WAND

 

This weeks band takes us to the heart of the Tarheel state situated in the Capitol County of Wake. I was intrigued by this band and how they virtually appeared from nowhere and in short order have established themselves as a serious Public Safety Band. Although they are not fully made up of Fire Fighters I truly believe they deserve a look. Check out their website and look at the events they have played it is quite impressive.

Band Website http://ncfop88.org/wand/

Your name and position?
Skip Kirkwood. In the real world, I’m the Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the Wake County Department of Public Safety in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the Wake & District Public Safety Pipes and Drums, I am the Bandmaster (kind of like President), a piper, and the drum major (when on parade).

How long have you been playing?
I’ve been piping for seven years. My first instructor was Pipe Major Tim Birr of the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Pipes and Drums, of which I was a founding memeber.

In 2002 there was literally nothing as far as a Pipe and Drum band in the
Triangle although there were rumblings here and there now going into 2008
there seems to be a huge presence….how in the world did that happen?
I believe that NC State has had a pipe band off and on for some years, but there was not a lot of visibility or a connection to the public safety world. In 2006, a chance meeting at the NC Fallen Firefighters Memorial between Clayton Police Officer Joe Brady, formerly of the Chicago Police Pipes and Drums, and Assistant Chief Tony Crawford of Wake County EMS, set the stage for the forming of the band. A group came together, with Joe (the experienced piper) serving as pipe major and instructor, Tony serving as the business manager, and Skip as the bandmaster and organizational sponsor. Letters were sent to the public safety community via the police, fire, and EMS chiefs, and a group of students joined the small core of experienced folks who had gathered. The rest is history (literally…see
http://ncfop88.org/wand/history.htm).

How many people in the band?
The band currently fields 19 pipers, 10 drummers, and an active student cadre. The core membership is made up of public safety officers - law enforcement, fire, and EMS. We are open to civilian public safety supporters as well, and some 40% of our members are in this
category.

You take people from all over the Wake County area can you give a quick
rundown of what Departments are represented?
The founding departments are listed on the drum major’s baldric. They are Clayton Police, Raleigh Police, Wake County Sheriff, Raleigh Fire, Garner Fire, Wake County Paramedics, and the USDEA. Our drum sergeant is a recently-retired of the 1st Infantry Division (the “Big Red One”).

How long did it take from forming the band until you guys played your first
public appearance?
We were actually doing some small appearances before we were formed, and we continued to do “onezies and twozies” and small ensemble engagements as we grew. After our formal organization, we held a Tartan Ball fundraiser (food, drink, music and dancing - more like a
ceilidh) fundraiser, and we’ve solicited funds at every turn.

What was your first public appearance as a band?
Besides the “onezies and twozies”we did our first parade on St. Patrick’s Day 2007 in downtown Raleigh. It was a pretty big parade, we did it with 9 pipers and 5 or 6 drummers. We’ve also done several large graduation ceremonies for the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and we joined with the Charlotte FD band to do the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Memorial Parade last may.

What’s the pre gig drink of choice?
Guiness, Glenlivet, and Diet Coke (we have a younger crowd too).

Can someone take lessons with your band?
Yep! We start a new chanter class each August, and drum students seem to be absorbed as they appear.

Does the band have a favorite song?
We play “Balmoral” for everything. We have a very quick march medly that begins witha great tune called “Miss Laurie Jean Chilton,” which we also love. Then there’s Cajun Grace (our fling version of Amazing Grace), which seems to be a big crowd-pleaser.

Is there an event you guys have played that still gives you the goose
bumps?
The NC Fallen Firefighters Memorial was a very moving parade and ceremony. We hope to continue to support this event and its Foundation in the years to come.

How did you first raise money when you guys were starting out?
Nickels and dimes, everybody asks everybody. After we did a few ceremonies for them,
the Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association contributed a bass drum, which has their association logo “watermarked” behind the band’s name. Then we had a tartan ball, and we were off and rolling.

How can the readers support your band (hats, shirts, patches for sale)
Send money? Seriously watch the web site and buy tickets to the upcoming
Tartan Ball (November 16, 2007).

How can someone buy items??
We sell all kinds of stuff locally. We don’t really have a distance merchandising capability.

What is the best answer for someone who asks What’s under the Kilt?
Ordinarily, either a piper or a drummer. When asked what is worn under the kilt, we most often reply “Nothing is worn - everything is in good working order!”

What is your tartan and why was it chosen?
Our tartan is the Black Stewart. We wanted a red tartan just because. Red for the fire service,
blue for the police service, green for EMS, and black for the memories of our fallen. White and gold for the traits of leadership and the purity of our mission.

Was the band a hard sell to the Department in the area?
Not really. We were immediately embraced by our sponsoring organizations (RFD, Wake County
EMS) and the State Highway Patrol, and we have been asked to perform for many more. Cary FD, Swift Creek, the Wake Tech Basic Law Enforcement Training program, etc. There’s a lot of positive energy every time we appear.

DO you guys recruit new members or do you let the masses come to you?
Since our initial recruiting message, we’ve kind of let people come to us.
People who express interest are invited to show up and meet us. This has
resulted in a symphony drummer, a new pipe instructor, and a bunch of great
folks.

Do you guys have a favorite event to play?
Our local Irish pub, Tir Na nOg, has adopted us and we perform frequently for them. The crowds are fun and the Guiness is at proper temperature!

What’s is the most moving event you have ever played as a band?
We try to provide a very dignified presence for public safety funerals. The Fallen Firefighters Memorial is always very moving. And our EMS contingent travelled last year to the National EMS Memorial Service in Roanoke, Virginia, which was a very moving event.

Is there a band you look up to or really enjoy listening to?
Some of our kit and music is patterned after the Black Watch. We wear their cap badges, honoring them as the first true public safety organization in Scotland. Our band’s roots go to the Chicago Police band (www.copsinkilts.com) and to the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue band. Our newest member and instructor, John Vance Schodtler, came to us from the City of Dunedin in Florida, and has brought us a touch of their outstanding musicality.

What’s the biggest crowd you have played in front of ?
25,000 at the St. Pat’s parade

Anything else you may want to add??
We’re having a lot of fun and hoping to continue to provide outstanding service to the public safety communityin the area. If any public safety pipers are ever in the Raleigh area on
Thursday nights, give us a call or an e-mail and we’ll be happy to see you.