In very short order the program grew to the point where I was overwhelmed by the number of boys and mixed classes (pipers at various levels, snare, tenor, and bass drummers all in the same class!). The ISAC’s accreditation team pronounced the program “magnificent” and encouraged the school to support it in every way possible. In 2009 the school hired Sarajane Trier. Together we pushed the program further yet. Enrollment peaked at 100 boys. In March 2011 we took 56 boys to Alexandria Virginia to participate in their St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The boys won Best Youth Band and Best in Parade, a truly notable accomplishment, playing against some excellent bands from the DC area.
These audio and video clips help demonstrate what is possible following our teaching methods. The SJNMA experience was interesting in that we took in about 100 boys each August, most new to playing any musical instrument at all. The goal was to provide them with a significant musical experience and to build a solid foundation for future learning. We also had a goal to put as many boys on parade and in performances on pipes and drums as possible. We would start each fall with about 20 boys returning from the previous school year.
In 2012 I left SJNMA. Some thought that the bagpipe program had gotten too big. In my final year at the school, nearly all the Cadet Leaders had come through the program. For some of the boys, it helped them through a difficult time in their lives. They learned things in our program that were not taught elsewhere on campus. (I call bagpipes “the ultimate team sport.”) It truly was more than just a bagpipe program. It built self-esteem and instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment. In the fall of 2011 new rules were imposed on the program that severely impacted its ability to remain excellent. With great sadness, I decided that it was time to leave. Sarajane and I wrote The Hal Leonard Bagpipe Method in honor of the boys we taught.
Special mention goes out to Tony Karcz of Chicago. He made it to Grade 1 and is currently a primary instructor with the Chicago Academy of Pipes and Drums and a member of the City of Chicago Pipe Band. It’s also nice to see Pete Purvis of Gaelic Storm playing with City of Chicago. Pete was part of my Braemar organization back in the day.
The videos below are really all that needs to be said. It was a very special moment in time.
Dawning of the Day – Waltzing Matilda
6/8 Marches
Amazing Grace 4/4 March
Highland Cathedral
Chieftains – March to Battle
Chieftains – Jigs
Chieftains – An Dro
NAIS Conference
Drummers Fanfare
Clumsy Lover
Hector the Hero
Concert in the Gym
