Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and drawing pipers and drummers from lower Michigan and northwest Ohio, the Ann Arbor Pipes and Drums competes at Scottish Highland Games throughout the Midwest. The band's parades and concerts are generally in Southeast Michigan. The band wears the Royal Stewart tartan.

The band was organized as a Grade V band in 1993 and began competing in 1995. In 1996, it took a first at the Illinois St. Andrew Games. The following year, it made the jump to Grade IV and immediately achieved its first win at the Detroit St. Andrew's Games.

Ambitious fund-raising efforts enabled it to travel to Glasgow, Scotland, to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships in August, 1997. This is the premier event of the pipe band world and, representing Michigan and the United States, the band was rated 16th in its grade.

In both 1999 and 2000, the band repeated its wins in Detroit. In 2001, it tied for third in the Midwest Pipe Band Association's championship ranking and was second in 2003 and 2004.

To accommodate a steadily expanding roster, in 2002 the band began fielding both a Grade V and a Grade IV competition corps. Individual pipers and drummers in both grades in the band have consistently received prizes, including many firsts, at the various Games at which the band competes. Pipe Major Robert Droppleman has been designated "Piper of the Day" on several occasions, as has Pipe Sergeant Ewan Macpherson.

The band concluded its 2002 season by entering the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario, at which the Grade V corps placed third. In 2003, the Grade IV corps took first place at the Alma Highland Festival, and 2004, took a first at the Milwaukee Highland Games. In 2005, the Grade IV and V corps were re-integrated. Competing in 2006 in Grade IV, the band won first place at the Illinois St. Andrew's Society Games in Chicago and at the Ohio Scottish Games.

The band is always looking for new members and can usually provide or arrange for lessons in piping and drumming. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Pipe Major or Manager.

Contact Information

For general information, to inquire about engaging the band, or for tuition requests, please contact:

Practice Times and Locations

Practices are usually held on Sunday afternoons from 12:30-4:30 pm.

Our indoor practice venue (~Oct-April) is the parish hall at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church near downtown Ann Arbor. The church is located at the corner of Catherine and Division, with parking on the east side off Catherine St. Be aware that Division is 1-way going north and Catherine is 1-way going west. Please use only the east (rear) door to the parish hall, near the loading ramp. Here is an interactive map of this location.

During the summer months we play outdoors in County Farm Park in Ann Arbor. This is off Platt Road, just south of Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor; the entrance is across from the autobody shop at 2231 Platt; here is a map to the park (actually, to the bodyshop). Note that you cannot turn left onto Platt if west-bound on Washtenaw; go south on Huron Parkway and come back up Platt instead. You can also find the park on the 'Southeast Ann Arbor' map in the phone book.

Please confirm that a practice is going ahead before coming to hear us; our practice schedule over the summer months is somewhat erratic due to performances and other events.

For upcoming scheduled practices/events check the event calendar.

Performances

Performance schedule for 2007:

Friends of the Ann Arbor Pipes & Drums

If you would like to receive irregular emails alerting you of upcoming A2P&D events, contact the web-laird.

If you would like to give us money (!), see contact info above.