Tuesday (9/27/11) we had a general membership meeting. About 27 of us were there. Ryan gave a general overview of where we stood, which included our financial situation. I must reluctantly admit that it was a bit confusing. The numbers he handed around didn’t really seem to have a particular context to them. He tried to answer some of the general questions, but I don’t know if he had the specifics. I email Karla and see if they can’t send out a more detailed breakdown. In short, Ryan Karla and Lt. Hennigan all seemed to think that we were right “on track,” especially for a band that has yet to play a note together. We have been getting corporate sponsorships that (combined with the various fundraising projects) will enable the band to buy most of the uniform pieces for each member. However, each band member will still be responsible for buying their shirt, their hat and their socks. They will have the option of buying the individual uniform pieces if/when they leave the band. Or they could just buy everything themselves anyway, but I don’t know why someone would want to do that.
A local uniform shop (Blumenthals) will be taking the measurements for the kilts. I’m hoping someone from Neokilts gives them some pretty clear guidance one where they should measure.
Joe Cepeda was formally accepted as our Pipe Major. He’ll serve for two years at which point we’ll see if he still wants to do it or if someone else wants the job.
The nice thing about this is that Joe has prior piping experience and will be able to play at the upcoming Seattle Police Awards Banquet on October 28th – in our official uniform. I’m pretty excited about this first glimpse that everyone will get!
It was also pointed out that we’re 8 months into this, and were still shooting for March 17th as our official debut. To that end, we’re at the point where we need to start thinking about bagpipes. Our instructor was kind enough to put together a spec sheet for what we should be shopping for. Ryan Bailey and Steve Nadell did some legwork and located three vendors which have pretty good prices. The closes is just across the border in Vancouver, but of course he has the highest prices of the three. But there is something to be said about having your vendor within driving distance in case there’s a problem.
The price range looks to be between $1500-$2000 dollars, depending on which vendor.
Looking over Neil’s spec sheet, I realized I don’t know squat about bagpipes. I mean I know what they are and obviously we’re learning to play them, but I don’t know anything about the parts or how they fit together. Like a canning drone. What the hell is that? A canister system? When I went to the individual websites, it just raised more questions. How long of a blow pipe? What size bag? Hell if I know…
Fortunately Neil was able to answer some of those questions today at practice. He suggested a medium bag and an adjustable blow pipe. He also (briefly) explained what the various elements were and how they went together.
He explained, for instance, that the bag itself is usually hide, and you have to fill it with this “goop” to make it airtight. This is called “seasoning the bag.” However the bag and canister system he recommends is lined with Gore Tex and doesn’t need seasoning. Good to know!
The other interesting thing to note was that we (the band) are all ready getting requests to march in a variety of regional parades. Again, we haven’t played a note together, and we all ready have gig offers!? Well, no pressure…
Ryan pointed out that not only are we the only single department Police pipe band in the Seattle Area, we are also the only one in all of Washington and possibly the greater Northwest. The Fire Department Pipes and Drums are great, but as has been pointed out elsewhere, Police take care of their own. It’s a good reminder why this unit is being put together.
