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Band Website: www.mcffpipesanddrums.org
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/mcffpipesanddrums2
Your name and Position?
Michael K. Skidmore Jr., Piper
MCFF Pipes and Drums Recording Secretary
Master Firefighter/ Paramedic FS08
How many years have you been with the band?
4 years. I am a Charter Member and have been with the band since late 2004.
When was the band established?
The Charter Members of the band started meeting in late 2004, and we became an official established corporation in mid 2005.
Who was behind the forming of the band?
Our President and Captain Russell Blinkhorn, who is also a member of Montgomery County Fire Rescue (MCFR) Honor Guard.
What event sparked the initial interest in forming the band?
The Maryland State Fireman’s Association has a convention every year in Ocean City, Maryland, and in 2004 President Blinkhorn watched the members of both FDNY and DCFD Pipe Bands play at the opening ceremony for the convention. From this event, he decided that it was time to research and attempt to get a band together to represent our department.
Was it as simple bringing together people who could already play or that were already playing in other Pipe Bands or were there a lot of people who had no experience?
Our band had maybe four to five members that had any musical background or experience playing instruments. Drumming was where 95% of the musical experience was. The other 5% was our Band Manager, Piper Scott Bragunier, who studied music in college. Other than that, the remaining members were all green from the start with no musical background.
Do you guys take people who have no prior experience? Did you at the beginning?
This year our Pipe Major, Scott Doyle, tried a new idea of starting a piper class. The band solicited interest from the department by promoting the idea that no experience is necessary. It was my understanding that President Blinkhorn was looking for people with commitment to the idea of starting a pipe band and the experience was a plus if you had it.
Did you offer lessons at the start, do you now?
We all started with the book Beginning the Bagpipe by Pipe Major Sandy Jones and then after an instructor search, we found Stuart Frazier, founding member and Pipe Sergeant with the Frederick Scottish Pipes and Drums. As for the drummers, we have Captain Michael Leigh our Bass and Tenor instructor. Mike has played the bass/tenor since he was 14 years old; he was a member of the City of Washington Pipes and Drums, a grade one band, for four years. Mike also writes all of our bass/tenor music. Snare Drummers have Jason Hoffert. Jason is the Drum Sergeant for the City of Washington Pipe Band. We were very lucky that Mike was able to locate Jason through his old band contacts. Our band has been very fortunate to have three great music instructors, and it is their hard work, commitment and dedication to our band that has made us who we are today.
You say it was very difficult to find instructors when the band formed was it a matter of finding someone to deal with firemen or where there other hang-ups?
I believe that it was mostly making our way into the pipe band world. A few Charter Members of the band had acquaintances in other pipe bands and so our connection to the pipe band world was, to say the least, minimal. We did however come across one instructor who told us flat out that he does not teach new students and that he did not want to deal with us as a band. If I could speak for our instructor(s), I would say they have enjoyed working with us. I am sure, like any new student you teach, there will be many frustrating days but they continue to support us and try to guide our members down the right path.
How did you get the word out that you guys were forming a band?
Well, within the department it was the mass emailing that got the initial word out, but then it was our first fundraiser and our first St. Patrick’s Day Parade season that showed the department and the community that we were serious. Then, with the first Maryland State Fireman’s Association convention that we attended, we played multiple gigs and lead the Fireman’s parade through Ocean City, Maryland. It was here where we got recognized statewide that we had formed a band.
How was the initial response?
If I could answer this in one word it would be “WOW”!! I never expected to get the attention that our band did once we hit the streets. We even got a few awards our first year out at a couple of our parades. In our first year we rarely turned down an offer to play. We traveled several hours to play in parades or memorial services just to get the experience.
What was the goal of the band when you first started out?
I believe that the goal of this band is and has always been to represent the brotherhood of the fire service through music, hence our motto “Brotherhood though Music”. But it’s really about being the best band we can and continuously moving forward.
Has that goal been met?
We have and continue to represent the brotherhood of the fire service with honor. However, we strive to push forward and continue to keep our members progressing.
First Public Performance
Was there another band out there that helped you guys out in the beginning?
The few band members that had acquaintances with other bands (predominately D.C. Emerald Society Pipes and Drums) solicited advise from these folks, but generally speaking, we managed by ourselves with little help from the outside.
Tell us about the first performance as a band?
It was the 25th Anniversary Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This parade runs down King Street in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and the end of the parade route is the Potomac River. You may wonder why this matters. Well, this early March 2006 day offered the band low 40’s and wind gusts up to 40 mph. King Street is a wind tunnel coming up from the Potomac River. Prior to the parade starting, you are okay! Standing in the shade, you felt Jack Frost nipping! To enter the parade route on to King Street, it would be a right turn. We started our first set before the turn, and once in position and heading down King Street it was cold! Cold! Cold! The determination of the band prevailed and it was a great success. The moral of the band was great. We could not believe that we had finally completed out first public performance. We were a sharp and clean looking band with our new kilts, horse hair sporrans and spats. We hit the streets with 22 members plus we asked our instructors to celebrate this occasion with us, and they marched and played along side the band. It was a day to remember.
Tell us about your most recent performance as a band?
Our most recent performance was the Baltimore City St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the 16th of March 2008. Before I tell you about this performance let me give you the incredibly brief history behind doing this parade. Our first year out, one of our parades was the Washington D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the band was so proud to march down Constitution Avenue in front of the White House there are few words to describe the feeling. The second year instead of the Washington Parade the band decided to march the Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Most folks can describe the idea of what a blue collar society is. Now take that idea of a blue collar society and add a city with deep Irish Heritage. We marched out of there with an award and a feeling of home and the knowledge of where our band will be the next year and likely years to come. So, the second year performing for the citizens of Baltimore, Maryland was just what we expected, another exciting and wonderful experience.
Is the band strictly Montgomery County Firefighters or are others allowed to join?
Our By-laws require that to be a performing member you must be in good standing with any Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department or be active or retired career firefighters with the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service. Without getting into too much technical jargon from our jurisdiction, you must be a firefighter/EMT to be a performing member. You can however be a booster member of our organization and have no ties to the fire service whatsoever.
Are there any other requirements to join?
Each applicant must have two active members sign their application as a sponsor. “Active” is simply a performing member. At this moment any active member can sign regardless of what instrument they are playing, but in June the By-Laws will change requiring the applicant to get an active member of the instrument they want to play to sign their application. This requires the applicant to come to a few practices, see what the band is about, ask questions, and get to know the people in the band so it is easier for them to get the signatures. Booster members can get any active member signature without regards to instruments.
Can you give us a rundown of which Departments are represented in the band?
The Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (what’s considered career personnel)
The Germantown Volunteer Fire Department
The Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department
There are only three listed here but the career personnel are spread across the 34 different stations in the county which has 19 different volunteer departments. Sounds confusing but just know we all belong to one of the 34 stations in Montgomery County, which Hillandale and Germantown are included.
How many members do you have in the pipes and drums?
Including student, booster and instructional members, we are 47 strong. Then to trim it down to active/ performing members we are looking at 25 members.
How many did you have when you guys started?
Our first band roster had 28 people on it of which 19 of them are current active/ performing members.
Where and how often do you guys practice as a band?
We have always and still practice every Monday night from about 6p to 8p. As far as where we practice since our inception, we have been like a band of gypsies roaming from place to place. We started at our training academy in Rockville, MD, then moved north to Braddock Heights, MD, then to Gaithersburg, MD, and finally back to the training academy. Only in Braddock Heights were there any complaints about noise, but then again we received our pipes when we were practicing there. Management changed in Gaithersburg and we had to move. Our training academy is too busy to handle us. Currently, we practice at the Independent Hose Co. 1 in Frederick, Maryland (it’s a town about 20 minutes north of Montgomery County.)
Being a County band does that make it difficult to practice?
Our biggest issue these days seems to be travel. Montgomery County Fire Rescue has no residency requirements for their firefighters so our folks live all over the place, and our difficulty comes from getting folks to attend. Other than that we have not run into too many other issues.
How many events, memorials, etc are you guys playing a year?
We have slowed down tremendously and I believe that is predominantly because of the fear of burn out and the fact that travel expenses are still being covered by the band members for the most part, unless it is a “Department” sanctioned event. So far in our two years we have averaged about 40 to 50 events each year. This number includes single piper or solo gigs which accounts for a significant portion of the events.
Is there a must play event every year for your band?
I don’t know if I can pick just one so I will categorize our must play events. A parade…..Baltimore City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Fundraisers……of course our own which is usually around the beginning of the year!! And for general events, we have done the opening ceremony for the Maryland State Fireman’s Association Convention in Ocean City, MD the past two years. Last year was a great year because our band, Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums of Greater Baltimore and the D.C. Emerald Society Pipes and Drums performed at the opening ceremonies together.
Baltimore St. Patricks Day Parade
Is there an event you guys have yet to play but want to?
The scuttle butt is the New York City- St. Patty’s Day Parade, the Savannah, Georgia- St. Patty’s Day Parade and of course my own personal event is…..well I will keep that one to myself because I would like to see if we can be one of the few fire pipe bands to play the gig.
Does the band pay for Uniforms, Travel, etc?
To date the members of the band have paid for pretty much everything. The most recent purchase the band was able to make with band funds were our doublets, and the band is funding an equipment trailer that was donated to us by the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department. Not all travel expenses have been covered by the members. In fact, our hotel expenses for the state fireman’s convention are paid for each year by the Maryland State Fireman’s Association. Some travel has been arranged by the “department”, again if it is a sanctioned event. All lesson fees to our instructors have been paid by the members. So, the long and the short of it is, the members have paid for most of the expenses it took to get the band up and running, but each annual fundraiser continues to be more and more profitable, which allows us to offset the cost the members are required to pay.
With the renewed interest in the last few years to play and learn the instruments have you seen a jump in interest for your band?
Our department, in general, is growing pretty fast, and with that, we find that the interest is growing. Now, we pipers know how easy it is to play the drum and everyone wants to be a drummer because it’s cheap and easy. On a serious note, sometimes we have to try a little harder to get those folks interested in the pipes, to commit to them, and stick with it. The interest is there with both instruments, we just have to restrict the drum line down so that it does not become a drum and pipe band.
Are you still taking on new members?
Yes, we accept members all the time and try to encourage our current members to solicit for new members wherever they go.
How do you guys keep the interest up in the band?
Well if you know a way, the Pipe Major and the President would like to know. Actually, I firmly believe all of our members are still very interested in the band. I just think their commitment to the band has changed. Finding a way to get them re-committed is the true challenge.
How do you guys decide if a student is ready to make the jump to performing in public? Is there a proficiency, tryout, etc?
Once the Pipe Major or the Drum Sergeant deems the student is ready to perform from monitoring progress through practice sessions. That members’ status will be brought before the Board of Directors and the membership will be changed to active/ performing member.
Do you guys hold fundraisers for the band if so what are they?
At this moment our band has one main fundraiser a year. This fundraiser is usually at the beginning of the year and was mostly held around St. Patty’s Day, but this year we had a Mardi Gras Theme and raised the most funds yet. The fundraiser does generally consist of obtaining a bar/tavern and holding auctions for items donated by local businesses. We have auctioned everything from a charter boat fishing trip to the patches we wear on our shoulders. Our members have to hit the streets to get the businesses to donate items and this is the toughest part of the fundraiser. We have a 50/50 drawing, apparel sales and just simple donations for playing.
What was your first band fundraiser and how did it go?
The fundraiser was just like I explained in the previous question. However because we, the members, were not ready to play in public; we got our instructors to play for us. It was an awesome time and the fire service community in Montgomery County supported us beyond our belief and has ever since then.
Do you guys offer t-shirts, hats, patches for sale?
We do offer to our fans and supporters tees, hoodies, patches, hats and pins. Although we have not ventured into online sales of our merchandise, I am the single biggest advocate of pursuing online sales. We, generally speaking, try to have a booster member selling our products at any and all events, when the organizer allows us.
FF Memory LODD Service
Do any of the departments represented offer any financial support to the band?
Many of the departments have helped in one way or another, but the number of departments that have not, far out weigh those that did.
Does the band offer any assistance in purchasing instruments?
Unfortunately, not at this point; however, it’s not to say that will not happen in the future.
How is the management of the band setup?
Our band has a Board of Directors which contains the following officers; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Pipe Major, Drum Sergeant and the Quartermaster. Management of events is taken care of through the Pipe Major and the Band Manager.
Do you receive money from private donations or corporate donations?
We have and continue to get more and more support from local corporations.
You guys offer your services for hire, how were the fees you guys charge decided?
Individually anyone can go out and do their own gigs so long as they do not use the MCFF Pipes and Drums name. If you do a paid gig for the band it is my understanding that the band member keeps the money earned. The fees for band gigs are set by the band. The band asked our instructors and then based our fees off their suggestions.
For you, what is the most rewarding aspect of being in a Fire Service Pipe and Drum band?
Never in my life did I expect to have hundreds of people screaming, cheering and applauding the music I/we play, and until you get that, will you ever understand just how rewarding that feels. It’s like being a rock star! I can pull out the pipes on my deck, start playing and within moments cars are slowing down or pulling to the curb to listen because the music is just that good and unique. Everyone wants to get an ear full of the beautiful bagpipes. Now, on the opposite side of that, when you play a memorial service of some sort and the friends and family of the deceased come to you and personally thank you for playing for their loved one, I cannot put in words how honored I am to be a part of something so important to the fire service community.
What is 2008 going to bring for the band any big plans?
Well, I believe that this year one of our goals is to play the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial service in Emmitsburg, MD at the National Fire Academy. This event is in our backyard, I almost positive we will have a fair contingent of members performing this year.
We are looking forward to building our relationships with the Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums of Greater Baltimore, Northern Virginia Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and the DC Emerald Society Pipes and Drums. We strive to build relationships based on our motto “Brotherhood through Music,” and it has not failed us yet.
Any band traditions?
This one has not stuck or really caught on yet but with each member who plays his first gig, that individual is supposed to arrange for a bottle of Jameson at the end of the performance for the band to toast to their success and completion of their first gig. It’s a work in progress but it’s on it way to being a staple.
Anything else you want to add?
I would like to say “THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU” to all of our supporters and fans across the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. areas for making this experience a great one. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the years to come in Indy for FDIC and Emmitsburg for the NFFF Service in October and wherever our paths may cross. And lastly remember “camaraderie and brotherhood” it’s what holds the fire service family together.
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