Building Bands for the Next Decade, Not Just the Next Contest

When something in the band isn’t going right — maybe a tune isn’t coming together, or someone is struggling with their part — my first instinct used to be to step in and “fix” it right away. But over time, I’ve realized that a strong pipe band isn’t built just for the next contest, but for the next decade. That means focusing on helping players learn, grow, and build confidence, rather than always solving the problem for them.

It’s not always easy. That “I’ll just fix it” instinct is still there. But if the goal is a healthy, sustainable band, we have to take a longer-term view of people.

When it comes to decisions — whether it’s medley structure, contest strategy, or uniforms — I’ve found it’s better to get the right people in the room and work through it until we agree. In a band, that means including those who will actually have to play the music, march the drill, or execute the decision. We don’t ask people to “buy in” to something they don’t believe in — because sooner or later, that tension shows up in the music, the attitude, or both.

The most valuable players in a band aren’t just the ones who can play well; they’re the ones who can help decide what should be played and how we should play it. We have to listen to them. There aren’t that many truly critical decisions to make in a season — maybe a couple dozen — but those deserve time, discussion, and consensus.

That’s how you build a band that doesn’t just play well this year, but thrives for years to come.

Joe Brady

Founding Member