City of Washington Pipe Band

About the City of Washington Pipe Band

The City of Washington Pipe Band was formed in 1961, under the name Denny & Dunipace Pipe Band. The name was drawn from twin towns in Scotland that are active in promoting youth piping.

It was originally composed partly of personnel from the famed U.S. Air Force Pipe Band. Instrumental in the founding of the band were Sandy Jones, Walt Birtles, and Jim Neary. Bill Logan was the first Pipe Major, and Walt Birtles was the Drum Sergeant.

The original band was filled with with young pipers who would go on to later fame, such as Tim Carey, Ed Krintz, and Jerry Early. They were successful in competition against the better U.S. bands of the era.

The band was reorganized under P/M Sandy Jones and D/S Walt Birtles in 1970 and began to attract the D.C. area's best young players. The band was quite successful in the early years of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA) Grade 2 competition. In 1973 the band visited Scotland and developed a rapport with the townspeople of Denny and Dunipace.

In 1975, Sandy Jones retired and Ed Krintz was named Pipe Major. Tommy Kee headed a reconstituted drum corps. Ed led the band through several very successful seasons that saw the band win the Canadian Champion Supreme and North American and Canadian Grade 2 Championships in 1976.

During this time, the band developed a reputation for playing innovative and original music, much of it composed or arranged by P/S Charlie Glendinning, a tradition that continues to the present day. Ed took a position teaching piping in Dunedin, Florida, in 1978, and Charlie took over the reins until Ed's return in 1980. During this period Tim Gladden became the Drum Sergeant.

In 1980 the band recorded an album, Denny & Dunipace Pipe Band and continued to be a force in the East Coast Grade 2 scene. Timmy Carey became the P/M in 1982 and led the band into a new era. The band was soon dominant in EUSPBA contests and successful in Canada as well.

During this time the band came under the sponsorship of local merchant Jim Hollan, and was renamed the Scottish & Irish Imports Pipe Band. The band competed in Scotland in 1985, and was upgraded to Grade 1 for the 1986 season.

Charlie Glendinning led the band for the 1986 season, and Timmy was back at the helm in 1987. The drum corps was under the leadership of Jon Quigg and Tommy Kee at various times.

The band was EUSPBA Grade 1 champions several times for the remainder of the decade, and made respectable showings in Canada. The band recorded their second album, Tunes of Glory, which was released internationally by Lismor.

In 1989, Timmy led the band to Scotland for serveral competitions and the Worlds. The Band won two first place finishes at Inverkeithing and at the Bridge of Allen Games. Unfortunately, personnel shortages kept the band out of action in 1990.

In the fall of 1990, Mike Green was named P/M and began a rebuilding project, bringing in new recruits and adding his personal flair to the music. The band reverted back to the original Denny & Dunipace name.

The band competed in Grade 1 in 1991, but was downgraded to Grade 2 in 1992 as the EUSPBA re-aligned their grades to conform to international standards. The band finished 1992 strongly with a Grade 2 sweep at Santa Rosa. At the end of the year, they changed the name to the City of Washington Pipe Band.

In 1993 the band continued to dominate EUSPBA Grade 2, and traveled to Scotland again. In 1994 they fended off a strong challenge by the Lehigh Valley band to retain the championship title.

The highlight for 1994 was a 2nd-place finish in the North American Championship, including 1st in piping. In addition, the City of Washington 'B' band was EUSPBA Grade 4 Champions.

The winter of 1994-1995 was filled with lots of recruitment and hard work. 1995 was been extremely successful for the band. The band put on a good performance at every contest, and managed to capture the North American Championship in Grade 2 in August, defeating the reigning Canadian champions. The band finished up the season with a very strong showing at Bethlehem's Celtic Classic, and although the band did not finish in 1st place, it maintained the very high level of musicianship it had become known for.

1996 was even better! First places at Fair Hill, Delco, and Virginia were followed by a trip to Scotland. The band finished in 1st Place at Perth, beating the Hydro Electric Buchan Band, which won the Scottish, British, World, Cowal and European Championships in 1996.

The band finished a close 2nd to Buchan at the World Championship and brought home some nice big trophies. Further success at Ligonier (1st Place) and Bethlehem (2nd Place) made it quite a year. And to top it off, the band came under the sponsorship of Icelandair.

The 1997 season was successful, with firsts across the board in domestic sanctioned competition. At the World Championship, a 5th Place finish (out of 31 bands) was somewhat disappointing after the 2nd Place the year before, and high expectations. However, the season ended with strong showings at Schenectady and Bethlehem.

Over the winter, several more new players were added to the roster, and the practicing began anew. Of course, the highlight of 1998 thus far has been the victories at the Antigonish (Nova Scotia) Highland Games, including a 1st in the Grade 1 MSR over the vaunted Halifax Police in a whipping cold rain.

The Antigonish Games was a marvelous and fun experience. We're now gearing up for Maxville (the North American Championship) and the World Championship in August. Stay tuned! Now we have the 1999 World Championships.

Hide this content.