Seattle’s Welcoming Home for Pipers and Drummers
Having Fun Since 1992
Are you drawn to the stirring sounds of bagpipes and drums? The Elliott Bay Pipe Band has been Seattle’s musical home for pipers and drummers of all experience levels since 1992. Whether you’re fascinated by Scottish music but have never played before, or you’re an experienced musician looking for a new band home, we welcome you to our community.
We prioritize creating music that’s enjoyable to play, sounds great, and connects with our Seattle community. While we do participate in regional competitions at grades 4 and 5, our heart lies in performances at local events like St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, our annual Father’s Day concert at the Ballard Locks, and Burns Night festivities.
Our band operates through collaborative leadership where every voice matters. We believe that great music happens when everyone contributes their talents and ideas in a supportive environment. Ready to be part of Seattle’s bagpipe tradition? Read on to discover how you can join our musical family. 🎵🏴
Beginner Information
Start Your Bagpipe or Drumming Journey
New to the world of bagpipes or Scottish drumming? You’ve found the perfect starting point. While we don’t offer formal lessons, the Elliott Bay Pipe Band provides something equally valuable – a supportive community where you can grow through mentorship and practice.
Here’s how we support new players:
- Experienced mentors who share their knowledge and offer guidance during rehearsals
- Resources and recommendations for instructional materials and local or online teachers
- A low-pressure environment where questions are welcomed and mistakes are just part of learning
- Gradual introduction to performing with no expectation to play publicly until you’re ready
You don’t need Scottish heritage or prior musical experience to join us – just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Many of our current members started with us as beginners and have developed into confident musicians through our supportive approach.
For new pipers, we recommend starting with a practice chanter (an affordable learning instrument) before investing in full bagpipes. Drummers typically begin with a practice pad to develop fundamental skills. We’re happy to provide advice on purchasing these starter instruments and connecting you with resources to begin your journey. We also have scholarships available to help support the purchase of beginning instruments. Just ask!
Experienced Musicians
Find Your Musical Home in Seattle
Already have piping or drumming experience? The Elliott Bay Pipe Band offers a refreshing balance of musical quality and genuine camaraderie. Whether you’re returning after a break, relocating to Seattle, or looking for a band that better matches your priorities, we’d love to meet you.
As an experienced player, you’ll appreciate our:
- Regular performance opportunities at Seattle events and celebrations
- Collaborative approach to music selection and arrangement
- Democratic band structure where your voice and ideas matter
- Balance of musical growth with a supportive, enjoyable atmosphere
We perform a mix of traditional and contemporary Scottish music, with a repertoire that includes both crowd-pleasing favorites and more challenging pieces. Our members range from those with a few years of experience to veterans with decades of playing – creating a rich environment where everyone continues to learn and develop.
There’s no formal audition process – we invite you to attend a practice, meet the band, and see if we’re the right fit for your musical goals. Many of our members have found a long-term musical home with us after trying other bands that were either too competitive or not structured enough.
Practice Schedule
Join Us in Seattle’s Roosevelt District
We rehearse every Thursday evening from 7–9 PM in Seattle’s Roosevelt neighborhood (6801 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115). Our practice location is easily accessible from I-5 and has ample parking available.
What to expect at your first practice:
- A warm welcome from band members
- An introduction to our current repertoire
- The opportunity to listen or play along as you feel comfortable
- A chance to meet potential mentors and ask questions
- A glimpse of our band culture and approach
Our practices balance focused musical work with a friendly, supportive atmosphere. We typically spend time on technique development, working on new music, and refining our performance pieces. The evening often concludes with a full band play-through and sometimes social time afterward.
No need to to make a formal appointment, but it’s good for us to know that you’re coming so we can help you find our rehearsal room – just bring your instrument (or just yourself if you’re still deciding) and join us any Thursday evening. If you have other questions before attending, feel free to contact our EBPB President Gavin Patterson at smapipes@gmail.com or (206) 331-1915.
Ready to become part of Seattle’s bagpipe and drumming community? We look forward to welcoming you to the Elliott Bay Pipe Band family!
Q: Does it cost anything to join the band?
A: Members pay dues which total $200 a year ($20 a month for ten months). This goes to help cover the costs of things such as renting rehearsal space, reeds and drum heads. There are occasional travel expenses that band members cover if there is an out-of-town performance, but these are infrequent expenses compared to many other bands. We are also happy to help cover costs for musicians who need support. Financial constraints should never be a barrier to participation!
Q: How do I get an instrument?
A: If you are a brand new piper or drummer, you will start on a practice chanter or drum pad, either of which can be purchased online. Pipers move up to full sets of bagpipes, which are owned privately by each musician. If you do not already have a set of pipes, band members can help advise you on where to purchase a new or used set. Drums and harnesses are provided by the band.
Q: Do I have to supply my own outfit?
A: No, the band issues most of the parts of our uniforms (kilt, waistcoat, jacket, glengarry, sporran, flashes) to musicians. The hose (socks) and ties are generally purchased by members, as personal items, which you keep.
Q: How much of a time commitment are we talking about?
A: The band rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm, most of the year. Our practices are held in the basement of a church in the Roosevelt neighborhood of north Seattle, just off of I-5. We routinely take a break in August and September, before starting a new playing season. The number of performances that we do varies, depending on the time of year, but averages to about one a month. This is a much more relaxed performance schedule than other local pipe bands.
Q: Do I need to be an experienced player?
A: No. The band welcomes anyone who is interested in playing, regardless of how long it takes for you to perform at events. Experienced players are able to participate with the band more quickly. We’ve found that musicians who haven’t played for many years are often able to dust off their talent in no time! We also have seasoned piping and drumming instructors in our midst who can help players advance and strengthen their skills.
Q: Do I need to have Scottish heritage?
A: No. Definitely, no.
Q: Do I have to be a certain age to join?
A: No. We’ve had musicians in the band who were as young as 10 and as old as 75. All are welcome.