DAVIS COUNTY—It would be difficult to find someone who doesn’t have an opinion on the bagpipes. The traditional instrument of Scotland, they are known the world over, and either loved and cherished, or despised, but the executive committee chairman of the Wasatch and District Pipe Band thinks there’s a simple explanation as to why some people don’t like the sound.

“I had a band teacher that hated the bagpipes,” Daniel Schneider said chuckling. He went on to explain that the pipes themselves are an extremely difficult instrument to play and that those that don’t like them, may simply have not heard them played well. But playing the bagpipes well is what the Wasatch and District Pipe Band excels in.

It all started almost 20 years ago when Schneider and a handful of others found that, “there wasn’t anything around that met our needs (as a pipe band).” Thus, the Wasatch and District Pipe Band was formed. After forming the non-profit, and choosing the MacTavish Tartan (familial pattern) for their kilts, they really hit the ground running.

Schneider explained that when it comes to pipe bands, generally comprised of highland bagpipes, Scottish snare drums, tenor drums, and bass drums, there is a unique scale to tell the proficiency of each with an international ranking scale of 1-5, with 1 being the best rating possible. While there are beginners in other levels of The Wasatch and District Pipe Band, at the top of their ranks, they can boast a Grade 2 group.

“There aren’t many Grade 2 bands in North America,” said Schneider, and he is correct. At last count, there were less than three dozen Grade 2 pipe bands in the entire country, which is definitely nothing to sneeze at. In speaking of the competitions the band takes part in, Schneider even said, “We have to be picky where we go,” simply because they may be too busy otherwise.

That hasn’t stopped them from performing all over the world: from the Highland Games here in Utah to Seattle, Canada, and even Scotland for the World pipe Band Championship. Travel like this, though exciting and prestigious, can come with it’s own set of challenges. The pipes themselves, Schneider explained, have four different reeds that all behave differently, and need to acclimate to each climate they perform in.

Still, it’s worth it, Schneider says, citing an audience member who approached him following a performance who said, “There’s something about the bagpipes that speaks to me emotionally,” a sentiment with which Schneider heartily agreed. But how does one get started in traditional Scottish music? Many schools don’t offer beginners bagpipes, (though some do), so where does a person interested in this start?

For Davis County residents, there’s perhaps no better place than with the Wasatch and District Pipe Band. Though they are extremely proud of their Grade 2 band, there are players of all ages and skill levels in the band, both veterans and those who are just starting out, “We’ve got a lot of fantastic instructors,” said Schneider, saying that they have beginners who are kids and beginners in their 40s. 

With regular concerts, and competitions, there are plenty of opportunities for people to come out and hear an internationally-ranked pipe band based right here in Davis, but what should people expect? Well, when it comes to a regular concert, Schneider says to “just enjoy it,” but with competitions, he had a little more guidance, “Be prepared to leave hearing bagpipes, go explore the different bands,” and “there are other things besides bagpipes.” 

If residents aren’t quite ready for something like that, Schneider did mention that their music is available on Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify for those who want to get a taste of what they have to offer before coming to a concert.