2001-2002

Members:

History:

The VMI Pipes and Drums are a relatively new addition to the VMI scene, first beginning in the spring of 1996. Spawned from the mind of a cadet named Donny Hasseltine and supported by the Superintendent, the band slowly became a reality in the fall of 1996. The Band’s first public performance was Parent’s Weekend, October 13, 1996 with a band of seven pipers and four drummers Following the opening performance, the Band has begun to be a regular part of Friday parades. With the graduation of Donny Hasseltine in the spring of 1997, the Band was tutored by a faculty member, Col. Neel and in the Fall of 1997 the Band began to make more off Post appearances, at the West Point Pipe Clinic, the 1997 Stone Mountain Highland Games, and Christmas street parades. Late in the fall semester, Burt Mitchell, took over instruction of the Pipes and Drums. The Pipes and Drums continued in 1998 to expand performance opportunities with participation in the Attorney General’s Inaugural Ball, the Hermes and Endymion Parades at Mardi Gras, and a performance in the Army Reserve’s 90th Anniversary celebration playing in the Pentagon Courtyard, and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Pipes and Drums have already taken part in the Ligonier Highland Games, South Mountain Games in Atlanta, and Williamsburg Scottish Festival this year, and the Pipes and Drums will continue to seek new opportunities and forums in which to best represent the Institute.

Uniform:

The tartan worn by the Pipes and Drums is the New Market Battlefield Tartan. Named for the battle in which the Corps of Cadets distinguished themselves, the primary colors of the tartan are the school colors of red, yellow, and white, along with blue-gray of cadet uniform. Designed by Cadet Donny Hasseltine and Donald Frasier of Scotland, the tartan also has four minor stripes of Light Blue, Green, Dark Blue, and Black, which represent the four ROTC programs at VMI, that of Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines. The topcoat worn by the Pipe and Drums is the cadet Coatee, which is the standard formal parade uniform for Corps of Cadets .

Contact:

VMI Regimental Band        Maury-Brooke Hall         Lexington, Virginia 24450       540-464-7646        BrodieJA@mail.vmi.edu

    12-Apr-02