Welcome

Alabama Pipes and drums is proud to be part of the continuing growth of the pipe band and solo piping and drumming scene in Alabama. From the first historically recorded piper in the state of Alabama, General Nathan Bryan Winfield an immigrant from South Carolina to Demopolis Alabama in 1834, the MacIntosh and MacGillivray immigrants into Alabama's eastern Creek Indian country, and forward through history into modern times, piping has played a small, often obscure but still vital role in the ongoing Scottish and Scots-Irish culture in the State. We are proud to boast over 100 years of collective piping experience from within our own band and are keen to present the very best in piping and drumming the state has to offer.

Alabama Pipes and Drums is a Grade 5 competition pipe band. Founded in 1994 under the name Birmingham Society of Piping, The Alabama Pipes and Drums is proud to be a part of the state's resurgence of interest in Celtic culture. We place a high priority on educating the public about the deep roots of this culture and its vitality and relevance in Alabama and the south. Proudly wearing the Ancient MacDougal tartan, the band is an incorporated 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The Alabama Pipes and Drums is under the leadership of Pipe Major Jim MacRae and Drum Sergeant Scott Bable. Jim MacRae is a Grade 1 piper and former Pipe Major of Alabama Pipes and Drums as well as co-founder of the University of Chicago Pipe Band. Jim has served as both Piper and Pipe Major for several bands through the Midwest Pipe Band Association where he also served as an Associate Adjudicator. Jim has also performed many times at the World Pipe Band Championships with various bands from the Midwest. Jim brings a wealth of piping knowledge to the Pipe Majorship of Alabama Pipes and Drums. Scott Bable is a long-time pipe band percussionist, composer and instructor. Scott holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance and is a Grade I pipe band snare drummer. He is an official Vic Firth Educator and product endorser. Scott is the author of a new score book entitled Drum Scores for Pipe Band Improvement Programs.

We are a warm and family oriented band!!! Come see us!!!

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In Memory

In memory of Allan Vaughn a founding member of the Birmingham Society of Piping and a friend to all. He served as Drum Sergeant and instructor and was a visionary force in our bands development.

Allan had drummed with a number of bands in the southeast. His contributions to the the Pipe Band community will be greatly missed.

Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife Becky and to all that held him dear.

Read The Birmingham News 24, Dec. 2002 article, "He marched to the beat", by Mike Bolton here.

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