Pipes and Drums

In the Summer of 2006, members of the Georgetown Fire Department decided it was time to create a Pipes and Drums band. There was a need to preserve and promote the tradition of Highland Pipes and Drums music in Georgetown and to honor and support those who have dedicated their lives and careers to the Fire Service. This was the begining of The Georgetown Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band.

Several things came together to get it going. Lt. Jeff Davis (Q1A) vacationed in Scotland, became interested in piping, and bought his chanter while in Scotland. When he returned to Central Texas, he started taking lessons from Nick Classen, a member of the Capitol City Highlanders in Austin. Lt. Carl Boatright (E2C) returned from FDIC where there was a band in the opening ceremony and he asked why the GFD did not have a band. E-mails passed around and Jeff Davis took the lead. BC Mark Moss (BC1A), Lt. David England (E3C), and Carl Boatright bought chanters and started taking lessons from Nick. E-mails were sent out to the members of the department asking if there was any other intrest. The band grew with the addition of FF Robert Gordon (Q1A), FF Amador Anguiano (Q1A), FF Matt Wilson (E3C), FF Scott Laurich (Q1C), FF Gary Traxler (Q1C), and Lt. Tommy Bizzell (Q4C).

Some members of the band were able to make it to the 2006 Salado Highland Games. We met some new friends and learned a lot. Jeff kept everyone pumped up and drove each member at their own pace. Jeff and Mark bought their pipes from Scotland and other members bought their practice drum pads, drums, and chanters. Jeff was the first to be able to play and everyone fed off of him.

The band held it's first meeting on 11/25/06 at Station 1 and elected Jeff as our first President, and David as our first Treasuer. The band decided on the Royal Steward for our Tartan. The group decided to be an independant organization and raise money for equipment and trips. The band is filling out the paperwork to become a 501c3 organization.

Since the first meeting there have been several more meetings. The band elcected Amador Anguiano for Secretary, adopted a Mission Statement and By-laws, ordered T-shirts for the band and also for the public to buy, the band has hosted two drum clinics for our members and other interested Highland drummers, and started up a web site to keep the band and the public informed.

In the spring of 2007, three members of the band performed at the Red Poppy Festival and we added another snare drummer PFF Keith Hehmann to the band.

For more information about the Georgetown Pipes and Drums band, please visit their website at http://www.gfdpipesanddrums.com.