Held every Wednesday night at the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department Training Academy from 7 PM to 9 PM. All members of the band come out. The pipers typically spend 30 min to 1 hour on practice chantors while the drummer work on drum pads. Then the band comes together on full pipes and drums to practice for the up coming event at hand.

Beginner instruction

Held prior to regular band practice from 6 PM to 7 PM or by appointment. Sessions are held for those “off the street” with little or no experience in either bag piping or drumming. Our veteran players, the Pipe Major and Drum Sergeants work with the beginners. They are shown how to play the respective instruments.

Pipers need to purchase a practice chantor, reed and music books. Drummers need to purcharse sticks and a music book. When the student is deemed ready they are progressed on to the music of our street performances. Eventually, the pipers purchase their bag pipes and begin learning to play all over again. Drummers will eventually be issued a drum (snare or tenor).

All beginners must perform an audition for the Pipe Major and the Drum Sergeants to prove they are ready to participate with the full band in performances.

If you are interested in joining and learning one of these instruments, please contact Pipe Major Steve Cochran.