World! Hear us Pipe

Saturday, April 28, 2007
The FDSCP&D Band made its virgin voyage onto the competition field at the Southern Maryland Highland Games. With most of the members having only a few months on their instruments, the FDSCP&D Band placed a gratifying 9th out of 11 in their Grade 5 competition.
Like an older sister, the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums Band was there to acclimatize the fledgling band into the brave new world of competition. The guidance (and food) was appreciated by all.

April 28, 2007 marks the 29th year for the oldest Celtic celebration in Maryland. Chosen in 2000 by Congressman Steny Hoyer to represent Southern Maryland in the national "Local Legacy" project of the Library of Congress’ Bicentennial celebration, The Southern Maryland Celtic Festival and Highland Gathering highlights the heritage of the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Manx, Breton, Cornish and British.
The festival is scheduled on the last Saturday of April every year from 10 AM to 6 PM Rain or Shine on the 560-acre Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. Look for the distinctive yellow flyers each year around the beginning of the year so you can start inviting friends and neighbors to go with you and share our common heritage (or learn about someone elses!). While your pets aren't going to be turned away there is usually a crowd and occasionally show animals. It would be less stressful for them if you left your furry friends at home that day.
More than 50 clans and societies have information to share. Three performing stages offer continuous music and dance featuring internationally known recording artists and groups. Watch craft and country-dance demonstrations and listen to harp, and Scottish fiddling while storytellers weave tales near grazing sheep alongside historical displays, crafts and food. There is a Celtic market place for foods and gifts provides an old world atmosphere. All-day Competitions include pipers, fiddlers, highland dancers, athletes, drummers, pipebands and celtic harpers.
http://www.cssm.org/festival

Police Unity tour

Saturday, May 12, 2007
The FDSCP&D Band united together to celebrate the Police Unity Tour at Fort Hunt Park. The band welcomed hundreds of police personnel as they rode their bicycles on their last stop before descending on DC. The tour exists to raise awareness of police who have died in the line of duty. The arrival of the riders was announced with the MacRae and Irish sets. Upon arrival, the band’s own Drum Sergeant, Bobby Knapp, participated in the bike ride and circled up with the band with his snare. After a solemn reading of the fallen, the band struck into Amazing Grace to honor the sacrifice.

History of the Tour
In May 1997 the Police Unity Tour was organized, by Officer Patrick P. Montuore of the Florham Park Police Department, with the hope of bringing public awareness of Police Officers who have died in the line of duty and to honor their sacrifices. We started in 1997 with 18 riders on a four day fund-raising bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. which raised $18,000.00. This past year we had over 1000 members nationwide who made the trip and we are proud to announce that we were able to donate 1 Million Dollars to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund bringing our total donations to 3.2 Million Dollars.
In late 2005, the Police Unity Tour pledged $5 million in support of the National Law Enforcement Museum. Inspired by our commitment and our motto, "WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO DIED" the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected our organization to be the sponsor of the Museum’s Hall of Remembrance.
http://www.policeunitytour.com/history.shtml

Officers	Pipers	Pipers	Drummers
Pipe Major Kevin Pittman	Barry Goldberg	Rob Deer	Beth Blair
Drum Sergeant Bobby Knapp	Kyle Kinzer	Steve MacLeod	Martina Murphy
Pipe Sergeant Carl Hunt	Judi Stewart	Matt Dolan	Janet Rahman
	Scott St. Clair	John Cornicelli	Greg Rodgers

FDSCP&D Plays in the Thunder

Sunday, May 27, 2007
For the first time, the FDSCP&D Band participated in the festivities of “The Ride of the Patriots”, during Rolling Thunder on Memorial Day. Led by their new fearless Drum Major, Dave Anglin, the band marched the parade route down Lee Highway for the few early-morning-risers that dotted the sidewalk. Arriving at the Patriot Harley Davidson, the band circled up with the Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe Band, and awaited their queue to participate in the ceremonies. Politicians were aplenty as they paid homage to those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to provide the cherished gifts of freedom and safety.
In recent years, Memorial Day has extended its purview. The “War on Terror” has blurred the lines between public safety and national security. The band played to honor both military and first responders, of which the FDSCP&D’s namesake is a part.
On egress, the FDSCP&D Band was astonished to find thousands upon thousands of bikers “peacefully” assembling for Rolling Thunder. The return home became the overwhelming highlight of the parade as the previously deserted route was now inundated with leather, chrome, and picture phones. The band bucked up, gathered the four winds, and played their hearts out for myriads of riders.

Excerpt from WashingtonPost.com:
The send-off will feature Rear Adm. Mark D. Harnitchek, vice director for logistics for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, giving the keynote address. The procession will head out with police escort at 9:05. Motorcycle squads will escort the bikers to the Pentagon.
This is the 19th year for Rolling Thunder and the eighth for the Ride of the Patriots, which is sponsored by the Fairfax chapter of the Harley Owners Group and Patriot Harley-Davidson.

Commenting on his debut as the new, and first, FDSCP&D Drum Major, Dave was quoted as saying with great astonishment, “I had no idea there would be that many people.”

In attendance:

Officers	Pipers	Pipers	Drummers
Drum Major David Anglin	Barry Goldberg	Rob Deer	Beth Blair
Pipe Major Kevin Pittman	Kyle Kinzer	Steve MacLeod	Martina Murphy
Pipe Sergeant Carl Hunt	Judi Stewart	Matt Dolan	Janet Rahman
Drum Sergeant Bobby Knapp	Scott St. Clair	John Cornicelli
	Brian Chiles

FDSCP&D “Carries On” at the Lord and Lady Fairfax Salute

Monday, June 4, 2007
Each year, the Fairfax Board of Supervisors selects two people from each district to honor for special service to the County. Gathering at the Government Center for an evening cocktail outdoors, the FDSCP&D Band marched in from the ellipse lawn and honored the lords and ladies with some familiar tunes. The gig was relatively brief for the amount of preparation invested by the band. However, for all the drill time under their belt, once again the evening proved that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. In an awkward exchange, the politician assigned to interact with the band missed his queue and had to issue the “carry on” instruction twice. Maintaining their poise, the band finished up their set and marched off. The band was invited back to enjoy dinner with the rest of the party.
In attendance:

Officers	Pipers	Pipers	Drummers
Drum Major David Anglin	Barry Goldberg	Rob Deer	Tom Chandlee
Pipe Major Kevin Pittman	Kyle Kinzer	Steve MacLeod	Martina Murphy
Pipe Sergeant Carl Hunt	Judi Stewart	Matt Dolan	Janet Rahman
Drum Sergeant Bobby Knapp	Scott St. Clair	John Cornicelli
	Brian Chiles

FDSCP&D Celebrates Fairfax

Saturday, June 9, 2007
The FDSCP&D Band once again assembled in June for a parade through the fairgrounds of the Celebrate Fairfax Fair. The band’s agility was tested as the crowds scattered (or did not scatter) to make room for the march. When arriving at the acoustic stage, the crowd was too thick to reach the actual platform. The band improvised and played their set in the middle of the parking lot amidst the popcorn, cotton candy, and well entertained fair-goers (each one with a camera phone).
In attendance:

Officers	Pipers	Pipers	Drummers
Drum Major David Anglin	Barry Goldberg	Rob Deer	Tom Chandlee
Pipe Major Kevin Pittman	Kyle Kinzer	Steve MacLeod	Martina Murphy
Pipe Sergeant Carl Hunt	Brian Chiles	Matt Dolan	Janet Rahman
Drum Sergeant Bobby Knapp	Scott St. Clair	John Cornicelli	Beth Blair
			Greg Rodgers

Fairfax! Fairfax! Fairfax!

Wednesday, July 4, 2007
The first word in the FDSCP&D Band’s name isn’t “Fairfax” for nothing. Recently playing the Fairfax Salute and Celebrate Fairfax gigs, the band now honors Independence Day by marching in the Fairfax City Parade. The second largest parade in Virginia, the FDSCP&D Band executed a solid set as they marched passed cheering crowds enjoying the variety of sights and sounds that is the Fairfax City Parade. The parade exhibited everything from new “Smart Cars” to Bolivian dancers to politicians and two other pipe bands. Afterwards, the FDSCP&D Band joined the Firefighters band for a reception at the Auld Shebeen.
In attendance:

Officers	Pipers	Pipers	Drummers
Pipe Major Kevin Pittman	Laura Moore	Rob Deer	Beth Blair
Drum Sergeant Bobby Knapp	Brian Chiles	Steve MacLeod	Martina Murphy
	Scott St. Clair	Matt Dolan	Janet Rahman
	Kyle Kinzer