Band members wearing different kilts
Saffronpiper
to not worry about pipers all wearing the same uniform, or even the same kilt.
In massed bands you expect to see a variety of dress as every band wears
something different. But what about a non competition band that has everyone
dressed so that none of the pipers look alike ?
This is interesting, but I dont know how this would work, if at all. It does
not seem professional
Any thoughts on this ?
Dave S.
EdASmith
>From: saffro...@aol.com
I agree, Dave, it will look very unprofessional. I've been in competition
bands where we each wore our own kilt for starters, but that was a temporary
situation until we could afford something.
I've also been in a street band that *never* practiced together, but had full
uniforms, and we earned top dollar when we turned out for a parade (and we
split it). We happened to be good players, so we could lend some credibility
to "the look," but people expect a pipe band to look the part. They may not be
able to tell a Gordon from a Hunting Stewart, but they hire the band that looks
most professional for their next gig.
Also (call me old fashioned), there is a difference in discipline between those
who are uniform and those who are not. Keep them uniform, and you will
hopefully instill a degree of loyalty. Let them each wear their own thing, and
you will have a lot of individualists who may - or may not - turn up for a
"band event."
Edward Smith
Burton, Michigan, USA
Andrew & Kristen Lenz
> But what about a non competition band that has everyone
> dressed so that none of the pipers look alike ?
I think this would look odd. Our band's only requirement right now for
the kilt is that the one you have is green, tartan doesn't matter. We
don't have the $$ to have band-issue kilts. Some of the kilts are barely
green, but are close enough, I guess. Eh, it works.
There's a picture at:
http://www.santacruzpipeband.com/scrapbook/benlomond/zooms/bl03zoom.jpg
(I'm not in this picture, I was recovering from tendonitis in my wrists
at that point.)
My personal opinion is that if the band is all over the place with kilts
it will look distracting and give the impression of not being in unison.
But maybe someone out there is doing it and can offer us a picture and insight.
Andrew
--
Andrew & Kristen Lenz
al...@alumni.cse.ucsc.edu
Santa Cruz, California U.S.A.
Michael Le boeuf
thought the grey looked prety good, their was also a very dark green and
black tartan that looked good.
Mike
"Andrew & Kristen Lenz" <al...@alumni.cse.ucsc.edu> wrote in message
news:3B020679...@alumni.cse.ucsc.edu...
MrRobotTow
>to not worry about pipers all wearing the same uniform, or even the same
>kilt.
I've seen this (usually in a new band that cant afford matching uniforms yet)
at a few games, and my opion is that it looks really hideous, out-of-place, and
like a bunch of school kiddies got together to form a HS band. Just very tacky
looking. Just MHO.
Bruce C. Wright
It doesn't cost that much for all of you to have the same uniform (shirt,
tie, etc) _except_ for the kilt, unless some of you are planning to wear
full military with tunic and plaid. (A rather dated look for a civilian band
IMHO). Personally I think it would look a lot better to at least wear the
same shirts, hose, etc.
In the long run you probably want to try to get matching kilts, though it
is an expense. It looks a lot more professional, even for a street band.
In the short run it's reasonable to fill in with whatever people have until
the band can afford to buy uniforms (possibly piecemeal as you can
afford it).
--Bruce
lonepiper81
with the kilt question. What we have decided to do is start with the small
items first, and then work our way to the kilt. We don't look that bad
because we have matching vests, shirts, ties, sporrans, hose, and even
bagcovers. But the way to go is a matching kilt.
Chris
Jeff MacLeod Ramsden
"MrRobotTow" <mrrob...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010516055503...@ng-md1.aol.com...
I agree with Bill, here...it looks out-of-place (I won't go so far as to say
"hideous", though. LOL) A band really should be uniform. Matching
kilts aren't the most important thing, of course....but it sure helps. I
find
that when people look the part, they act the part - just as in the military.
In fact, that's one of the *lesser* reasons I don't play with a band - yes,
yes, yes,
I know that tartan is not a heraldic device, and that anyone can wear any
tartan they wish, etc, etc, but I'd really just rather wear one of my own
when I wear a kilt. (besides, I've spent quite a bit of money on my kilts,
and I'm not crazy about shelling out another $4-700 for another kilt
from someone else's family) I have to say that one of the myraid of
reasons that I'm not playing with the local band here is that they did,
do, and will wear the Seaforth Mac*enzie, and I can't bear the thought
of being seen wearing that. >:( It's like telling a 'Donald to wear
Campbell of Argylle.
The major reasons are, of course, that I wouldn't want to belong to a
band that would accept me - but that's a different issue.
Now a "neutral" kilt might be acceptable.....
--
MacLeòid
----------------------
Jeff MacLeod Ramsden, FSA (Scot)
Regional Vice President Clan MacLeod
Sìol Thorcùil - "I Birn Quhil I Se"
http://www.macleodpacific.org
Bruce C. Wright
> I agree with Bill, here...it looks out-of-place (I won't go so far as to say
> "hideous", though. LOL) A band really should be uniform. Matching
> kilts aren't the most important thing, of course....but it sure helps. I
> find
> that when people look the part, they act the part - just as in the military.
>
> In fact, that's one of the *lesser* reasons I don't play with a band - yes,
> yes, yes,
> I know that tartan is not a heraldic device, and that anyone can wear any
> tartan they wish, etc, etc, but I'd really just rather wear one of my own
> when I wear a kilt. (besides, I've spent quite a bit of money on my kilts,
> and I'm not crazy about shelling out another $4-700 for another kilt
> from someone else's family)
An excellent reason why the kilts (at least) should be owned and paid
for by the band. I know some bands don't do that, but then you get
the inevitable (and reasonable) arguments about wanting to spend
that kind of money on one's own family's tartan, etc.
I've known some people who would wear their family tartan most
of the day but change into the band tartan when the band was playing.
Better not be "regimental" of course ;-).
--Bruce
Jeff MacLeod Ramsden
"Bruce C. Wright" <bcwr...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:3B02F05C...@ix.netcom.com...
> Jeff MacLeod Ramsden wrote:
(snip)
> > In fact, that's one of the *lesser* reasons I don't play with a band -
yes,
> > yes, yes,
> > I know that tartan is not a heraldic device, and that anyone can wear
any
> > tartan they wish, etc, etc, but I'd really just rather wear one of my
own
> > when I wear a kilt. (besides, I've spent quite a bit of money on my
kilts,
> > and I'm not crazy about shelling out another $4-700 for another kilt
> > from someone else's family)
>
> An excellent reason why the kilts (at least) should be owned and paid
> for by the band. I know some bands don't do that, but then you get
> the inevitable (and reasonable) arguments about wanting to spend
> that kind of money on one's own family's tartan, etc.
Hear! Hear! Yes, that would probably make a difference, at least for
*me*, anyway. I wouldn't mind wearing another tartan (depending
on the tartan, of course) so much if I didn't have to pay for it, and only
had to wear it for band performances.
>
> I've known some people who would wear their family tartan most
> of the day but change into the band tartan when the band was playing.
> Better not be "regimental" of course ;-).
I do, too! That's probably what I'd do - and changing kilts isn't difficult
once you get used to it. ;)
Calum
> Now a "neutral" kilt might be acceptable.....
>
> -
Laugh, I hear you say. But that is the exact reason the London Scottish
(and others? Don't know) wear kilts of hodden grey. It was invented by
Lord Elcho (who is in fact a vague relation of mine...small world
syndrome...) to prevent anybody being insulted at having to wear the
'wrong' kilt. So there.
Cheers,
Calum
Brian Erbe
kilts, especially if you have military style jackets, and plaids. My band,
being small with little funds is in the process of getting band kilts, but for
now each wears his own. We do have matching jackets, hose, flashes, shirts and
hats, and with all that together it's not bad, could be better,but not bad.
However, being down in Florida it's a little too hot most of the year to wear
jackets, and even ties at times. With just the shirt and tie, the mis-matched
kilts don't look to bad. It's very casual looking and for a lot of the
performances we do (were mostly a performance band and not competition) it
looks fine. I have even had some audience members mention that they liked the
mis-matched look better. It added more color (not that kilts aren't colorful
enough). Anyway, I would think that the level and size the band is playing at,
combined with whether it is a competition or performance band/event should make
the decision. I couldn't even emagine a grade 1 band in competition wearing
different kilts, or for that matter the Air Force Band in mismatched kilts, but
for a small band playing a local heritage festival in 95 degree weather, it
works.
Brian Erbe