Photograph by Dai Sugano

Colleen Carter (left in glass) and Rachel McKee, from the Deeley-Smith School of Irish Dance, apply lipstick prior to their performance.

Prince Charles Pipe Band sounds off at Celtic concert

By Nathan R. Huff

Bagpipes and Celtic songs echoed off the walls of Los Gatos High School's auditorium Feb. 5, as the Prince Charles Pipe Band and Junior Pipe Band entertained the crowd with their 14th annual Celtic Concert fundraiser.


Photograph by Dai Sugano

Barry Brownstein of the Prince Charles Pipe Band sells raffle tickets to help raise funds to send the band to Scotland.




The event also included performances by the Prince Charles Highland Dance Team, the Deeley-Smith Irish Dancers, and Scottish tenor Jimmy Wright.

The Prince Charles Pipe Band is a traditional Scottish bagpipe and drumming group affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America. Founded in 1968, it has trained more than 500 pipers and drummers. They practice weekly, perform several shows a year, and compete in the World Championship competition in Glasgow, Scotland. The annual fundraiser is aimed at helping the team reach Scotland.


Photograph by Dai Sugano

The Prince Charles Pipe Band performed at Los Gatos High School on Feb. 5.




Audience members were treated to traditional and contemporary pieces from both pipe bands Feb. 5. Laurie Parker, spokesperson for the Celtic Concert and mother of piper Ryan Parker, said the bands are classified on a one to four scale based on their level of expertise.

The Prince Charles Pipe Band, which her son advanced to last year, competes at a grade II level, while the Junior Pipe Band, composed of younger players for the most part, competes at grade IV.

Parker said the bands often work with various dance troupes, including the Prince Charles Highland Dance Team and Deeley-Smith Irish Dancers. "They dance for us," Parker said. "And sometimes they need pipers and we're there for them."


Photograph by Dai Sugano

Members of the Deeley-Smith School of Irish Dance perform traditional dances.




Ryan Parker, who turned 17 the day of the concert, has been playing since the fourth grade, and said most of his closest friends are in the band. He credits his grandparents for introducing him to Scottish music.

"My grandpa listens to them, and at his 50th wedding anniversary they had a piper," Ryan said. "I was just blown away, so I had to start playing."

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