“The community is so supportive. They see us coming down the street, and they just stop and cheer as they recognize their hometown band. It’s thrilling. It’s such a thrill.”

— Ann Reesman, Piper

The Alexandria band strives to maintain a high quality of play as well as exceptional dress and drill in parades and public performances. We set our musical standards at a high level, and maintain a repertoire that furthers both education and excellence. Slow and quick march drills are distinctive features of the band's performances.

Photo by Phil G Photography

Our Story:
History of the Band

Alexandria's Pipe Band can trace its beginning to 1971, when a group of pipers and drummers began playing together in Alexandria. Fortunately, the Tourist Council, and several prominent businessmen, took an interest in the group, and were instrumental in obtaining city sponsorship for a pipe band as an appropriate way to celebrate Alexandria's Scottish heritage.

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums was formally organized early in 1972.

The band settled in to what would become a yearly round of parades and Scottish Games, supplemented by a variety of other performances including concerts, garden parties, balls, banquets, horse races, conventions, commencement exercises, wedding receptions, and church services.

Over the years, the band has played for ceremonies featuring presidents, governors, ambassadors, as well as Alexandria’s own mayors and council members.

In 1982 the band played for Governor Charles Robb’s inaugural ball, and in 1987 performed at the White House for President Ronald Reagan in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

There was even a performance in 1987 as warm up band for a Rod Stewart concert, probably the only indoor performance where the audience wasn't startled by the volume of the pipes and drums. In 2005, the band escorted Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and the United States and international golf teams down the aisle at the opening ceremonies of the President's Cup Golf Tournament.

About the
Cameron Tartan

Since the city was named for John Alexander, an early landowner, and "Alexander" is a sept of the MacAlister clan, the MacAlister tartan was an obvious choice for the band. When kilts were ordered, however, it was found that this tartan was not available in the required weight, so another choice had to be made.

It was recalled that Lord Fairfax, who owned much of northern Virginia in colonial times, was also Baron of Cameron, a parish in Scotland. Cameron tartan was then chosen for the band, to the delight of Louis Robert, the band's chief patron, who was also known locally as "The Mayor of Cameron Street."

  • Traditional Drill and Dress

    The Pipers wear green tunics and the drummers wear red in their Full Dress uniform, to highlight the historical tradition of pipers being privately employed while drummers were enlisted military.

    Photo by Mike Beaty

  • Drums and Bugles

    In 2010, the decision was made for the drummers to carry and play bugles. The section enthusiastically picked up the new instrument and currently manages a repertoire of 4-5 bugle calls. This is a unique feature of our band. It is historically tied to the British Royal Marines, but as far as we know we are the only civilian pipe band whose drummers also play bugle. At that time the snare drummers incorporated flourishing techniques also similar in style to the Royal Marines.

  • Parades

    The band has participated in parades in Alexandria since its beginning. The Scottish Christmas Walk, The George Washington Birthday Celebration, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Alexandria and Manassas are part of the annual schedule of events. 

  • Community Events

    Festivals, city celebrations, and special events are also part of the band’s annual performance schedule. Events include the Ballyshaners' Annual Irish Festival, Alexandria City High School commencement ceremonies, the recent Alexandria 275th Birthday Celebration Kick-Off, and the annual Kirking of the Tartans ceremony at Christ Church Episcopal in La Plata, MD.

  • Band Membership

    Because of the area's large transient population the band is regularly losing old members and gaining new ones. Where needed, newcomers to piping are offered special attention to aid in developing the skill needed to join the band. Thus, over the years, through the efforts of a core of veteran members the musical standard as well as the size of the band has shown a steady improvement.

    In an effort to balance a democratic approach with the authority needed to run the band, periodic elections are held for leadership posts.

  • The American University Tradition

    The band has been a staple of the American University experience since1984, when the president surprised students on campus by replacing the usual “Pomp and Circumstance” with a Scottish procession at commencement. The band was an immediate hit. Since then, bagpipes have been a memorable part of all academic ceremonies on campus, including commencement, convocation, and inauguration.