The Middletown Police Benefit Association Bagpipe Band was formed in July 2012 by a handful of active and retired Middletown Police officers. Not one of the officers knew how to play a bagpipe and most had no musical experience. Since that humble beginning, the Bagpipe Band has been able to grow in its size and musical ability, it has added non-police members and continues to grow.
The band is here to perform ceremonial functions for public safety services and represent the public safety services at other public ceremonies. The bagpipe band does not engage in bagpipe competitions as a group but holds itself to competition-level training and playing expectations.
Recruiting
Each year in the fall, the bagpipe takes on a new class of students. We believe that training a group of people at the same time, at the same pace allows greater confidence in the student’s ability and faster learning. It also prevents the solo student from feeling left out and believing there is too far a gap between the current players and them. The bagpipe band is open to non-police officers. This is an effort to reach out to the community and foster communication, confidence, and a stronger bond between the police and the people they serve. It also allows the citizenry to show the police that they too are there to support the officers that protect them.
Training Schedule
Training takes place every Thursday evening. Starting at 7 pm. We train at the Elk’s Lodge in Middletown and usually have access to the upper grand ballroom. Occasionally, we have to use the downstairs or an alternate location. Training is conducted with a ‘practice chanter’. This is a mimic of the bagpipe chanter. By using a practice chanter, notes can be learned and tunes worked on, without using a full bagpipe, and of course then being able to practice inside without completely irritating your friends and family.
The first phase of practice chanter training is to identify the nine notes of the bagpipe scale and to be able to properly perform those notes and move between them without problems. This normally takes 2-3 weeks.
The second phase is to start learning 2-3 very simple tunes. Such as “Happy Birthday”. This takes 2-4 weeks.
After that, we start working on tunes the band uses. We minimize the use of complicated embellishments and focus on getting the student make clean note transitions, timing, and rhythm.
Our program is designed to take a mature person with no musical experience and get them to play at least one tune on a bagpipe by St. Patrick’s Day this coming spring. We are 75% effective in accomplishing our goal if the student puts in the time.
Attendance and commitment
Students are expected to attend every week for practice. Also, we would like to see three separate, 10-minute practice periods during the day. The student’s ability and speed of progression is directly dependent on the amount of time they put on the practice chanter.
Costs for Training and Equipment
We do not charge for lessons. This is our way to give back. However, the time, effort, and equipment costs to the student can be significant.
In the beginning, the cost is low, You only need a practice chanter, a music book, and a spare chanter reed. This is about $150 all-in. The chanter and reeds will last you a lifetime.
Around Christmas, you may be identified as a potential participant for the spring St. Patrick’s Day parades. You may be asked to invest in a kilt which is a once in a life-time purchase but costs about $500. At some point, you will also be ready to purchase a bagpipe, about $1200.
Once the initial financial commitment is made, these items last a lifetime and will provide for decades of enjoyment.
Event Schedule
Once kilted and equipped with a bagpipe, the training continues by participating in the parades, fairs, and events the Band does every year. We make an active effort to keep these events to a minimum, to avoid burnout.
Code of Conduct
This is a public safety service bagpipe band. As such when the public sees us, they see the embodiment of the public safety services across the country. The highest level of civility, behavior, and personal honor is expected from each member. There is no tolerance for conduct that could even slightly diminish the honor of the public safety services. Therefore, persons who have criminal backgrounds, and another negative history as well as incompatible personal traits cannot participate in this bagpipe band.
Ken Barber
Pipe-Major
C: 860-798-1548, kbarber@barber-law-firm.com