Northwest Junior Pipe Band is a Shoreline, WA based non-profit organization for youth 18 and under. Positively driven, the band is focused on improving access to Great Highland Bagpipe and Scottish Drumming education for youth, and increasing the visibility of one of the most recognized traditional music legacies of Scottish culture and history. The hard work of many volunteers and talented students continues to attract attention. With dozens of students now enrolled in Northwest Junior “Pipe Band School“, which provides the opportunity to learn from NWJPB’s talented instructors in a group lesson environment at a reasonable cost, as well as a scholarship program supporting private or group lessons for students who qualify for public assistance, and 50 members now listed on the Northwest Junior Pipe Band membership roster.
The rapid growth has been consistent for the last several yearsand the band continues to reach youth and families that appreciate and benefit from a supportive and encouraging environment and high quality instruction. Kevin Auld is the Band Director, and has been playing bagpipes since starting at Shorecrest High School 18 years ago. Kevin has a unique ability to connect with youth of all ages and puts an incredible amount of energy into the education of young pipers in the band. Steve Roy is a man of many percussion talents, performing in various successful Latin ensembles, Jazz, and Rock groups. A degree in music from Cornish College of the Arts, and a passion for the art Scottish Drumming leads to rapid development of skills in new and developing snare drummers. Steve also provides unique opportunities to expand students’ percussion experience by running “The Bucketmen,” a Celtic/Afro/Latin ensemble that plays a variety of percussion instruments including buckets…inspired in part by street performers and music groups like Stomp and “SQUID Precision Drumming“. Marcie MacRae teaches bass and tenor drumming, and comes from a family deeply rooted in the local Scottish music community, beginning her career at the age of 7.
In addition to the high caliber core instructors at Northwest Junior Pipe Band, World Champion Snare Drummer John Scullion visits from Ireland several times a year to provide additional power, passion, and energy to the teaching program at NWJPB, and this year two more alumni of Northwest Junior Pipe Band have joined the volunteer teaching staff; Ben Little, an NWJPB graduate from the 2006/2007 season, and Micah Babinski, a world-renowned solo and band piper. Micah began his piping career with Northwest Junior Pipe Band in the ’90′s, and quickly moved up the ranks moving on to higher grade pipe bands so rapidly that now, in his first year of College at the University of Washington, Micah plays with the former world Champion Grade 1 band from BC, Canada, the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. At the age of 14, Micah wrote “Afternoon at the Green Monster” a bagpipe piece performed by multiple-award winning World Class Piper Jack Lee (also Pipe Sergeant of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band), as well as many other talented soloists and bands throughout the world. An Open level piper, Micah is contributing his significant talent and energy to the Northwest Junior Pipe Band’s two competition bands, and helping prepare them for the toughest world-wide competition any pipe band can face, the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
The importance of music education is significant and often under-funded in our public schools. Northwest Junior Pipe Band is committed to music education excellence, promoting the traditions of Scottish piping and drumming, and providing a safe and supportive environment for youth to make lasting friendships and learn commitment, dedication, focus and respect. The band plans to compete in the World pipe Band Championships in 2008 and is raising funds to help offset the significant costs of travel for band members.
You can help these talented students make the trip by donating directly, or purchasing an Entertainment book from the band’s web site until December 15th, 2007. Other needs include scholarship donations, instruments, uniforms and many other opportunities to help!
