OCt.22 Practice in Rochester, NH

Last weeks practice for the seacoast group was held at Mel's in Rochester. The reason was that there was a group of hi-schoolers from Ireland touring the country and they were stopping in at Mel's for dinner. Also invited over were local hi-school kids and we thought that this may be a good time to expose some new people to the joys of bagpiping.

So we held our normal practice in the back room and later went out front and put on an impromptu show for them. Before we (Tom, Little Gunny and Sarah, Roy and myself. Kathy was also there but her throat was way too sore as she is getting ready to have her tonsils removed this week.) started, I asked for a show of hands of how many people there liked bagpipe music? Got a overwhelming response. Then I asked how may people there hated bagpipe music. Got one hand raised. It was a old bearded guy next to me that had his hand raised. Curiously he also had a set of pipes laying on his shoulder. I told Tom to take his hand down and we commenced to play.

We started with the ?Scotland the brave? set. Tom then went into ?Itchy fingers?, I think we both played ?Rose of Allendale?. I came back with ?Scots Wha Ha'e? Tom joined in. We may have played one or two more things that I have forgotten now and then finished up with ?Ode to Joy?.

It looked like every one had a good time, we enjoyed it. We missed every one that weren't there. Remember, If you live in the Seacoast area, and want to see what playing the bagpipes are all about. Looking to learn about how to get started, or just set in hear them. We hold a practice just about every Thursday at around 6:30pm At the American Legion Hall, Post 7 in Rochester, NH.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk

In the rain, in the snow, people came out from all over to take part in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Manchester this past Sunday (Oct, 18th). And we were there.

As we have done in past years, the band started off the walk and then played until every one walked past us. It seemed to me that even with the rain and the snow, as many if not more people and teams came out as I have seen in past years.

Thursday night in Rochester

As you may all ready know, every Thursday night members of the Seacoast branch of the band gather to practice, learn new tunes or to improve there skills. This last Thursday (October 15)We had Betty, Cheryl, Kathy, Sally, Little Gunny and Tom. Jack also showed up which was a nice surprise for everyone. Some of us worked on scales while a small group practice Amazing Grace and Scotland the Brave working out the kinks in the grace notes of both of those tunes.

Betty had brought in her new set of pipes and Tom helped her turn it int a "goose" that she could practice on during the week. A Goose is nothing more then a pipe set with the drones removed and the stocks plugged. This leaves the player with only the chanter to worry about. This is one way to help develop good bag control and a steady tone without using a lot of air.

After a break down the hall from where we practice in, four of us (Tom, Jack, Sally and myself) fired up the pipes and worked on Scotland the Brave Set, Irish Set, 6/6 Set, Nation Set, and other tunes as the mood struck us. We also practiced counter marching and commands.

Next week the weekly session will be held at
Mel Flanagan's Irish Pub & Caf? .http://www.melflanagans.com/

The reason is that there is a Irish school group that is touring the country that will be there. Tom will be piping the dancers and this might help in raising some interest in learning to pipe.

So if you are reading this and think that you may like to learn to play, stop in and say hello.

Deerfield fair

Don't forget the performance at the Deerfield fair this Saturday Oct 3. Uniform is full kit with white shirt, black polo, sweater (won't be that warm ), rain cape (won't be that dry) and tie. The Bus will be a gate E like last year.

I would suggest getting there early at the roads generally are crowed with wall to wall traffic.

Old Home Day Parade 2008 Londonderry,nh

If you remember our parade in Londonerry, or if you don't. The good people that ran the parade also had someone take photos of every group that marched in it and placed it on a website.

The web page can be found by copying and pasting the address below the photo into your web browser.
http://www.londonderrynh.net/?p=4097

This is what they wrote about us:

"Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipe & Drums – Largest Hibernian Pipe & Drum band in New England, formed in 1998 and based in Manchester, NH. They have approximately 20 or more in the band plus a color guard. Of special note, they went to Ireland this April to play in Derry, Keady and Galway. They wear the Irish National Kilt and also have played in Boston, New York, Montreal as well as West Point (Army)."

Nice website go and take a look.

Playing at the Highland Games?

Hello everyone,

Roy sent me this e-mail that I am passing on for him for you information.

Bob could you send out an inquiry to see if anyone wants to play at the highland games..I need to know soon like yesterday hahaha
they would have to make a commitment to Sat and Sunday.? We would receive 15 weekend tickets. We would play at the mast bands on the opening and closing also may play on Sunday on the parade ground.
Thanks
Roy

Upcoming events.

Sorry, but I still seem to be having a problem with my e-mail carrier so I tryed it again a different way, hoping that everyone got it. I am also as you can see, posting this to the AOH Blog that is now part of our website. I think that this will be easier for everyone to get to. Anyway, the following is what we have ahead for now.

Veterans' Memorial Park

AOH Pipes and Drums Band to play at Veterans' Memorial Park in
Manchester on Sunday, Aug 23 at 1:00 PM Members are to meet at Henry
J. Sweeney Post #2 at 11:30 AM. Dress is white shirts -  Ties and ribbons
 We are the main feature at the Ceremonies so George would like to have a good attendance.

Any questions or if you are not attending - please call Tom Martineau, Pat
Boyle or George Smith.

Seacoast Bus

Leaves Hallas at 8:00am
            Springvale at 8:45am
            Rochester at 9:30am
            Dover at 10:00am


Dover,Nh Elks

We have a performance at Sept. 4th  the Dover,Nh Elks on Route 108, Dover. Please show up no later then 6:00pm. Kilt, black polo and all the rest. Also performing will be the "Cam Ceoil" band and Irish Step Dancers. There will also be an Open Celtic Music Session, open to all musicians.

 The event sponsors are the Strafford County, Div. 1 AOH, Ladies AOH and the Seacoast Irish Cultural Association.



DeerField Fare info:

When: Oct. 3 2009
Time: 8:00am
Uniform: Kilt, Black polo and all the rest.

Seacoast Bus:
 Hallas at 5:15am
 Springvale at 6:00am
 Rochester at 6:45am
 Dover at 7:15am

We will have two Main Stage performances at 10:30am and 1:30pm.

Bob Stock