Post by Mick Stewart on Aug 17, 2014 16:12:42 GMT
"The problem most bands make playing St. Pat's gigs are (a) playing tunes the revelers don't recognize and clap to and (b) boring them to death with a 45-minute set. Give 'em a short burst of well known tunes, in a military manner and then march the hell out. Leave them wanting more." - Pipe Sgt. Bill Robertson, Houston Highlanders Pipe Band, c. 1989.
I've finalized the music for the Texas pub set, which I have been working on for weeks. This will be for pipers in the Houston-area band:
Part 1
March in: Scotland the Brave.
Form circle: Marine Corps Hymn.
In the circle: When the Saints Go Marching In ( 3 parts + harmony ).
Single piper: The Cotton Eyed Joe
Full band: The Cotton Eyed Joe ( twice through )
Part 2
Single piper: Amazing Grace ( once through )
Full band: Amazing Grace
Single piper: ( last measure )
Part 3
Reform Band: High Road to Gairloch ( twice through )
I had originally pulled together a mish-mash of local tunes in a massive, bloated set - Aggie War Hymn, I'll Fly Away, Eyes of Texas, etc., etc, - but realized that our pub set must take, grab hold in tunes that are instantly recognizeable to (drunken) St. Pat's revelers. I've never liked the Irish tunes as most don't recognize them ... but the Cotton Eyed Joe is. That gives the pub the most "Texas" flavor the concert that we can imagine, showing the range of the bagpipe.
In Part 3 of the 'performance', the band will reform and march out on the common Reform March - High Road - and it will be done to march pace: fast. Voice command: "Reform Band, ROLLS ... one ... two!" The band will immediately begin marching and after the first measure, turn R ( or L ) and begin marching out of the pub. The Drum Major will lead, but, as the band exits, he step aside, halt and wait until all bandsmen have exited the venue. As the last line of drummers march out, he will execute a hand salute and then smartly march out, concluding the performance.
I've never liked the entrance/exit we've done in the past. It's too fast/slow and certainly not military. Executed correctly this set will hopefully sweep the drunkards off their feet and "leave them wanting more" as my Pipe Sergeant once stated.
I've finalized the music for the Texas pub set, which I have been working on for weeks. This will be for pipers in the Houston-area band:
Part 1
March in: Scotland the Brave.
Form circle: Marine Corps Hymn.
In the circle: When the Saints Go Marching In ( 3 parts + harmony ).
Single piper: The Cotton Eyed Joe
Full band: The Cotton Eyed Joe ( twice through )
Part 2
Single piper: Amazing Grace ( once through )
Full band: Amazing Grace
Single piper: ( last measure )
Part 3
Reform Band: High Road to Gairloch ( twice through )
I had originally pulled together a mish-mash of local tunes in a massive, bloated set - Aggie War Hymn, I'll Fly Away, Eyes of Texas, etc., etc, - but realized that our pub set must take, grab hold in tunes that are instantly recognizeable to (drunken) St. Pat's revelers. I've never liked the Irish tunes as most don't recognize them ... but the Cotton Eyed Joe is. That gives the pub the most "Texas" flavor the concert that we can imagine, showing the range of the bagpipe.
In Part 3 of the 'performance', the band will reform and march out on the common Reform March - High Road - and it will be done to march pace: fast. Voice command: "Reform Band, ROLLS ... one ... two!" The band will immediately begin marching and after the first measure, turn R ( or L ) and begin marching out of the pub. The Drum Major will lead, but, as the band exits, he step aside, halt and wait until all bandsmen have exited the venue. As the last line of drummers march out, he will execute a hand salute and then smartly march out, concluding the performance.
I've never liked the entrance/exit we've done in the past. It's too fast/slow and certainly not military. Executed correctly this set will hopefully sweep the drunkards off their feet and "leave them wanting more" as my Pipe Sergeant once stated.