Tehachapi Mountain Pipes & Drums

Tehachapi Mountain Pipes and Drums is primarily a street pipe band. It exists to provide it's listeners with a pleasing spectacle, both aural and visual.

To achieve this, the Pipe Band will:

Play a total repertoire of approximately 50 tunes, all being well known. These tunes will be well played, and played together, to the best of the band's ability.
Learn a total of 12 tunes per year.
Concentrate initially on learning marches to be used in parades, and a few slow airs to be used in the circle
Have drummers learn Army Massed Bands' Beatings, in the following order: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 6/8.
Learn those tunes used in massed pipe band situations.
Learn to march correctly, with particular attention being paid to spacing, dressing, wheeling, & discipline.
Wear standard band uniform, and be smartly turned out on parade.
Turn out promptly for all band practices/parades/funtions, and conscienciously practice and revise all new tunes and beatings between band practices.
Individually learn to be a member of a team, and strive to make our maximum contribution to the success of the band, musically and administratively.

Tehachapi Mountain Pipes & Drums Constitution
Under Construction

Tehachapi Mountain Pipes & Drums By_laws

Under Construction

A pipe band is not only a musical group, but exists to present a spectacle when at a function or on parade. By adhering to the following principles, a pipe band can present a spectacular sight, rather than making a public spectacle of itself!

Ensure that you-

Keep in straight lines, both in columns and rows. This means watching your dressing - staying exactly in line with those in front of, and the the side of you, at all times.
Maintain a uniform, fixed interval of 5 feet between band members when marching, both in rows and in columns. When band is short-handed and has blanks in the rows, do not creep into the blank space on the march.
Always be aware that you are in step with the rest of the band.
Make correct turns and wheels as a member of the band. This is one of the most neglected and badly-done manuvers in pipe bands. The band should wheel in the manner of a hinged gate swinging open. The inner column must slow down; the outer column must speed up, to maintain dressing. Think of each column as being on the cuved lane of an athletic track as you turn. When you wheel, follow directly in the path of the man in front - do not swing wide and then make a sharp 90 degree turn! Nothing looks worse or creates more confusion than fish tailing (going out to the left to go right, and vice versa!)
Watch those in your row when marching, wheeling or counter marching - stay in line!
Keep and eye on the Drum Major signalling such orders as Mark Time, Wheel, Counter March, Circle, Stop playing, etc., so that each member of the unit obeys these commands as a coherent group.

Appearance is a major part of the spectacle of a pipe band. Several points should be noted to ensure that the pipe band exhibits the best possible appearance to our public.

When on parade and under the command "Attention" or "Stand at ease", do not talk or move about in the ranks. Only when the order "Stand Easy" has been given may you talk, etc.
When at "Attention," keep your heels together and stand erect.
Always turn out on parade in the required uniform, and as smartly as possible.