Making Noise with NEAC

Busy winter approaching.

2008-11-25T15:27:10Z

    For fans of piping and drumming in Northeast Arkansas, Southeast Missouri & extreme West TN.. there are at least 6 chances to see the band in action in the next 3 months. Check the CALENDAR for when and where the band will be.

          We have 4 holiday parades in December (Hoxie, Jonesboro, Paragould and Marion, Arkansas)

         Burns Night (and maybe a Kirking) in Jan;

        and we'll be in Kennett, MO in Feb for an hour long concert.

    7 of us will be traveling to Kansas City in the middle of January for the annual Winter Storm weekend. This weekend compresses some of the best piping and drumming competition in North America, 2 days of instruction, the premier concert in the U.S.; vendors, socializing and more into 3 days, in the dead of winter. It is not to be missed.

    As a part of this effort to get to Winter Storm, we are however asking for help. The registration for the classes runs $120/person. We are taking all 4 of our under 18 year olds for this invaluable experience. That in addition to the hotel rooms, which are $93/night. We are seeking donations of any amount towards this trip. Some has been donated already, but more is needed. If you'd like to help, contact any member of the band and they'll put you in contact with me.

    A new addtion to our online presence and communcation efforts is now up and running. We've set up an online forum, which fans, supporters, parents and of course members can use to hold conversations on just about any topic related to piping, drumming, band life and of course the band itself.   Feel free to drop by, browse, and perferably register. Registering is the first step to being able to see and participate in more of the forums.

neacpipes.mybb3.org

BURNS NIGHT TICKETS NOW ON SALE - Contact any band member

well, that's it for the moment, but there is much much more to come.

More pictures, Burns Night and as always.. recruiting, recruiting, recruiting

2008-11-13T10:57:04Z

Our friend Tina Todd from way over in Jackson has completed uploading all her pics from the Nov 1 Celticfest. Rather than cut and paste a few self serving pictures of ourselves, I'll just give you a link to her gallery.

http://www.pbase.com/ttodd/celtic_fest_2008&page=1

next: We now have tickets in hand for the Jan. 31 2009 Burns Night. $20/adult, $10/ under 12.

You can get them from any band member, we may even be able to leave a few at the church. or you can use paypal to fireham@yahoo.com and we'll have them at the door for you as a "will call".

Lastly: Recruiting. We are always looking for new bodies interested in starting on the pipes or drums. All you have to do is show up at a regular Sunday practice (starts at 1:30pm) and we'll go from there.

David.

Jonesboro ROTC Military Ball - Amazing Grace

2008-11-09T02:04:26Z

And here's Amazing Grace from the same event. If you think this sounds good, imagine how good we sound in person, when you hire us?

Jonesboro ROTC Military Ball - Parade Set

2008-11-09T01:59:30Z

Here's our parade set from the 2008 Military Ball

Jonesboro Military Ball - How we sounded.

2008-11-09T01:47:44Z

I think we're making some improvement!

Youtube Videos

2008-11-04T22:28:48Z

Just a reminder, that we have and are always adding, Youtube Video's that take a student through the College of Piping "Green Book"

Good for between lesson reminders.

http://www.youtube.com/NEACaledonians

Jackson, TN Celtic "Success" Fest!

2008-11-03T23:46:16Z

On an absolutely perfect day, the band traveled to Jackson, TN to play at the 3rd annual "Celtic Fest" which celebrates all 7 Celtic Nations, though Scotland and Ireland seemed most prevalent.

Other acts we shared time with were local groups: The Minstrels with Cara-Ann, Will Tell, and all the way from Texas - Needfire-.

We led the clans in (pic) (pic), got in a bit of between performance practice (pic) (pic), Laughed a bit (pic), and then closed the day (pic). We'd like to thank Scott Aday for the link to his Flickr site and the pics.



Not sure if an audition was captured here, but the kids did seem to have fun.

Some practice.. some keep in touch.



And here's the venue:



Already looking forward to next year.

Arkansas Fallen Heroes Memorial Motorcycle Run 2008

2008-10-27T21:34:41Z

Hey,

I have sent you a link to a video that Polley did for the Arkansas Fallen Heroes Memorial Motorcycle Run 2008. I know that you'll enjoy it as much as I.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=45388395

Rob Hopper

Busy rehearsal day.

2008-10-27T12:32:03Z

It was a busy rehearsal day this Sunday.

First, in preparation for the Jackson, TN Celtic Fest on Nov 1, we had a dress rehearsal where all personnel wore what "kit" they had, and we issued vests to as many as we had vests for. This not only made sure we knew who had what, but got some pictures too.

Next, we happily admitted 3 drummers officially to "the circle" taking our performance band up to 10 strong. Congratulations to Keith Pringle (Bass), Laura Darley (Snare) and Jasmine Gill (Snare).

Since we were all dressed up, and it's always good to practice your performance for an audience.. we mosey'd a couple of doors down to the Jonesboro Healthcare nursing home and played or entire performance (minus one set I forgot) for the residents that were able to come outside. The weather was great and we hope they enjoyed or efforts.

We hope to see many of you over at the CelticFest in Jackson on Nov 1.

3 make the grade as "PIPER"

2008-10-07T19:36:45Z

Above, L to R: Derek Reed, Ty Damron & AK Campbell show the NEAC bag covers and McCallum band chanters they earned in the last 2 weeks by passing the NEAC audition for elevation to the rank of "Piper".

Both Derek, a student at Ridgefield Christian School in Jonesboro, and Ty a "truckie" on the Jonesboro Fire Dept both began lessons with NEAC and have now graduated from the practice chanter, to pipes, now to being a member of our performance band.

AK, a masters level student at ASU, came to us already on the pipes and has continued to progress with lessons both from NEAC and another instructor in Conway. Her progress has been rapid despite a heavy student course load.

To earn their bag cover and chanter, each person on any instrument must play for the Pipe Major the 5 primary tunes the band uses to enter an event, 3 tune "set" and exit. The tunes must be played by memory and to a minimum level of proficency.

We welcome these three to our circle!

Pipers & Drummer play at 1/2 scale Vietnam "Wall that Heals"

2008-10-02T11:41:24Z

AK (above), Danny, Dannie and David all played throughout the weekend of Sept 25-27. The Double D's (Danny & Dannie) covered the opening ceremony, David the Friday evening candlelight ceremony, and AK (following her 3 big tests at ASU on Friday) covered the Saturday Morning event.

I've heard nothing but wonderful comments from people on this, and believe the organizers may even be sending a "thank you" contribution our way.

Thanks everyone for going out of you way, taking your spare time to participate.

Burns Night 2009: Date set and planning under way.

2008-10-02T11:30:06Z

A Date has been set, and planning is underway for our first Burns Night / Awards Banquet.

The date will be Saturday, January 31st 2009.
Location: First Presb. Church, Jonesboro, AR
Time: Likely 5 or 6pm
This will be a formal dress event
And we will be selling tickets to cover the cost of the event. Likely in the $20 range.

For more information, contact any member of the band.

Planning documentation

Results and pictures from CLANJAMFRY: A Scottish Festival

2008-09-25T12:14:41Z

Above you se 6 of the 7 competitors. From left to right:
David Corbett / MC - NEAC
Kevin Bable / Tenor - NEAC
Andy Abernathy / Pipes - Sgt W. K. Singleton Pipes and Drums
Derek Reed / NEAC - Practice Chanter (pipes)
Jasmine Gill / NEAC - Practice Pad (snare)
Laura Darley / NEAC - Practice Pad (snare)
Dannie Vaughn / NEAC - Snare
Not pictured. Jake / Sgt. W. K. Singleton on practice chanter.

It turned out to be a beautiful day, the potential rain did not appear and all the kids did great under some unusual circumstances for piping competition. It's unusual to have more than 1 or 2 people watching a given player during competition in sanctioned events, here, where all but one or 2 of these kids have never competed before at all, they had upwards of a hundred spectators. Well done, well done indeed!

Mr Jim McRae from Birmingham, AL was the piping judge, and Scott Bable from Southaven the percussion judge.

The prizes went this way:

Practice chanter: Derek Reed (NEAC) - First. Jake (SS) - 2nd
Pipes: Andy Abernathy (SS) - First
Tenor: Kevin Bable (NEAC) - First
Practice Pad: Jasmine Gill (NEAC) - First. Laura Darley (NEAC) - 2nd
Snare: Dannie Vaughn (NEAC) - First.

In addition there was a prize for the most promising young player. The prize, a 28" bass drum head played by, and signed by the entire Scottish Lion 78th Fraser's Grade one band out of Ontario, Canada, went to Danny Vaughn.

Dannie took his first lesson on any instrument, in this case the Snare about 18 or so months ago. he has now competed in sanctioned and unsanctioned competitions, and has already played at numerous events in public. A 6th grader at Hoxie High School, he stands out amoung all our up and coming players, in all the local bands as someone to keep a close eye on for the future. At this progression rate, the very -near- future. Congratulations Dannie!

For more pictures of the event and these youth in competition go to http://www.neacaledonians.com/images/clanjamfry2008/index.htm

Applicants for Drum Major wanted.

2008-09-18T14:46:06Z

The Northeast Arkansas Caledonian Pipes and Drums is now seeking individuals interested in filling the position of Drum Major.

The band is growing rapidly and feels it is time to step up to the next level.

The Drum Major would preferably have some military experience, have a musical background, preferably in a marching band.

This critical position focuses on Dress and Deportment, as well as fulfilling a role of public interface between the band and any event officials. She / He will also be responsible for assuring the band improves in marching technique. We also hope the successful Drum Major will be open to taking part in sanctioned Drum Major competitions when available.

The band will aid with training, however the candidate must be self motivated, and team oriented to succeed and obtain the position.

For more information contact David Corbett at 901-233-2903 or fireham@yahoo.com.

A bit of a different look than High School DM's

WREG, Channel 3 / Memphis's "Live at 9" program

2008-09-17T14:57:22Z

To help promote piping, CLANJAMFRY: A Scottish Festival, and the youth competition, I was able to play and participate in an interview on WREG's Live @ 9 program today.

Go to: www.wreg.com/Global/category.asp?C=53326&nav=menu93_2_5

and choose the Sept 17th program. About 10min in.

David.

End of the year, to be very busy! Upcoming events and gigs

2008-09-12T10:53:15Z

Ladies, Gents and fans:

This year has been a great surprise, and great fun. We have 4 months to go in 2008, and they look to be chock full of opportunities to play, recruit and maybe even put a couple of bucks in the bank.

So far here's the upcoming events:

Sept:
20th, Clanjamfry in Memphis. Some are competing, hosting, or presenting. Everyone that possibly can, please attend. We may even find an opportunity to play a bit.

Oct:
4th, 4th Annual AR Fallen Heroes Memorial Motorcycle Run" this is sort of a poker run, with people leaving from Jonesboro, Marion and other points, gathering at Villiage Creek State Park. Danny and David plan to ride in this and play for them. If you're interested, let us know and we'll get you further details.

11 & 12th, ASU Rugby games. Just some fun to watch, and play a bit as a pep band.

Nov:
1 Jackson, TN Celtic Fest. Paid Gig for the band.

8 Craighead County Veterans Military Ball. Sat night @ 6pm. Everybody that can make it and play.

11 Veterans Day Parade. Tuesday morning, if you can, great, if not no worries.

Dec:
2 Paragould Christmas Parade
4 Jonesboro Christmas Parade
6 Hoxie Christmas Parade

Then we're into 2009, with a Burns Night, Workshops, St Patty's day & our first year of band competition to be ready for.

Lets Get-er Done! (sorry, couldn't resist)

Members Smooze at Jackson, MS Celticfest

2008-09-07T09:53:46Z

Pipe Sgt Danny Vaughn and David Corbett traveled down to Jackson, MS for their annual CelticFest. The host band even invited us to march with and participate in their demonstrations before the good sized crowd, despite us remaining in Jeans instead of kilts.

I got to get re-aquainted with some old friends, and we both made several new ones. Below is Danny and the Father of Waters Pipes and Drums, tenor drummer.

Robert Gill earns his bag cover

2008-08-27T22:50:39Z

Robert earned his NEAC bag cover Sunday! Way to go Robert!

Members open International Student Dinner

2008-08-27T22:47:51Z

On August 18th, The First Presb. Church where we practice, hosted a dinner for well over 100 incoming international students. The students, most of which are post graduate level, came from many different countries, on all continents.

Danny and David represented the band and opened the event with a couple of tunes. They can be seen here in the center of the picture.

Also present were the Pastor's of First Presb. a local Lutheran church, a professor representing the local Imam and representatives of Arkansas State Univ.

Lyon College pipers open for NightRanger

2008-08-20T16:17:48Z

Pipe band rocks concert

Four members of the pipe band joined local rock band Doghouse on stage to open for Night Ranger at the White River Water Carnival. Left to right is John Coates (current student), Gavin Stewart (freshman in 2009), Nancy Love (transfer student in 2008), and Kenton Adler (Lyon staff). The group played the AC-DC tune, "It's A Long Way To The Top" to a very appreciative audience.

http://www.lyon.edu/news/Articles/pipedoghouse.htm