BAGPIPING
To book a Highland Bagpiper in full traditional uniform for a wedding, memorial service or other function, please click on our 'Weddings' page on the right.
We are pleased to announce the long anticipated release of a new book...
'UPOHO UKA NUI 'O KEKOKIA (Scotland's Great
Highland Bagpipe) -- The Story of Bagpipes, Bagpipers, and Bagpipe Bands in Hawai'i with Accounts of King Kalakaua's
Visit to Scotland -- by Hardy Spoehr.
This fabulous work of research has been 7 years in the making, and contains great archival pictures, and newspaper accounts back to the1800s. The section on the history of bagpiping on Maui was contributed by our own Hamish Burgess. The book is available through Maui Celtic for $24.95, plus post and packing. Please visit our 'Online Store' to the right.
MAUI EVENTS
Saturday July 26th - see the Isle Of Maui Pipeband play at the County of Maui Volunteer Fair at Queen Ka'ahumanu Shopping Center from 11:15 to 11:45. The fair is open 10am - 2pm.
THE RETURN OF JACK LEE...
The next big piping event on Maui is a visit by World Champion Bagpiper Jack Lee, of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. He comes to the island in March to teach a four day Pipe School to local Maui bagpipers.
Thanks for supporting the event. It will be A GREAT SHOW !! Opening by the The Isle of Maui Pipeband, followed by a stunning performance by Jack, and Highland dancing ! All proceeds fund our local non-profit pipe band. Mahalo!
Jack Lee has been regarded as one of the world's leading bagpipers for 25 years. His accomplishments as a Solo Piper, Band Leader and Teacher cause him to be much sought after as a performer, lecturer and teacher throughout the world. He is the Pipe Sergeant and co-founder of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, 4 time winner of the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland. As a solo piper, Jack has won nearly all the top awards available, including the Gold Medal at Inverness and Oban(Scotland), the Gold Clasp at Inverness(the premier award in the piping world, open only to former winners of the Gold Medal), The Senior Piobaireachd at Oban, The Silver Star at Inverness (twice), and the Glenfiddich Piobaireachd (pibroc) at Blair Athol, Scotland (twice). He is also 15 time winner of the BC Pipers Association Annual Gathering! Jack has a solo CD in the "World's Greatest Pipers" series available. On a personal level, Jack and his brother Terry, were both awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada in 1999 for outstanding service to the country.
OAHU EVENTS
The biggest Scottish event in the Hawaiian Islands, 'The Hawaiian Scottish Association's' yearly 'Scottish Festival' is held by the bandstand in Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, Oahu on the first weekend in April, from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Maui Celtic can be seen in the trade tent all weekend, nearby the Clan tent, where you can find out more about your family history. There are also Pipe Bands, traditional music and storytelling, dancing and Highland Games.
PAST EVENTS
Please see the NEWS ARCHIVE page for past bagpiping events.
Strangely enough, there are bagpipers
in the Hawaiian Islands, with several on Maui. Solo pipers are available for public and private
functions, weddings, New Year's Eve (Hogmanay), Robert Burns Day, and St.Patricks Day .
Fees vary - please contact us for details.
Hamish Douglas Burgess is a Scottish bagpiper, available on Maui, or the other Hawaiian Islands, to play the pipes at your function. Hamish plays the Great Highland Bagpipe and has played many cultural events here on the islands. He has played weddings here on Maui, local ones as well as for visitors at hotels, and it is appropriate here to mix the beach and sunset ceremony with a piper. Hamish has played ceremonies here that have had Hawaiian musicians, Hula dancers and a bagpiper !
Hamish is a founding member of "The Maui Celtic Pipes and Drums", now renamed "The Isle of Maui Pipeband", a non-profit bagpipe band serving the Maui community, and has been a visiting member of "The Cornish Caledonian Pipes and Drums" in the UK. In the summer of 2000, Hamish and Michael Riedel travelled to Scotland to represent Maui and the Hawaiian Islands in "The Millennium Pipe March", where 10,000 pipers and drummers marched through Edinburgh. This was the biggest gathering of pipers ever, and raised money for the Marie Curie Cancer Research charity. The lads were well received in their kilt uniforms and kukui nut leis, and both appeared in the program and video of the event!!
BAGPIPING IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Many years ago, when the Hawaiian sugar plantations were well staffed with immigrant Scots, maybe the sound of bagpipes was a familiar sound on the islands, but these days
it is a little more
uncommon. However, on Oahu there are currently two pipe bands,
based in Honolulu, "The Hawaiian Thistle Pipe Band", with the first
Native Hawaiian Pipe Major, Jacob Kaio, and "The Celtic Pipes and Drums of
Honolulu". Both bands can be seen performing at the Hawaiian Scottish Association's
yearly 'Scottish Festival' , normally held in Kapiolani Park, Waikiki, on the
first weekend in April. 'Maui Celtic' can be found in the trade tent all weekend, nearby the Clan tent, where you can find out more about your family history. There
is also traditional music and dancing and Highland Games.
For the last few years there has been a pipeband on Maui, "The Maui Celtic Pipes and Drums", now renamed "The Isle of Maui Pipeband", and here's the story...
HISTORY OF THE "ISLE OF MAUI PIPEBAND" and "THE MAUI CELTIC PIPES AND DRUMS"
BY HAMISH (JIM) DOUGLAS BURGESS.
On Maui in past years there have been several solo pipers, and there have been stories of previous gatherings of beginner pipers learning the practice chanter, but nothing of an organized band.
For several years the duo of Michael Riedel and Hamish (Jim) Douglas Burgess (originally tutored by
Craig MacDonald on Oahu, and formerly a seasonal member of the "Cornish Caledonian Pipes and Drums" in
the U.K.), were regularly seen practicing on the beach parks on the West side of Maui, playing by the
Lahaina Sea Wall, and at functions around the island.
At the same time John Grant, an Irish-Scots
piper since 1959 (formerly of the "U.S. Army 360th Regiment Pipes and Drums" and Pipe Major of the
"Central Coast Highland Society Pipe Band" of California, John was originally trained by Donald
Henry Maich, a Scotsman who moved to Toronto, and was in the Canadian Highland Light Infantry),
was coaxed out of piping retirement and back to teaching by New Zealander John Impey, tutoring
him and Will McBarnet. The above five individual players first met as a group to practice in Kula,
Upcountry Maui, in December 1999.
James Brent and Mike MacDougall, both Maui Firefighters, were being independently tutored by Larry Coleman from Oahu, joining the group the following year.
All the above pipers formed the nucleus of the new pipe band on Maui, "The Maui Celtic Pipes and Drums", meeting weekly to practice.
In the summer of 2000, Hamish (Jim) Douglas Burgess and Michael Riedel traveled to Scotland to represent Maui and the Hawaiian Islands in "The Millennium Pipe March", where 10,000 pipers and drummers marched through Edinburgh. This was the biggest gathering of pipers ever, and raised money for the Marie Curie Cancer Research charity. The lads were well received in their kilt uniforms and kukui nut leis, and both appeared in the program and video of the event!
The next addition to the novice pipers was Jason Wolford, and all of the group were grateful to be tutored for several months in 2001 by Piper Richard King, currently with "The L.A. Scots Pipe Band".
Although a loss to the band was Michael Riedel leaving the Maui in late 2001, a great addition to the band in 2002 was the current Drum Sergeant, professional drummer and drum instructor Peter Della Croce (formerly of "The St.Brendan the Navigator Pipes and Drums" of New Jersey). Professional drummer Michael Buono, and his son Peter, followed by Bradley Salter, temporarily joined the band on bass drum for several functions.
2003 saw the arrival of Piper Roger McKinlay Pleasanton (formerly of the "St.Louis Invera'an Pipes and Drums" and the "San Diego Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band"), his experience being an asset to the band. Next members were Troy Anderson, Trinette U'ilani Furtado, Jason Addison and Alan Davidson on pipes, and Matt Gilman and Colin Hanlon on drums. The next influx of members were Pipers David Asher, Luis Bartlett, Heather Bejenaru and Mo`o Kanaio, and Drummers Jennifer Hanlon, Kris Elledge-Adolf, and Alice Nyland and Blake Rizzo. Newest members are Pipers Logan Farrell, brothers Josiah, Aaron and Zach Burke, and Drummers Cary Ritt and Jesse Daniels, and Drum Major Richard Buckley.
The Band is currently marching with 15 pipers and 6 drummers, with more of each in training. The group is a non-profit organization volunteering our services to play events for the County of Maui, the Maui Fire Department, and various Veterans Associations.
The band's 1st function was for the September 11th Memorial 2002 (Kahului), and the second was leading the Parade opening the Maui County Fair on October 3rd, 2002 (Kahului). Since then, the band has played at the yearly Robert Burns Night in Kihei (25th January), the St.Patrick's Day Party at Mulligan's Irish Pub (Wailea), the Seabury Hall School graduation (Makawao), and twice opened The Upcountry Fair (Makawao, Maui). The band played in the 2003 4th July Makawao Parade for the first time, and probably thanks to wild applause from the crowd, won 'Lt. Governor's Trophy' (2nd overall entry), placed 3rd in 2004, and received awards every year since then !! The band also played at the ceremony for the new Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief, and at the Maui County Building's Friday lunchtime music series, and for the second and third time were invited to lead the Maui Fire Department, marching in the Maui County Fair Parade (Kahului). Other functions include numerous Christmas Fairs on Maui, Cancer Charity events, Memorial Day services, the Parade for Returning Troops in May '05, and countless other community events.
Band members Michael Riedel and Hamish (Jim) Douglas Burgess organized a Maui visit by World Champion Bagpiper Jack Lee, of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. He came to the island over Thanksgiving 2002, again in March '04, and '05 to teach a four day Pipe School to local Maui bagpipers -- they were great schools and the pipers all learnt a lot from one of the world's best pipe instructors. Hamish and Jennifer MacKay Fahrni of Maui Celtic, a local import company, produced and sponsored recitals by Jack Lee at Seabury Hall (Makawao, Upcountry Maui), and in '05 at Makawao Union Church, as a fundraiser for the "The Maui Celtic Pipes and Drums". The recitals were a great success, with Jack's piping nothing short of brilliant, and the audience giving him a standing ovation. The pipeband now run the class and concerts. For a clip of Jack Lee live on March 18th '06, Makawao Union Church, Maui by Frank Pulaski go to World Champion Bagpiper; Jack Lee live on Maui
In March/April '07 the band travelled to 'The Hawaiian Scottish Festival' on Oahu for the first time, and performed in the opening ceremonies and onstage both days of the Highland Games.
In April '07 the band officially changed name to 'The Isle of Maui Pipe Band', to avoid confusion with band member Hamish Burgess' well-known local business and Celtic concert promotion company, Maui Celtic. Both organizations look forward to continuing support of eachother, as in previous years.
The Band proudly wear kilts of the new Hawaii Tartan, and are looking for sponsors to help fund the purchase of uniform items and training.
The band is available for major community events and can be hired for corporate and private functions. All donations and contributions aid in outfitting the band with instruments and uniforms, and the band are currently looking for sponsors. "The Isle of Maui Pipeband" can be contacted thru this website, 'www.mauiceltic.com' or 'www.isleofmauipipeband.com' and are always interested in new players, pipers or drummers (no experience necessary - they will teach for FREE !).
Band members are:-
Pipe Major John Grant
Pipe Sergeant Alan Davidson
Pipe Corporal Mike MacDougall
Piper Hamish Douglas Burgess
Piper John Impey
Piper James Brent
Piper Trinette U'ilani Furtado
Piper Troy Anderson
Piper David MacDonald Asher
Piper Michael Riedel
Piper Luis Bartlett
Piper Heather Bejenaru
Piper Mo`o Kanaio
Piper Aaron Burke
Piper Josiah Burke
Piper Zack Burke
Piper Logan Farrell
Drum Sergeant Peter Della Croce
Drummer Kris Elledge-Adolf
Drummer Alice Riddle
Drummer Blake Rizzo
Drummer Cary Ritt
Drummer Jesse Daniels
Drum Major Richard Buckley
Past members include:-
Pipe Major Roger McKinlay Pleasanton (currently at large on Maui).
Piper Will McBarnet (currently overseas).
Piper Richard King (currently with "The L.A. Scots Pipe Band").
Piper Jason Wolford (currently on Maui recovering from an arm injury).
Drummer Michael Buono (professional drummer on Maui).
Piper Jason Addison (currently on Maui)
Drummer Bradley Salter (currently on Maui)
Drummer Matt Gilman (currently on Maui)
Drummer Marie Campbell (currently on the mainland)
Drummer Colin Hanlon (currently on Maui)
Drummer Jennifer Hanlon (currently on Maui)
As mentioned above, solo pipers are available for public and private functions, weddings, New Year's Eve (Hogmanay), Robert Burns Day, and St.Patricks Day. Fees vary - please contact us for details.
BAGPIPES
Bagpipes were at one time, in use all over Europe and the Near East. It is an ancient wind instrument, with hard cane vibrating 'reeds' making the sound, driven by air pressure from a bag. The musical melody is played on the 'chanter', with fixed notes from the 'drones'. The most commonly seen bagpipes are the Great Highland Bagpipes (in Gaelic, 'Piob Mhor') , often associated with marching bands of pipes and drums, but there are several types of pipes being played today, including the Irish Uileann Pipes, the Scottish Lowland and Small Pipes, the Border Pipes, and the Northumbrian Pipes.
Bagpipes were first mentioned by ancient Greek poets in 425 B.C., and later the Roman Emperor Nero, who 'fiddled while Rome burned', also played the bagpipes. The Roman army had pipers, as did most medieval armies of the British and Irish Isles.
In 1746 the rebel Scottish Jacobite army made its last stand at Culloden Moor and was destroyed. The British government victory prompted the 'Disarming Act', an act banning the traditional highland Gaelic speech, the wearing of Tartan, and playing the bagpipes. Jacobite Piper James Reid was tried and hanged, as his bagpipes were cited as an "instrument of war". Punishment for ignoring the act being heavy fines, or even transportation to the colonies, the act was not repealed until 36 years later. The famous and decorated Highland Regiments were formed from this century on, the incentive for highlanders to join up being that it was the only legal way they could wear the tartan kilt and play the bagpipes during the proscription. The survival of the tradition we see today as marching pipe bands is largely due to these military regiments, and the music started to be written down for the first time, as previously it had been learnt by a oral way of teaching called 'canntaireachd' meaning 'chanting' in Gaelic. Another tradition crossed the ocean to Nova Scotia, Canada, where it still exists to this day, a more folk oriented style of piping, less influenced by the military.
Today's standard of competition piping is very high, with solo and band competitions at Highland Games all over the world. The World Pipe Band Championships are held in Glasgow, Scotland in August, with top level bands from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the U.S.A., and there is now a fantastic Museum of Piping in the same city.