Learn From the Coach
If you've been in the band for more than a month, you likely know that I am not really, in many ways, a sports fan. Unlike some of us, it is unlikely you'll ever see my face painted green, unless maybe the Speers Funeral people think it would be funny when the time comes. What I do love about watching sports, and the thing I loved about participating when I did on occasion, was that there is a lot that is transferable to a pipe band setting.

We operate as a team, we depend on each other to play well, we need cooperation, team spirit and a common purpose. In pipe bands, we compete with other pipe bands, and we compete with other players in the same band for a spot on the field. Like all of you, I raced home from band and snapped on the TV to see the game. You Winnipeg guys were already soaked in beer and celebrating the win in Toronto, and now we have the best of all possible finals: Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. We expect Rob Bailie to be really wasted regardless who wins. Don't let us down.

Anyway, my larger point is this: I have listened a lot to what Rider Coach Kent Austin has said about his team and its performances since September, and I think there are some transferable things to the CRPB situation. Austin continually stresses that it is the expectation that players will show up ready to play, that they will know their play books, and execute accurately, and when they don't, he doesn't mince words for the team or the media: he just lays it out there. He says what is going well, and he says clearly what needs to be improved. Expectations are clearly defined. Individual targets are set, and as they were today and last week: goals are reached.

Make no mistake: having a better pipe band here means we all have to raise our game. It's not about who the band members are, how many we have, etc. It's all about your sound, your steadiness, and your knowledge of the music. In the next while, I am going to set general expectations for players at band, and start providing detailed information about what needs to be done to meet them.

Meantime, wear your green shirt to band next week. And you Winnipeg guys: bring your banjos to band on the 1st.

How Can I Make a Difference?
Today was, for me, the most enjoyable band practice in a long time. Started with me not having half the gear I needed, but thankfully....not a long haul to get home. Although it made my arm hurt, I loved playing pipes that long at this time of year. And, I loved the fact that there were drummers up on drums, too. Nice work.

I spoke [at length, some might say] today to the pipers about the need to have the pipes going well. Good band performances are all about sound. That was re-impressed on me when I read the final installment of the Pipes|Drums interview with Richard Parkes. If you haven't read this, you should. In fact, if you don't have a subscription to Pipes|Drums, you should. Richard Parkes is brilliant, and his comments on bands, FMM in particular, and the scene in general, are very interesting.

And that leads me to this: if you are the kind of person who likes to make a difference in an organization, who likes to contribute to the band's success, then there is one simple thing you can do: practice. I know that many of you are, and do, and I also know that we have a few "coasters"...the folks who don't really get excited until the air tickets are purchased, or until the concert is a week or so away. Not good enough.

For the band to have settled, great sound, we need each piper to have that. Find your sound. Play. Make the reeds go. Find what works best. Get comfortable. Seek help. Come with a sound. For the drum corps to have a groovy feel going, we need each of the players to have that. Learn the scores. Make them yours. Develop the style, get the feel, hum the tunes. Groove.

All of this can be done at home. You have sheet music, recordings, good instruments and reeds. Be a musician. Record yourself. Be critical. Develop. Improve. Motivate others with your zest for doing it well.

All of that comes back to rest on the band, and who knows: maybe one day you'll get the chance to play with Richard Parkes.