An art of honor: Police Pipes & Drums of Plattsburgh

PLATTSBURGH | Police Pipes & Drums of Plattsburgh marks 20 years of performance and procession this year. Formed in 2006, the corps of musicians play across the North Country in both celebration and ceremony. First notes from bagpipes are heard long before players appear, striding in formation, boot tassels tossed in time. The music is regal, made playful or formal, merry or mournful. A not-for-profit group, Police Pipes & Drums corps was founded by members of law enforcement agencies: Howard Caron, Jim Farnsworth, John Drollette and Jim Godfrey. Their meetings drew interest from others who wanted to learn. Pipe and drum music instruction is still very much part of the group's mission, with lessons given at no cost, requiring just basic knowledge of musical notes and timing. Police Pipes & Drums members rehearse weekly at Trinity Church in downtown Plattsburgh. During an interview with the Sun, they shared insight about playing such a unique instrument while marching and keeping pace with drum beats and melody. Dan Werner, pipe major, and pipers Kim Matthews, Bud Smith, Cindy Werner, Rita MacDonald, Barbara MacDonald, Peggy Staats and Drum Sergeant Joshua Reid joined in conversation. Young members arrived in turns: students Nora Marino, and teens Evan Moulder, Gus Kingsley-Ryan and Cooper Kingsley-Ryan. Playing a bagpipe is like playing five instruments at once, Cindy explained. "There are three drones, the pipe chanter and a blow stick, which is the mouthpiece used to blow air into the bag. The pressure you keep on the bag controls the drones," she said. "If you don't have the right pressure, the drones go flat," Rita added. All of the drones play "A" notes -- an octave apart, Smith said. "The sound of pipes is called skirl." GREAT WAR PIPE Smith, an original member of the pipes and drums corps, shared some of the instrument's unique history and lore. The most commonly played bagpipe is called the Great Highland Pipe or the Great War Pipe, he said. "They were often used in Scotland to inspire the troops." One famous Scottish piper in World War II, Bill Millin, earned the nickname "The Mad Piper" for playing at Sword Beach on D-Day in Normandy. He marched continually, playing for troops, raising traditional bagpipe tunes amid mortar and machine gun fire. The famed piper was unscathed in the fiery battle. "The Germans thought he was mad so they didn't shoot him," Smith said. BLENDING PIPES AND DRUMS The bagpipe is a complex instrument to play, Police Pipes & Drums members agreed. Given the number of people they've taught and marched with through the years, they noted, it's also a lot of fun. The pitch of notes played on a bagpipe is controlled by the piper's breath and airflow pressed from the bag. Adding snare, tenor and bass drums rounds the music into formation. Pipers pay close attention to drum timing and beats as they rise and fall. "The bass drum is considered the heartbeat of the band," Smith said. "There are so many embellishments in pipe music, the drum really keeps the band together." Tying the two tightly together takes a lot of practice. The musicians said it takes about two years of practice to put a bagpiper on the street. "We're referred to as a street band," Smith said. "We aren't a competition pipes and drums band." Drum Sergeant Reid came to Police Pipes & Drums from competition performance with a national law enforcement band. "The first day I walked in here, I just knew it was something I wanted to be a part of," he said. "It took me three years to learn. This keeps my chops up," he said. "The drum music is a separate piece. It's all about the timing." "We stop the tune when the bass drum hits a double beat," Cindy said. REHEARSALS Police Pipes & Drums began rehearsing 20 years ago at the Salvation Army center in Plattsburgh and later moved to the American Legion hall at Quarry Road. Smith began playing as an adult and learned from his peers. "It was just an informal group," he said. "We've become more structured over time." They have had leadership talent retire over time. Longtime Drum Major Michael Cahill, respected for his grace and marching command, retired from the ranks last year amid fond farewells and gratitude. Pipe Major Dan Werner leads the bagpipers. Piper Matthews served as pipe sergeant for eight years and is currently president of the organization. Together, corps volunteers present to march in area parades across the North Country, from Rouses Point to Elizabethtown so far this year, with events coming up in Port Henry and Plattsburgh. Matthews performs solo pipe ceremonials at memorials and veterans parks for events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and at special ceremonies of remembrance. Each member holds high regard for their role in service and circumstance. Their combined effort inspires. For Nora Marino, a high school student at Saranac Central School, learning to play the bagpipes is an extension of volunteering at North Country Honor Flight departure ceremonies. "I always went to sing at the Honor Flight ceremony," she said of her elementary school years. "And I've always liked the way the bagpipes sound, so I asked for bagpipes for my birthday." She's training with Pipe Major Werner. Barbara MacDonald, from Napierville, Quebec, heard Police Pipes & Drums rehearsing one evening in Trinity Park. "I worked in Plattsburgh three days a week, and I was driving around looking for a place for dinner and spotted them practicing on the green," she said. "I always knew I would learn to play the bagpipes when I retired. I heard the sound wafting through the air, and that was it." Each member shares common goals to continue to learn, play together, teach and polish performance. Police Pipes and Drums of Plattsburgh is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Northern Adirondack Lodge 999. Their mission is to honor and support law enforcement, firefighters, veterans and military communities with the time-honored art of piping and drumming. Lessons with Police Pipes & Drums members usually begin in the fall. Anyone interested in learning to play can reach the band manager by email: ppdplattsburgh@gmail.com .................................... EVENT SCHEDULE 2026 Police Pipes & Drums have participated in many events this busy summer with America250 well underway. They have a busy schedule in September: Sept. 6: Port Henry Labor Day Parade at Sunday 2 p.m. Sept. 12: Battle of Plattsburgh; Saturday 10 a.m. for 100th Anniversary of the Macdonough Monument. They will march in the Battle of Plattsburgh Parade, starting at 1 p.m. Sept. 19, Police Pipe & Drum will march in the Peru Applefest Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. To learn more about Police Pipe & Drum, visit their website: ppdplattsburgh.org

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An art of honor: Police Pipes & Drums of Plattsburgh

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