STATE COLLEGE — In the early 1970s, Penn State Professor of Meteorology Alistair B. Fraser had an idea to form a band based on his love for bagpiping. Now, 50 years later, the Nittany Highland Pipe Band is still entertaining the masses with its unique sound.
So, what does it take to keep a band together for 50 years? Lots of determination, grit, countless hours of practice, teaching and mutual encouragement.
The Nittany Highland Pipe Band has been performing bagpiping music since 1973. To put the time interval in perspective, in the band’s first year, “M*A*S*H*” was a hit on television, gas was 39 cents per gallon and the Miami Dolphins were the Super Bowl champions. And since that time, the band has performed regularly throughout central Pennsylvania, playing traditional Irish and Scottish music as well as patriotic American tunes.
Band members wear kilts in the Ancient Forbes tartan, selected to complement Penn State colors.
What prompts someone to join a bagpipe band? Motivations vary among individuals and include family history, love of the music and the marching band experience or curiosity about learning a new form of music.
Molly Buchanan, a veteran bagpiper in the band, said she has always been interested in her Scottish heritage.
“I attended my first Highland Games in Ligonier in 1997, and, after hearing the massed band pipe and drums, I was completely captivated by the sound,” she said. “A few days later, there was a front-page article about the Nittany Highland Pipe Band in the local newspaper. The band was offering free bagpipe lessons and I started on the journey of becoming a bagpiper. I have been associated with the band since and have enjoyed every minute.”
Betsy Gamble, who leads the band as pipe major, shared her interest in the music.
“My dad was very proud of his Scotch-Irish heritage,” Gamble said. “So, when I heard of the piping classes offered by the Nittany Highland Pipe band shortly after his death in 2008, I took the opportunity to learn to play the pipes in honor of my dad and my grandmother.”
Tom Reyburn, the pipe sergeant in the band, shared his thoughts about joining.
“As a lifelong musician, learning to play bagpipes was on my bucket list. It became a passion that challenged my knowledge of music and physics. As a member of the Bellefonte Community Band, our director challenged me to solo ‘Highland Cathedral’ with the band during the 2021 summer season,” said Reyburn. “Playing the part of the piper in Penn State’s production of ‘Brigadoon’ last year was an incredible experience, solo piping in front of a packed audience of several hundred people. Every time I perform in parades or for weddings or memorial services, I am awed by the amount of emotion that bagpiping brings to an event.”
Today, the band continues to thrive and is growing in size. Performances this year have included St. Patrick’s Day parades in Pittston, Girardville, Pottsville and Harrisburg. The band is rehearsing for upcoming engagements in Mifflinburg, Phillipsburg, Milton, Brookville and Lewisburg, as well as State College’s Central PA 4th Fest. When performing, the band enters parades with a dozen pipers, half-a-dozen drummers and a color guard. Musicians range from teenagers to ages 70-plus, and many of the players are family members.
What will it take for the band to reach its 100th anniversary? The band’s mission will help to that end: “to Perform, Promote and Perpetuate the skills and traditions of Highland bagpiping and drumming.”
To accomplish this, the band offers essentially free training in both bagpiping and drumming. Piping students pay a nominal fee for lessons, which is returned to them when they are ready to play with the band. This acts as an incentive to practice and become a bagpiper.
While pipers provide their own instruments, the band provides the kilt and uniform accessories, as well three types of drums for the drum corps. Musicians are always available for parades, parties, birthdays, memorial services, family gatherings, weddings and more. Those who would like to find out more about this unique form of music or learn how to play can contact Reyburn at nhpbtomreyburn@gmail.com.
