General Information

Band History

The Sir James McDonald Pipe Band (formerly the Oregon Pipers' Society Junior Pipe Band) was formed in 1993.  In 2000, the band was renamed in honor of Sir James McDonald, British consul in Oregon for 49 years.  It is the first Oregon youth bagpipe band since the late 1970's and is the only youth pipe band between San Francisco and Seattle.

Recent Highlights

The Sir James McDonald Pipe Band has enjoyed considerable success in West Coast competitions in recent years.  In 2006 the band has won four of the six events entered, taking first place at the British Columbia Pipers' Association Annual Gathering at Vancouver, the Bellingham (Washington) Highland Games, the Portland Highland Games and the Pacific Northwest Highland Games at Enumclaw, Washington.

In 2002 the band participated in the ScottishPower Tunes of Glory in New York City, one of the largest parades of pipers and drummers ever assembled.  This event brought nearly 8,000 pipers and drummers from around the world for a march through Manhattan and a memorial to those who lost their lives in the terrorist events of September 11, 2001.
 

Current Membership

Currently the band's roster consists of 18 pipers and 8 drummers.  The boys and girls travel from all parts of the metropolitan area, the Willamette Valley, southwest Washington and even Central Oregon to band rehearsals one or more times each week.  In addition to regular band rehearsals, pipers and drummers take regular lessons on the chosen instrument.  Nearly 30 additional piping and drumming students are preparing for admission through the band's instruction program.

Band Rehearsal Schedule & Location

Rehearsals are held weekly on Monday evenings from 6:45 to 9:00 p.m., with some Friday evening rehearsals.  Both indoor and outdoor sessions are held in the Portland area.  During competition season (summer), additional sessions are scheduled, at the director's discretion.

Locations for indoor and outdoor rehearsals are announced as soon as secured each year.  Call the number below for exact location if you would like to visit a band rehearsal.