An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 17 Pipers and drummers also served overseas as part of our UN missions in Congo, Sinai, Cyprus and Lebanon. In very difficult moments they kept up the morale of the troops, playing haunting Irish tunes in places such as Elizabethville, Larnaca and Tibnin. Today, each infantry battalion has an establishment for a pipe band consisting of 11 personnel. There is also an establishment for a pipe band of 18 personnel within the Air Corps. However, in recent years the number of pipe band personnel has declined rapidly due to many retirements of senior members, and this has been a huge blow as much experience and knowl- edge has been lost. On a positive note, we have many young, enthusiastic pipers and drummers coming through, who completed their beginner courses in February 2015 and I must say that I am delighted with their prog- ress thus far. Well done for their professionalism and dedication during the Easter celebrations. Keep up the good work! Every year our pipers and drummers are involved in various engage- ments at home and abroad, such as: Army Benevolent Fund gala concerts in NCH Dublin and City Hall Cork; the Royal Dublin Society Horse Show; the National Day of Commemoration; Somme commemorations, Islandbridge; visits of dignitaries; Merrion Square ceremonial drill. Pipers and drummers are also required at many overseas engagements, playing at medal parades and St Patrick's Day celebrations. Recent years have seen Defence Forces pipers and drummers perform in many parts of the USA, Toronto, London, Shanghai, Paris, Brussels and Vi- enna. In 2014 our pipers and drummers performed at the Royal Albert Hall in a concert celebrating Irish music, titled Céiliúradh, sharing the stage with musicians such as Elvis Costello, Imelda May, Glen Hansard, and many more stars of Irish music: a memorable experience for our pipers and drummers. Each year a pipe band travels to Lourdes as part of the International Military Pilgrimage (IMP), leading the Irish contingent to various Masses and ceremonies. The band also performs a concert for patients at the local hospital and also at the primary school, bringing fun and cheer to very ap- preciative audiences. Military bands from all over the world attend the IMP, coming from Ger- many, Croatia, Italy, Spain and the Ivory Coast, to name a few. But without a doubt, our pipe band attracts the biggest crowd! An annual joint recital at the IMP with a military band from the United Kingdom is also a major highlight for spectators. This year we performed with the Band of the Queen's Division in front of a packed crowd. On behalf of the members of the pipe band, I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to HCF Fr Séamus Madigan and his staff at the Chaplaincy Service, who work tirelessly to ensure the pilgrimage runs smoothly and is enjoyable for all. Beginner piping and drumming courses are of 26 weeks in duration and are normally conducted annually from September to March at HQ DFSM, Cathal Brugha Barracks. Twelve places are allocated to piping and twelve to drumming. The courses are open to line infantry privates and members of the Air Corps. Step-by-step teaching is given and no prior musical experience is required. Music theory is covered at elementary level. Pipe band drill, instrument maintenance and tuning are also covered. Students are taught a number of basic technical exercises and rudiments in accordance with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band syllabus. Once good technique is established, simple tunes are introduced and the progression is then made from practice chanters and drum pads to Highland pipes and snare drums. Throughout the course there is continual assessment, with revision tests, written and practical, to ensure progress is being made. Stu- dents may be returned to their respective units if it is clear they are not showing an aptitude for music or failing to assimilate lessons. The courses are extremely enjoyable and many students progress quickly and go on to become very accomplished pipers and drummers. At the end of the course, students are required to perform one pipe tune or drum setting of their choice - a great chance to impress and get the feel of performing to an audience. I would advise potential students, first and foremost, that they must have a very keen interest and commitment to learning the in- strument. Once on the course, students must work hard during lessons in order to leave the classroom with a firm grasp of what they need to practice for the next day, as homework is required on the course. I recommend at least fifteen minutes of homework in the evening. This gives the students an opportunity to perfect any exercise or tune in their own time away from classroom pressures. For more insight to the course, potential candidates should talk to pipers and drummers from their own units for advice or con- tact me directly at hQ dFsm on ext 6422 or kevin.duncan@defenceforces.ie

• Cover