Massive thanks to The Big Rab Show for running this series of “5 What’s” and including our wee band from Raleigh, North Carolina 🇺🇸 in the mix.
Many thanks to Mr Joe Brady who responded to our "5 Whats" for Wake and District.
1) What is the furthest your band has travelled to play?
We’re in the United States separated by so much geography, so everywhere we travel to play is a long haul. Furthest in terms of distance though would be a tie for Maxville and Chicago. Maxville seems more exotic as we have to bring our passports.
2) What makes your band unique from others in the Piping world?
Wake and District was formed as a “service band” first and foremost. That said, I remember the first time the band competed at the Loch Norman games and hearing comments of “their just a service band”; we won that day for what it’s worth. The following year in Washington D.C. at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service – other police bands referred to us as a “competition band”. We came full circle in this can’t win moment. Like many bands, our members are police officers, lawyers, engineers, students, machinists, Doctors to name but a few and all are tremendous individuals who share the common goal of being a successful and competitive pipe band with a focus on music, mission and members. Today, our band continues to exist thanks to the ongoing support of the public safety professionals throughout the North Carolina; we are proud of our long history with them.
3) What was one of the most notable moments in the bands history?
So many amazing moments, especially being in service to police an fire agencies and honoring their fallen comrades. A moment that mattered for the band was in 2017 when we made a goal at our January Annual General Meeting to march off the field with both our G5 and G3 band winning first place at a competition. In October we attended the Scotland County (NC) games where both bands placed first. Sadly, the massed band/awards ceremony was abbreviated a bit and the announcements were conducted a bit informally and the winning bands were not brought forward to march off the field as we were not on the field – we were in front of a stage. After all of the bands were formally dismissed – our G3 and G5 formed up and marched back to our band tent area playing Castle Dangerous. As we marched down the dirt road, other bands and soloists parted the road stopping to applaud. It was a notable moment for sure.
4) What is the recruitment process for the band?
Like most bands, we teach from the ground up – offering new pipe and drum classes yearly. We keep our rehearsal open to the public. When it comes to recruitment – we can’t read minds. We are always seeking musicians who can contribute at our varied band levels and who are prepared to make a commitment to the band on and off the field.
5) What would you say is the bands Signature set/tune?
Castle Dangerous is our tuning tune. During our tune up process at rehearsals, events or contests – seeing(hearing) the lead NCO turn in and we all begin to play Castle Dangerous as a group is a polarizing moment every time for me; it signifies that BAND READY moment. Castle Dangerous also plays every note on the chanter 😉
Again thank you to Mr Joe Brady. If your band would like to feature and respond to our "5 Whats" please email us, bigrabshow@gmail.com.