08 Kirkin o the Tartan

Before we practice or play, every set of bagpipes needs to be tuned, so they are all playing exactly the same notes. Dan is checking the tuning of Katie's chanter (the part that plays the melody). Jason is holding the tuner.

Dan is tuning Barb's drones (the part that make the constant tone in the background.) The Church organ we're playing with is in a different key than what we normally play. This means we have to adjust everything quite a bit.

This is the tuner.

Beth is adding hemp to make one of her drone stalks tighter so it won't slip and change tone.

Dan is usually giving us quite a bit of direction.

Here we are about to practice with the orchestra.

Another shot of us and the orchestra.

After practicing, we hit our favorite lunch spot, The Fryin' pan

Some don't like to have their picture taken.

Some didn't have any warning.

Obviously a candid shot.

Gotcha.

Dan finally showed up, so we got him tuned.

Jeff and Dan

Beth and Sue

Katie and Jim

Emily and Barb

Here's the church program from the Kirkin' o the Tartan at 1st Presbyterian in Fargo, 2008.