Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Established | 1975
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| Location | Midlothian, Illinois
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| Grade | 2
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| Pipe Major | Ian Swinton
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| Drum Sergeant | Jim Sim
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| Notable Honours | Midwest Pipe Band Association Champion Supreme: 2005, 2006, 2007
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| Website | midlothianpipeband.com |
The Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band is a leading American pipe band from the suburbs of Chicago. In their 33 years of existence, they have been successful in grades IV through I and currently play at Grade II with 19 pipers and 15 drummers.
[edit] History
Founded in 1975 by current pipe major and lead drummer Ian Swinton and Jim Sim, the goal of the organization was to create a home grown pipe band which would also be highly competitive on the world stage. By 1978 the new band had been promoted to grade III and the work of the band in teaching younger students was beginning to show as they entered the band. In 1981 the band won all 10 of the contests it entered and was promoted to Grade II. The band, which by now also fielded a grade IV band of junior players, traveled to Scotland in 1983 with both bands and over 100 people for three weeks.
They competed in five competitions and were named the best overseas band at the World Pipe Band Championships. In 1985 they were upgraded to Grade I, signifying that Ian and Jim had brought a band from Grade IV to Grade I in 10 years. The band went back down to Grade II in 1987 due to the loss of several players. In 2001 the band dropped down to Grade III, and merged with the Chicago Metropolitan Pipe Band under the leadership of Pipe Major Bob Boyle and Leading Drummer Marty Boyle. The band went back up to grade two one year later. Ian Swinton rejoined as pipe major in 2004, bringing new life back into the band. In 2005, Midlothian was the Midwest Pipe Band Association Champion Supreme.
In 2006 and 2007 the band took second place at the North American Pipe Band Championships at the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario, Canada. The band also earned the Midwest Pipe Band Association Champion Supreme awards for both 2006 and 2007.
