Catamount pipe band

Vermont’s World Class Pipe and Drum Band

Catamount Pipe Band is multigenerational organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Scottish music, tradition, and culture. The members of Catamount Pipe Band are dedicated to developing and perfecting their skills as musicians, and as members of the community. In Catamount Pipe Band there is no compromising the virtues of sportsmanship: honesty, integrity, and respect drive the band to compete fairly and to win or lose with grace and dignity.

Chase the Dream, not the competition; the journey is the prize. – Unknown

The idea for Catamount Pipe Band was first breathed into existence in 1998. Iain MacHarg was in his kitchen with Cheryl and Cyrus McQueen, and the idea to create a pipe band in Vermont that was capable of competitive playing was born. The band started with a small initial membership, all of whom were members of the St. Andrew’s Society of Vermont Pipe Band. Iain took on the role of pipe major. Early Catamount Pipe Band practices took place in band member Bruce Watson’s garage. Sadly, as the band was beginning to build its foundation, founding member Cyrus McQueen was lost to cancer, and Cheryl McQueen left the band. The ripple of grief among the small, close-knit membership, the Catamount Pipe Band was abandoned and the idea was set aside for a future endeavor.

A few months later, the dream of a competitive pipe band in Vermont was reignited. Iain looked to his students to begin rebuilding the band membership, and had significant success. Now 2001, Catamount Pipe Band began in earnest and continues strong to this day. The early band lineup was incredibly successful, winning many local and championship contests, and the Catamount habit of striving for victory has continued to this day.

To date Catamount has secured 7 Northeastern Championships from the Capital District Highland Games (2005, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, and one unknown year in grade 3), 7 New England Championships (Grade 4: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2012; Grade 5: 2013, 2017, and one unknown year), and 4 finals placings at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland (10th in 2011, 4th in 2013, 6th in 2015, and 11th in 2018).

Conceived in Iain MacHarg’s kitchen, Catamount Pipe Band was born and raised to be resilient. From a small garage band, through losses, grief, and challenges, Catamount Pipe Band has thrived and grown into an organization strong enough to weather the worst.

Despite the current state of the world, the Catamount family is stronger now than ever. We have wonderful, committed members from Vermont and other New England and eastern seaboard states, and we are working on several new and exciting projects! Check out our Events page to see what we are up to, and head on over to the Join page to find out about getting involved! Not wanting to play, but still want to support our endeavors? Donations to the Catamount Pipe Band are tax deductible, as we are a 501c(3) nonprofit organization!

Join

The Catamount Pipe Band practices once weekly on Tuesday nights from 6:30pm-9:00pm at the Montpelier High School, in the lovely state capitol of Montpelier, Vermont. These practices are attended in person by players who live within a reasonable driving distance, and via Zoom for players who cannot attend in person.