the lines you scored prior to baking. Allow shortbread to cool completely once it has been cut. When cool, shortbread pieces should break apart very easily. Store in an airtight contain- er. Makes 32 pieces. Meet the Members @pphighlanders Name: Kathleen “Kitty” Name: Michael Wheelon Farquharson Birthplace: Black Birthplace: Long Beach, Cali- WANT TO HIRE THE BAND Mountain, North Carolina FOR YOUR EVENT? fornia CONTACT US AT www.pikespeakhighlanders.com A little about Kitty: Kitty served as a Sgt in the A little about Michael: Michael retired as a USAF where she served as the first woman exper- SMSgt in the USAF where he served 21 years in imental subject. What this means is that she was Special Operations. He conducted op- part of numerous USAF G-Force ex- erations in 31 countries for various agen- periments. This included flights in cies. He currently is a Government MISSION: The mission of various G-force simulators, experi- employee working in security. the Pikes Peak Highlanders is mental centrifuges and the F-100 fight- to develop, promote and er jet. She also earned the “Order of He has been playing drums in various perpetuate pipe band music the Elephant” which means she experienced 10Gs capacities since 10 years of age. Playing both Bass and the heritage, customs at 42K feet! and Quads in High School and kit/set in College. and folklore of the Gaelic He joined the pipe band in 1994 to con- Scottish, Gaelic Irish and all Kitty joined the band in 2015 to tinue playing drums and maintain his con- other Celtic nationalities, become a piper primarily due to nection with his Celtic heritage. His through public performanc- her Celtic heritage. Her family con- family originally came to the U.S. from es, public education and sists of members of , Waterford County, Ireland. participation in Highland , and Clan Boyd. She games and other Celtic ac- also have some Irish blood from the Over the years he has served as Drum Sgt, Drum tivities, while encouraging McConnell family. Corporal, Quartermaster and Band President. brotherhood, felicity and Recently stepping down in the Spring of 2016. He good fellowship among its She is active in the Color Guard, serves in various capacities at Springs Church here members. American Legion and the Scottish in COS. He is also a member of the American Military Society (SAMS). She American Legion, the Veterans of EVER DESIRED TO PLAY THE also serves in various capacities at Vil- Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Notre GREAT HIGHLAND PIPES OR lage 7 Presbyterian Church. She is also Dame Alumni Association. DRUMS? VISIT OUR WEB- a certified Faculty Trainer for the American Heart SITE AT Association in CPR & First Aid. She is also a secu- His favorite bagpipe tunes are “Caber Feidh” and www.pikespeakhighlanders.com rity guard and a swimming instructor. “Miss Delicia Chisholm.” Her favorite bagpipe tunes are “Amazing Grace” and “Highland Cathedral”.