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Ciorcal Cairde Irish Pipes & Drums
Truly a Circle of Friends!
So what does it mean to be an Irish pipe band? It means that we are interested in playing primarily Irish music. It does not mean that we wont play other tunes, just that most of what we will play will be Irish. Dont be suprised if we play some modern Venusian polka if it appeals to us. We actually have an entire pipe set called "The COVID Set" because we learned it all on ZOOM during the pandemic... just because we liked the tunes and wanted something to do!
We were formed by a group of pipers and drummers who were interested in playing Irish music, and playing it well. We wanted to focus on the music, and leave the politics and egos behind. To that end, we decided to form our own band.
One of the first orders of business was to define the rules under which we would operate. You may find them here.
To find out more about joining the band, contact Kelly FitzRandolph, pipe major, at 303-779-5383 or email kellyfitz8822@gmail.com.
Random Facts About Us
Our Kilt and Flag
Years ago, at a performance, someone asked if one of our band mates was wearing a solid-colored kilt because she "hadn't earned her stripes yet". While we found the question to be hilarious, it also signified the need for education about different kilts and their history.
Our kilt is a solid dark blue, contemporarily referred to as "St. Patrick's Royal Blue". While this term is not officially the correct name for this particular color, it tends to be confused with many different shades of blue used in Irish symbolism. The color we use is represented on the coat of arms of Ireland and the standard of the president of Ireland, which are a gold (or) Irish harp with silver strings on a field of blue. This blue has been referred to as "Presidential Standard Blue". The standard was introduced at the end of Douglas Hyde's term in 1945. The arms were granted by the Chief Herald of Ireland on November 9th, 1945.
That said, the flag that we carry on our pipes during massed bands and parades matches our kilt- and is none other than the Irish Presidential Standard itself.
Pipe Bands have many different reasons for choosing the color and styles of their kilts. A Traditionally Scottish Pipe Band would usually be seen wearing a Tartan Kilt, which is the plaid that most people expect to see. Tartans mostly represent Scottish clans, however there are also many different organizations and countries that have their own official Tartan pattern. Heck, even Irn Bru (Scotland's *other* "National Drink") has its own tartan!
Because we are an Irish Pipe Band, we tend to wear solid colors that represent Ireland- whether an emerald green for the "Emerald Isle", Presidential Standard Blue, or the most commonly-worn Irish Kilt color of Saffron. Why SAFFRON? Many believe Irish kilts originated from the Lein-Croich, which was more like a tunic than a kilt, and was mainly in a yellow/mustardy colour. The Lein-Croich, and its distinctive colour, is thought to be the reason the Saffron Kilt is the most popular Irish kilt and was adopted by traditional Irish Pipe Bands. An Irish Pipe Band might also be seen wearing one of the many Irish County Tartans, which are plaid. And some of them just pick a random Scottish tartan for no other reason than they liked the colors! One particular pipe band in Florida picked the Ramsey Blue tartan for their kilt solely because their town is on the beach, and the colors reminded them of the ocean. So, why did we pick the Presidential Standard blue? Because we wanted to be different! (And, because it's PRETTY!)
Coat of Arms of Ireland
Irish Presidential Standard
Irn Bru's Tartan
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