“It takes dedication to learn the instrument,” said MVPD Secretary-Treasurer John Ross.
Fortunately, “you get a year of free bagpipe lessons as long as you make the cut,” said Musical Director Richard Parker.
The veteran members explained that the bagpipe isn’t like most instruments. “You wouldn’t play it in an orchestra,” Parker said.
Not only that, but the scale that pipers follow is different than what our modern Western musical ears are used to hearing. “It’s mixolydian,” Parker explained, referring to one of the church modes that dates back to ancient medieval times.
Nevertheless, the 22-member group has a short waiting list of people who want to learn to play the pipes and perform with them.
About 70 percent of the band are adult learners. Prior experience playing a musical instrument is helpful but not essential. “If you have no musicality, you have to learn to read music and tempo,” Ross said. “Half wash out.”
Drummers, including Jeremy Bennett, also comprise the group. “I’ve been playing drums all my life,’ said Bennett, one of the band’s youngest members. “I went to Scotland and when I came back, I said to myself, I really need to join this band.
“I really like it because of the people,” he said.
Persistence, dedication and teamwork pay off, and the group is in great demand.
“The band has been hired for weddings, parades, funerals, birthday parties, 9/11 flag raisings, church services all over … even the Italian Festival,” Parker said.
MVPD will be performing this weekend at the Ohio Scottish Games in Wellington. Their next high-profile local appearance will be at the three-day United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival, which kicks off Friday, July 29, at RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton.
On the first Tuesday of the month, the group practices from 6- 8 p.m. at the Abiding Christ Lutheran Church in Fairborn. On all other Tuesdays, they rehearse at Westminster Presbyterian Church on First Street in downtown Dayton. Prospective members are welcome to come and listen.
For more info, visit www.mvpipesdrums.org the band's Facebook page.
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