The Pipe Major is the director of bagpipe music in a Scottish or Irish pipe band. Like the appointment of Drum Major, the position of Pipe Major is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term Sergeant Piper was used for the role in place of "Pipe Major".
Civilian and military pipe bands usually assign a Pipe Major. Apart from being an outstanding musician, a Pipe Major should by tradition be an educated person well-versed in the history of bagpipe music as well as the history of their clan or regiment. The Pipe Major of a pipe band is usually assisted by a Pipe Sergeant.
Whether it is a civilian or military pipe band, the Pipe Major is usually responsible for:
- Band administrative work
- Selection, compilation and arrangement of tunes for the band's repertoire
- Acting as a musical director and leading band rehearsals
- Coordination of the band's performance schedule
- Conducting and arranging for solo performance at weddings, funerals, dinners, and other functions
- Training learning and beginning pipers
Read more about Pipe Major: British Army, Canadian Forces
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Whose blood and judgment are so well commingled
That they are not a pipe for Fortune’s finger
To sound what stop she please.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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—Lawrence Balter (20th century)