Manchester Regional Police & Fire Pipe Band to Play Switzerland

"Nobody is on the fence when it comes to the pipes – either you love them or you hate them,’’ said Ox Gara, drum major for the Manchester Regional Police and Fire Pipe Band. His love of the instrument has taken him across the country and around the world.  “It’s a very strong feeling either way, because of the way [bagpipes] affect you inside.’’

The band – which has members that range from as young as 12 years old to over 65 – is involved in a rigorous rehearsal schedule in preparation for an event that is the Olympics of bagpipes. It’s called the Basel Tattoo, held in Basel Switzerland.  The Manchester band will be the only American bagpipers to play in an event that features groups from England, Australia, Scotland, South Africa, Japan and Tasmania.  The group was also the first American band to play in a similar event in Fulda, Germany in 2009, where they received the invitation to Switzerland.

“For us to play right next to these Scottish regiments with hundreds of years of history – it’s like being invited to the Superbowl and being asked to play, or driving your own car in NASCAR,’’ Gara said. “It’s a dream come true to play with the best in the world.’’  The Basel Tattoo takes place this year July 16-23.

A tattoo is military ceremonial entertainment that dates back to the 1600s in Scotland where military regiments used drum majors to tell bar keepers to turn off the beer taps at night. Over time, the drumming and marching became more elaborate and brass bands were added, Gara explained. The tradition spread across the world with British regiments. The music played at the tattoo today dates to the 1800s from the Scottish regiments of the British Army.

The Manchester band began as a police and firefighter regiment, but today includes people from a range of occupations, men and women, who have a love for the bagpipes.  “People in this band come from all walks of life – a broad spectrum brought together by this peculiar instrument,’’ said Rich Beaulieu,  pipe major for the band. Beaulieu is responsible for the music the band plays and the musical training of the members.

“There is a very emotional appeal to pipes – people either can’t stand them or every time they hear them it makes them cry," said Beaulieu, who has played for over 20 years. “I‘m not at the crying end of scale, but there is something very emotive about the instrument.’’ 

During an evening rehearsal, the halls of the Avery Street Christian Reform Church echo with the sound of bagpipes. With so many players in one room, everyone wears earplugs. They march in a tight formation with bagpipes blaring and drums beating.

“The idea is for that cacophony, that gaggle of pipers, to sound as close to one pipe as possible,’’ Beaulieu said. “ We people have been playing for a year, alongside people who have been playing 20 or 30 years.’’

Tabbi Heavner is one of several women bagpipers in the band. “This will be my 12th parade season,’’ Heavener said, referring to the non-stop engagements the band plays during the month of St. Patrick’s Day. “The crowd is always very excited – it just doesn’t get old.’’

Band members are like a family that has bonded over the years, she said. “And it’s nice to be able to spend a holiday like that with family.’’

Heavner got her bagpipes as a gift from family when she graduated the Hartt School of Music.  “I was always fascinated by the sound of the bagpipes – there is something about the sound that speaks to the soul.’’  

About 27 members of the group will be making the trip to Switzerland. After the main practice is over, the smaller group will sit around a table and play what looks like a recorder. “That is how you hone what you are doing, you can really hear how you are playing‘’ Gara said. We have about 132 days left and there is a lot to do.’’

Thinking ahead to the pomp and pageantry of the Basel Tattoo,  Gara talks about the cheering crowds, the music and fireworks that mark the celebration. “It’s great to hear your national anthem played in a foreign country. It really chokes you up.’’  

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