Northern Virginia Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipe Band

Weekly Update – 10/02/06
 
Greetings All,
 
We have had a couple of good practices in the past few weeks.  Last night was the "Mandatory Practice before a Gig" practice and we had a fairly good turnout.  There were a couple of folks missing who had called in sick or had other legitimate excused absences.  Those present were:
PIPERS: Jeff Burton, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly, Karen Killmeyer, Dana Moore, John Murray, Scott Philben, Ed Snyder and Clarence Soong.
DRUMMERS: Rob Agnew and Ron Kuley
 
We had a brand new beginner piper show up. Everyone should welcome Kate Weatherby, a firefighter with Fairfax County.
 
EMMITSBURG:  Here are the basic's on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg.  Here is the list of the folks that I have going:
Rob Agnew, Brian Brendel, Jeff Burton, Kevin Byrne, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly, Dave Foley, Karen Killmeyer, Ron Kuley, Dana Moore, Pete O’Brien, Scott Philben, Jay Rubin, Ed Snyder, Clarence Soong, Gary Winemiller, Pat Carroll.  For those staying overnight, your rooms will be available after 5:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 6. So you are welcome to check in Friday night and join me at the Ott House. 
SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY:
* The Honor Guards are going to be practicing in the morning and would like a drummer or two to help them get their pace. 
* At noon, there is the Red Helmet Ride.  There is a need for one or two pipers, in uniform, to play Amazing Grace.  In the past, this has been handled by Charlotte, NC. 
* After the Red Helmet Ride, all pipes and drums need to gather for practice with the Honor Guards in front of the monument.
* We will all need to be in uniform by 4:30 to form up and pipe the familes from the Academy to the Basilica at 5:30.
* After the Candle Light Vigil, we all gather at the Ott House.
SUNDAY:
* Memorial Service will start about 9:00 a.m.  For those staying on Campus, you will need to be up, dressed, packed and ready to leave before you go to breakfast before the Memorial.  There will be places to store your baggage and change into street clothes before you leave.  The reason for this is that there are students for the following weeks classes who will be arriving in the early afternoon and they have to get the rooms ready.  For those who are not staying on campus, you will need to plan to arrive very early.  You will not be able to park on campus and you will also have to go through security to get on campus.  Everyone’s name and numbers have been given to security so even if you are not staying on campus, you are on the list as a member of the band.  But you must plan to arrive early.
ADDIDTIONAL INFO:
UNIFORM OF THE DAY:  We will be wearing tunics.  As not everyone has a wool cape they will not be worn, BUT bring your green RAIN CAPE.  The weather forecast as of this evening is for temperatures in the 50’s & 60’s (10-15c) with the chance of light rain on Saturday morning. 
ALSO: As security on campus has been greatly increased, DO NOT BRING YOUR SGIAN DUBH.  For that matter, leave all your weapons at home, unless you have federal credentials to carry. 
AND, as there will be no parking on campus, pack accordingly.  Parking will be at Mount St. Mary’s College with shuttle busses to bring you on campus.
If you have any other questions, feel free to call me.
 
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Greetings All,
 
I trust everyone had a safe and happy Independence Day on the 4th of July !
 
We had a really great turn out at last Monday's practice and an even better turn out for Tuesday's parade.  At this point it doesn't look like we won anything, but after taking first place two years in a row, it's about time for someone else to win.  However, according to a co-worker of mine, who was standing on the side lines near Fire Station 3, our band sounded more together, that is more line one loud pipe and one loud drum as compared to the other pipe bands who sounded like a herd of individuals who were almost playing the same thing at the same time ... See, practice does help!  Well done to all!
 
Those who showed up for practice on Monday, July 3rd were:
PIPERS: Jeff Burton, Kevin Byrnes, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly, Dave Foley, Phil Nannery, Pete O'Brien, Ed Snyder & Clarence Soong.
DRUMMERS: Brian Brendel, Ethan Cochran, Ron Kuley & Jay Rubin
 
In addition to the above, Piper Gary Winemiller and Drummer George Murphy showed up for the parade the next morning on July 4th.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1) There will be no practice on this coming Monday night, July 10th.  That is because it is the Monday following a gig and we don't have practice that night.
2) Normally, we go into our summer recess after the 4th of July and don't get back together until the Monday after Labor Day (which this year would be September 11th ... Hmmmm, now why does that date ring a bell?) and this year there will be no MANDATORY practices during this time.  HOWEVER, I will be at the academy on most of those Mondays, holding practice for our beginners and students AND if the rest of you would like to show up at 8:00 pm, I'll be more to hold practice.  And, I might add, if you have any interest in playing the Quiet Man Set, or the Cohen Set, or Yingling Bells and Wreck the Walls for the Christmas walk, I would strongly recommend that you come to practice!
 
UPCOMING EVENTS: 

WILDWOOD, NJ. IRISH FESTIVAL - SEPT, 22,23&24, 2006 at this time I have the following people signed up to go: PIPERS: Jeff Burton & Ed Snyder are definitely going, Kevin Byrnes, Steve Cochran, Dave Foley, Karen Killmeyer and Chalmers Marquis are maybe's ... DRUMMERS, Brian Brendel - definite, and Rob Agnew, Ethan Cochran & Jay Rubin are strong Maybes.  We need a few more people to make a firm commitment.  (Note to self, make a firm commitment!)

NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL - OCT, 6,7&8, 2006 at this time I have the following folks signed up to go: PIPERS: Jeff Burton, Kevin Byrnes, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly, Dave Foley, Karen Killmeyer, Pete O'Brien, Ed Snyder, Clarence Soong & Gary Winemiller are definitely going while Chalmers Marquis and Phil Nannery are Maybes ... DRUMMERS: Rob Agnew, Brian Brendel, Ethan Cochran & Jay Rubin are going without any maybes.  Anyone else who wants to go to Emmitsburg, as a photographer or luggage carrier or groupie, please let me know within the next couple of weeks as that is when I am going to turn in the list for rooms.  Libby, I've already got you on the list as member emeritus. 

ALEXANDRIA SCOTTISH CHRISTMAS WALK - DEC. 2, 2006 at this time I have the following: PIPERS: Jeff Burton, Kevin Byrnes, Steve Cochran, Karen Killmeyer, Chalmers Marquis, Phil Nannery & Ed Snyder ... DRUMMERS: Rob Agnew, Brian Brendel & Ethan Cochran.   Drop me an e-mail if you want to be added to the list.
 
I haven't heard anything on the Vienna Halloween Parade, so if anyone has any info, let me know.
 
That's about it for now.  I hope everyone has a wonderful summer, enjoy your vacations and don't forget to practice.
 
I'll see you all in September if not before.
Steve
 
PS, don't forget the Fairfax County Emerald Society's Crab Feast on August 5th! 

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Steve,

I was intending to get off a note to you yesterday but got hung up at work.

It was terrific to have the NVFESPB in the Parade again. The Pipers got rave reviews. You have a spot in the Parade as long as you want it. You can be sure that I'll be back in touch with you early in 2007. I would tell you I would have a revolt on my hands now if the Band was not a part of the parade. Amazing Grace still gives us all a chill. The Taps played at the end was equally as chilling.

I apologize that we did not recognize from the podium that morning the Fairfax Sheriff’s Deputy Coalition Pipes & Drums. They certainly deserved it, and I’ll make sure that should they join you next year that we give them the proper recognition.  It would be great to have them back again next year as well. Their presence just made the entire experience that much richer.

I took a few pictures of the band this year, and I've attached them with this email.


It has been a great pleasure to work with you, and to have the band in the parade. It is, without any doubt, one of the most appreciated aspects of the entire event that morning. I hope the march back to Captain Pell’s was enjoyable. I know the bikers enjoyed it immensely.

Best regards to you,

Sean
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Greetings All,
 
I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.  Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the start of summer when the pools open, people start going to the beach, men can wear white shoes and women can wear short gloves ... oops, I'm starting to date myself. 

In the case of the Northern Virginia Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipe Band, we get to parade up Lee Hwy for the start of the Ride of the Patriots and the beginning of Rolling Thunder.  This year we were joined by members of the Fairfax Sheriff's Deputies Coalition Pipes and Drums. (be sure to go to our web site and take a look at Scott Philben's handy work with a camera.)

http://novairishpipes.org/photos/06RollingThunder/06RollingThunder.html  

(Also take note of the fact that after the parade we went over to P.J. Skidoos for brunch.  That was probably the highlight of the morning ... even better than the coffee and doughnuts that Steve brought.)

Together we had a total of 15 pipers and 3 drummers.  We probably could have used a few more drummers and they were definitely outnumbers back there in the back.

PIPERS: Steve Cochran, Ed Snyder, Gary Winemiller, Kevin Byrnes, Jeff Burton, Kevin Donnelly, Dave Foley, Karen Killmeyer & Phil Nannery from the NVFESPB.  Kevin Pittman, Rob Deer, Matt Dolan, Carl Hunt, Phil (his last name escapes me) from the FSDCP&D
DRUMMERS: Rob Agnew & Ron Kuley from NVFESPB & the FSDCP&D Bass Drummer who's name I can't remember either ... sorry guys.

All in all we did fairly well.  Obviously the Military set needs some more work, but otherwise things went pretty well.  A bunch of the Sheriff's took the time to learn Let Erin Remember so they could play our whole first set and after one shaky start, those of us from the NVFESPB managed to get through the new modified fifth set (Wings, Cockney Jocks & Scotland the Brave) without stumbling over the change of tunes.
 
During the speeches there were many reminders of what the day we were celebrating was really about.  Memorial Day is the day that we remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion in defense of our country.  Looking out while we played Amazing Grace with Marine One flying overhead, I didn't see too many dry eyes.  Always keep the memory of those who died defending our freedom and keep the Gold Star Families in your prayers.
 
The Pipe Majors, Drum Major and John are planning on getting together and working up several more sets that we can play together in the future.
 
Speaking of playing together.  The Sheriff's go over to the Auld Shebeen on the first Tuesday of each month for a little jam session.  Next month (June 6th) we will be joining them.  Therefore there will be no regular practice on Monday, June 5th. (There will be beginner practice on Monday and if the rest of you want to stop by, we'll do a little practice chanter work on the Cohen Set. Drummers are also invited.)  So keep watching your e-mail for additional details.
 
Another opportunity to listen to pipe music exist on the first Thursday of each month when the City of Alexandria Pipe Band plays a mini concert in Market Square in Old Town Alex.  Afterwards, they go into Pat Troy's for a little liquid refreshment.  John Sprages has invited all of us to come down to Alex and watch the concert and share in the libation afterwards ... I think John said something about the first round being on him .... ?!?
 
REMINDER:
The Fairfax City 4th of July Parade is only a month away.
 
While you are looking at pictures, here is somewhere to take a look.  Rob Deer sent me this sight with pictures from MPO Mike Garbarino's funeral.  Thanks Rob.

http://www.pbase.com/jowille/mpo_gabarino_funeral 


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Greetings All,
 
Se had a rather small practice this week.
PIPERS: Kevin Byrnes, Jeff Burton, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly (with students John Murray & Scott Philben)
DRUMMERS: Ron Kuley (new guy)
 
As you may have noticed we had a new prospective member show up … Ron Kuley is a firefighter at Station 26 on A Shift.  He was recruited by Brian Brendel.  His aspiration is to become a Tenor / Bass drummer.  He hopes to be able to march with us by the 4th of July.
 
We only did a little chanter work. I received in the mail a copy of the seconds to “America the Beautiful” and “The Star Spangled Banner” (Fragment) from a piper I know with the Mesa, AZ.  We tried them out on the chanters and not being able to tune them not with standing, it sounded fairly good.  Jeff, Kevin & Kevin are working on learning them.  The thought is that when we play the Patriotic Set, that we would add the seconds with the repeat of “America the Beautiful”.
 
We then went outside and played the Military Set, “Caissons”, “The Marine Hymn” & “Semper Paratus” are coming along quite well, “Anchors Away” and “Off in the Wild Blue Yonder” still need some work.  We also went through “The Dawning of the Day” and the Quiet Man Set.  Both of these are doing quite well. 
 
Homework assignment for pipers is to work on the Military Set, “Dawning of the Day”, Quiet Man Set & Cohen Set … in that order.
 
REMINDER: There will be Practice next Monday, May 1, 2006 (yes we are practicing on May Day – Sorry).
There is also a performance on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, for the Prince William victims of 9-11 at 7:00 p.m. and we are looking for as many participants as possible.  It will be a short event, a monument dedication with lots of local politicians and the press … good PR event for us.
 
That’s it for now, see you all on Monday.
 
Slàn,
Steve

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Greetings All,
 
I got an e-mail from Kevin Byrnes the other day who had been contacted about having some pipers play at a memorial service for some local folks who were killed on 09-11-01.  (We have been waiting for confirmation and additional details which is why I am just now putting this out.)  The event will be on May 9th around 7:00 p.m. and is for a memorial for Prince William County Residents killed in the 9-11 attacks.   The memorial will be at the McCort Building (Pr. Wm. Government) Complex south of Manassas on Prince William Parkway.  We would like to turn out a complete band but we'll go with what we can get.  Let me know ASAP if you can make it ... particularly the drummer dudes.
 
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Weekly Update
 
Greetings and all the Blessings of Holy Week, Passover & Easter
 
For this time of year, practice was fairly well attended last night.
PIPERS: Jeff Burton, Steve Cochran, Ed Snyder & Gary Winemiller, (Matt Dolan and Kevin Pittman from the Fairfax Co. Sheriff’s Deputy Coalition Pipe Band joined us)
DRUMMERS: Ethan Cochran
We did a little chanter work on the Military and Cohen Sets and then moved outside on the big pipes to prepare for Saturday.
 
SATURDAY: The Sikh Parade:
Attending:  Jeff Burton, Kevin Byrne, Pat Carroll, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly, Dana Moore, Ed Snyder, Rob Agnew & Ethan Cochran from the NVFESPB, Matt Dolan, Carl Hunt, Kevin Pittman (possibly) and two drummers from FDSCPB and maybe two and two from MCDFRSP&D.
 
Line up:  We will meet at the parking lot an 3rd St and Pennsylvania Ave NW (in front of the Capital).  Please be there by noon!  The Sikhs will be sending a couple of 15 passenger vans to fetch us around a quarter after.  We need to be all kitted out and ready to get on the vans at that time.  This parking lot is usually open with spaces available and there is no charge on the weekends … (if there is a charge, save your receipts and turn them in to the treasurer and you will be reimbursed.)
 
Uniform of the Day: The uniform of the day will be the summer uniform, which is short sleeve, light green shirts, without neck ties.  For those of you from the Sheriff’s Coalition and Montgomery County DFRS, wear your uniform that most closely matches ours.  Obviously our kilts will be different and even shirts may be a different color but we want to look as uniform as possible.
 
Note:  I just found out that this year the Sikh’s have hired another pipe band to march with them.  It seems that their parade is getting so long that they want two bands.  Our friends with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band will be marching with the Sikh’s as well.  We will be in the front and the WSPB will be further back in the line of march.
 
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Greetings All,
 
Those attending last Monday's practice:
Pipers: Kevin Byrne, Steve Cochran & Scott Philben
Drummers: Rob Agnew, Brian Brendel & Ethan Cochran
 
For those of you who have not made it to practice, remind me next time you are there and I will give you copies of the new music.  For those of you who are living out in the wilds (i.e., non-Virginia residents) I will mail you a copy.  If anyone knows that they will be out of town for the next couple of weeks, let me know and I'll mail you a copy as well. 
 
Next Monday is a Mandatory Practice for the up-coming Sikh Parade.  Right now I have only 5 pipers and 2 drummers from our band who have signed up to go.  I have solicited help from the Sheriff's and Montgomery Co. Pipe Bands and have received some indications of interest from both. 
 
The next gig we have coming up after that is the Rolling Thunder parade on May 28th.  We hope to be able to play the new sets at that parade.  Therefore, we need everyone to make as many of the practices as possible. 
 
As a reminder, we practice every Monday* at the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Academy located at 4600 West Ox Road in Fairfax, VA. Beginners start at 6:30 p.m. and the rest of the band begins at 8:00 p.m.  Practices normal go until 10:00 p.m.
*(The band practices every Monday except the Monday following a performance, unless there is a performance scheduled before the next practice.  The Band also takes a break between the 4th of July and the first Monday in September and during the month of December.)
 
The Northern Virginia Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipe Band is an inclusive organization and everyone is welcome at our practice.  Our friends with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Pipe Band, and with the Montgomery County (MD) Department of Fire & Rescue Services Pipe Band and the District of Columbia Fire Department Pipes and Drums are especially welcome.



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Greetings All,
 
It was a small but enthusiastic group that gathered at the Academy last night for practice. 
STUDENTS: Patti Blankenship & Scott Philben
PIPERS: Kevin Byrne, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly, Phil Nannery, Ed Snyder & Gary Winemiller.
DRUMMERS: Jay Rubin & Sean Nannery (Phil's son)
 
The main part of the evening was spent catching up on recent events and talking about up coming events and the music we hope to have ready for those events.
 
The next event we have is the Sikh Parade on Saturday April 15th.  Unfortunately this is on the Saturday before Easter which is putting a crimp in our style and we have a very limited number of people who have committed to the event so far.  Right now, we have five pipers & a maybe and one side drummer (& a maybe bass).  This is our second big money maker of the year.  With what we can make from this parade we can buy three kilts, or three new tunics, or a dozen sporrans, etc. so if you haven't signed up and can commit an afternoon, please let me know.
 
The other two events that we have coming up in the vary near future are the Rolling Thunder parade on Sunday, May 28th (just two months down the road) and the Fairfax City 4th of July parade (which coincidentally is on July 4th). 
 
New Music:  Last weekend we played at the Lockheed Martin awards dinner and there we played the five service tunes: The Army Goes Rolling Along, Anchors Away, The Marine Hymn, Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder & Semper Paratus.  That went over so well, that everyone wants to make this a regular part of our tune list and play it at the Rolling Thunder event.  Updated music will be available at next Monday's practice or I will mail it to you out of towners.
    The other bit of new music comes from a suggestion from Phil that we try to get our George Cohen Set off the ground.  The consensus last night was to build a set of Yankee Doodle Dandy and Grand Old Flag.  Thanks to Kevin Donnelly for having a copy of the Chicago Pipes & Drums of the Emerald Society music, those are the settings we will use.  These will also be made available at next practice and mailed to the away group.
    
Looking even further down the road towards Emmitsburg and the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial Weekend, we are going to be adding The Dawning of the Day into our street routine and we are continuing to work on Suo Gan.  Jeff Burton and Kevin Donnelly have both agreed to play harmony on Suo Gan but I would like to have one or two more who know it as well.
 
There is obviously a lot of work to be done if we are going to accomplish these ambitious objectives.  The group that was at practice last night feels that it can be done, but if that is going to happen, we need everyone to make as many practices as they possibly can.  Pipers, if you can't make practice, give me a call and let me know, drummers call Odie. 
 Important items are highlighted.
 
See you all next Monday. 
 
 
Slàn,
Steve
703.967.6728 - Cell
 
Odie
703.244.7594 - Cell


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Greetings All,
 
What a wonderful and profitable evening we had last night thanks to PHIL NANNERY, KEVIN BYRNE, KEVIN DONNELLY, PETE O'BRIEN, STEVE COCHRAN, ROB AGNEW, JAY RUBIN AND ALEX KULDELL!
 
The Lockheed Martin event went off well, in spite of last minute changes in program.  Everyone who attended followed the Band's unofficial gig motto of "Semper Gumby" and the folks loved us.  The revised program, when we got there, was that we would come in as single pipers, one through one door, another piper through another door, and so on, playing something soft and quiet ... yeah right, soft and quiet on the pipes ... so we played Balmoral.  As each piper entered they would join the ones already playing and thus the sound would gradually build.  When all the pipers got in we would end the tune.  Then, they would open two other doors and the drummers would strike in a roll off and we would all play a rousing chorus of Scotland the Brave.  The the speech's would start, followed by each of the five pipers playing one of the five armed service tunes one at a time: The Caisson's Go Rolling Along, Anchors Away, The Marine Hymn, Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder and Semper Paratus.  Sounds like a plan.  We sort of did that.  Steve came in from a door in the back (opposite the stage) playing Balmoral and worked his way through the tables, Phil started in through a different door in the back of the hall, and was to join in.  Unfortunately he couldn't hear Steve until he got close to the stage.  After those two were in place, Kevin, Kevin and Pete would come in through doors on either side of the stage and join in.  That part worked pretty good.  We finished the tune and cut.  They then opened the doors for the drummers who started their roll off and the MC started his speech.  The pipers held and didn't play as they would have drowned out the speaker.  Scratch that part.  We did play the five service tunes, and that went well.  All agreed that this is a set we need to work on and have ready for Rolling Thunder as all the service connected people in the hall commented how wonderful that was. 
 
After this opening ceremony the band was cut loose to a separate room where we were fed like kings.  Excellent food! 
 
The second part of the evening was that we were to come back into the hall after the dinner and awards were handed out and play one verse of God Bless America and then parade everyone out of the dinning hall into the dessert and dancing hall.  This was done to the First Set (Let Erin Remember, Bonnie Charlie & Minstrel Boy).  By now it was 10:30 p.m. and everyone headed for home.
 
I would like to give special Kudos to those who made this event possible, especially to Phil Nannery who was the initial contact and Jay Rubin who took the extra effort to get Alex Kuldell out to play the bass drum at the beginning of the evening and then to took over the bass for the last part (as Alex had to go home early).  Also, to Pete O'Brien who came out and played, even with a bad back.
 
REMINDER: There WILL be practice tomorrow (Monday) night.  Beginners at 6:30 and everyone else at 8:00 p.m.
 
Also, we have two up-coming events that we have to get ready for:
The SIKH PARADE, on April 15, 2006.
The ROLLING THUNDER PARADE, on May 28, 2006.
 
A special note to our colleagues in the Sheriff's Dept. Pipe Band; you are more than welcome to join us on either of these two events.
 
 
See you all tomorrow night.
 
Slàn,
Steve

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Greetings All

This is our busy time of year and I hope everyone is able to keep up.  I have a number of things to cover so I will try to be brief.

We had practice last night with only a few folks in attendance.

PIPERS: Jeff Burton, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly & John Murray.
DRUMMERS: Brian Brendel, Ethan Cochran, George Murphy & Jay Rubin.

As a result of the Alexandria parade and Monday night's practice we will probably be working with a pared back tune list.  We still do not have the 'Quiet Man Set' up to street quality.  We may give it a try before the parade on Sunday but we will probably not use it in the line of march on Sunday.  Caubeen still needs more work.  We didn't play Caubeen for a long time because the drummers weren't up on a 2/4 drum setting.  The drummers have their setting now but the pipers are rusty.  As for pub tunes, We will try to get by with Danny Boy in addition to our regular marching tunes.  We may be able to play Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral by itself, but transitions into and out of Irish Eyes just isn't ready.

PARADE INSTRUCTIONS:  As of right now, we are in Division C, Position 6 … all things subject to last minute changes.  We are to be in position on Madison Ave. at 11:00 am, the parade steps off at 12:00 noon.  Please plan to meet on the Mall in or near the statue garden by 10:30.  We will move into our final line up position when we find out where that is during check in.  (There is a map attached.)

PARKING:  If you plan to drive in, you will want to get there as early as possible as the few available spaces fill up very quickly.  There are some on the street parking spaces on Virginia Ave, NW around 18th St., NW but again, you need to get there early. 

METRO: The closest stops near the beginning of the parade are:
Archives/Navy Memorial on the Yellow/Green Lines.
The Smithsonian on the Blue/Orange Lines.
L'Enfant Plaza on the Blue/Orange/Yellow/Green Lines

AFTER PARADE GIG: A reminder that we have been invited to join the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Emerald Society at Murphy's in Alexandria for food and spirits and to play a few tunes after the parade on Sunday.

PRACTICE: There WILL be a practice next MONDAY!  Beginners will start between 6:30 and 7:00 pm with the rest of the band at 8:00 pm.

Look for more information through out the week if things change or as new information becomes available.

See you on Sunday,
Steve





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Weekly Update - 03/04/06

Greetings All,

Alexandria City St. Patrick's Day Parade

PIPERS: Jeff Burton, Kevin Byrne, Pat Carroll, Steve Cochran, Kevin Donnelly, Chalmers Marquis, Dana Moore, Phil Nannery, Pete O'Brien & Gary Winemiller.
DRUMMERS: Rob Agnew, Brian Brendel, Ethan Cochran, George Murphy, and Jay Rubin.
BANNER CARRIERS: Jeff Burton's wife, Josephine & Dana Moore's Son

Once again, the weather guessers got it wrong.  They said that it was suppose to be sunny and in the upper forties … they also said that it would NOT be windy.  Well, it was in the low forties with winds gusting to 35 knots!  That put the wind chill down below freezing …  and if you were standing in the shade when the wind hit, you'd believe it.  Nevertheless, a good time was had by those who turned out for the annual Alexandria St. Paddy's Day parade. 

There were several highlights for the day's events. 

First, welcome back Pat Carroll.  Fresh home from Iraq, Pat joined us for his first parade in over a year.  Pat is still stationed down in North Carolina but is on leave for a couple of weeks so will be with us for a practice or two and a couple of more parades. 

Also, there is a brand new Irish bar open in Alexandria.  Daniel O'Connell's Irish Pub and Restaurant, on 112 King Street.  It is located where Bullfeather's used to be across from the Fish Market.  We stopped in for a couple of free rounds and a few tunes before moving up to Bistro Europa and Murphy's.  The DC Fire Department Emerald Pipes and Drums were there as well and we got a chance to meet up with old friends.

And, today marked the first outing of the Montgomery Co. Maryland, Department of Fire & Rescue Services Honor Guard Pipe Band.  They are looking good in their new tartan kilts and sweaters.   They are planning to be in the DC parade on the 12th so you can look for them there.

Speaking of the DC parade on the 12th, the newly re-formed Fairfax County Fire Department Emerald Society is making a concerted effort to get as many of their members out to march in the DC parade as possible.  They are also gathering at Murphy's in Alexandria after the parade and we are invited to join them.  They have reserved the entire second floor and have cut a deal with the management to get a break of the cost of food.  Make plans to join us all at Murphy's in Alexandria for post parade pubbing on Sunday, March 12th, after the Washington, DC St. Paddy's Day parade!

That's if for this brief report.  Don't forget THERE WILL BE PRACTICE MONDAY AT THE FAIRFAX FIRE ACADEMY.  Practice starts at 6:30 for the beginners and 8:00 for the rest.  There will be piping and drumming and marching so come prepared.

Sláinte Mohr,
Steve

It is getting closer to St. Patrick's Day.  We have our first parade on this coming Saturday in Alexandria.  The following week we will be marching in DC.  Then on Saturday the 18th we will be marching in Manassas with two definite places on the pub-crawl to follow.  For those who will not be puffing on the blow stem of a bagpipe, here are the words to a couple of the tunes that we will be playing in the pubs.
 
I have previously sent out the words to Danny Boy and Endearing Young Charms.  The last two tunes we plan to put together.  'Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral' and 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling'. 
 
The current plan is to play the Verse and Chorus of 'Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral', the play the chorus to 'When Irish Eyes Are Smiling' and then play the Chorus of 'Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral' again.  Of course, depending on the mood of the crowd, variations on this may be possible.
 
Here are the words to the two tunes:
 

TOO-RA-LOO-RA-LOO-RAL
Words: James Royce Shannon
Melody: Traditional
 
 
Over in Killarney,
Many years ago,
Me mither sang a song to me
In tones so sweet and low.
Just a simple little ditty,
In her good auld Irish way,
And I'd give the world if she could sing
That song to me this day.  Oh … ,
 
Chorus:
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Hush, now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral,
That's an Irish lullaby.

Oft, in dreams I wander
To that cot again,
I feel her arms a huggin' me
As when she held me then.
And I hear her voice a humin'
To me as in days or yore,
When she used to rock me fast asleep
Outside the cabin door. Oh … ,

Chorus
 
*******************************
 
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
Words: Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr.
Melody: Ernest R. Ball
 
There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

Chorus:
When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away. 

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

Chorus
 

Double Weekly Update… 02/06/06 & 02/13/06

For those who only prefer to read the bullet points, read only the highlighted lines.

A week ago Monday (02/06/06), I was off sick so there was no beginner's session, but I did come in and unlock the Academy so there was a regular practice.  According to Ed and Odie, those present were:
Pipers: Jeff Burton, Kevin Donnelly, Chalmers Marquis, Ed Snyder & Gary Winemiller
Drummers: Brian Brendel, Ethan Cochran & Jay Rubin.

Work was done on the Pub Tunes with trying some different combinations as well as working on the Quiet Man Set. 

This past Monday (02/13/06), I was recovered enough to come to practice.  We started out with a beginner's session with Patti Blankenship, John Murray and Scott Philben.  Other present were:
Pipers: Jeff Burton, Kevin Byrne, Steve Cochran & Kevin Donnelly
Drummers: Rob Agnew

For the regular practice we did chanter work on the Quiet Man Set and the Pub Tunes. 
There are only two more practice left before the St. Patrick's Day Parade marathon starts.  Next week I want to get on the big pipes right away, so Piper Dudes bring your pipes and Drummer Dudes bring your drums. 

A couple of news items: 
We w