Our Story
Representing The City of Alexandria
for over 50 years.
Alexandria's Pipe Band can trace its beginning to 1971, when a group of pipers and drummers began playing together.
Soon after, 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.
1975
The band settled in to what would become a yearly round of parades and Scottish games, supplemented by a variety of other performances. Over the years these have included concerts, garden parties, balls, banquets, horse races, conventions, commencement exercises, wedding receptions, and church service
Part of American University’s Celebrations for Over 40 Years
The band has been a staple of the American University experience since 1984, 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 inaugurations.
1987
The band played for the Governor's inaugural ball, and in 1987 performed at the White House for President Reagan in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
1987
There was even a performance 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 & drums.
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.
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.
The band at Virginia Highland Games, 1998
