When the Scottish Highlanders were combined with the British army, the bagpipes were used
to signal out orders to the troops. Later pipers started to play together. Then side drummers,
tenor drummers and a bass drummer were added and the pipe band was born. Today pipe bands are
common all over the world. Usually they dress in original highland dress like the civilian day
dress or the military full dress. In Scotland, pipe bands compete against each other during the
World Championships. The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association divides pipe bands in 4 grades.
Grade 4 is the lowest grade and grade 1 is for the professionals. Grade 1 bands like the
Simon Fraser University, Field Marshall Montgomery are the world's top bands. These first class
pipe bands are very rare. Non-professional bands in grade 3 and 4 are more common. There is
probably one nearby.
The tradition of bagpipes played at police or fire department funerals in the United States goes back over one hundred fifty years. When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them. One of these was the bagpipe, often played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances). It wasn't until the great potato famine and massive Irish immigration to the East Coast of the United States that the tradition of the pipes really took hold in police and fire departments. Factories and shops had signs reading "NINA"-No Irish Need Apply. The only jobs they could get were the ones no one else wanted - jobs that were dirty, dangerous or both - fire-fighters and police officers. The police and firefighters funerals were typical of all Scottish and Irish funerals-the pipes were played. It was somehow okay for a hardened firefighter to cry at the sound of pipes when his dignity would not let him weep for a fallen comrade. Those who have been to funerals when bagpipes play know how haunting and mournful the sound of the pipes can be. Before too long, families and friends of non-Scottish or Irish police officers or firefighters began asking for the piper to play for these fallen heroes. The pipes add a special air and dignity to the solemn occasion. Associated with cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, pipe bands representing both fire and police often have more than 60 uniformed members. They are also traditionally known as Emerald Societies after Ireland-the Emerald Isle. Many bands wear traditional Scottish dress while others wear the simpler Irish uniform. All members wear the kilt and tunic, whether it is a Scottish clan tartan or Irish single color kilt. Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. The pipes have come to be a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral.
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