News

March 15, 2008

Area pipers going full kilt

Hodgepodge of pipe and drum band members will show talents this weekend.

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter
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By day they are known by their professions: A crime investigator. A security guard. A television producer. A computer technician.

By night they’re known as “pipers.”

Over the next few days, they’ll feel more like rock stars.

They are the members of the Ceol Mor Pipe and Drum Band, a hodgepodge group of musicians of various ethnic backgrounds who will showcase their bagpipe and drumming talents at various St. Patrick’s Day celebrations over the weekend.

Between parades and bar tours, the group expects to play for nearly 12 hours straight on Saturday and Sunday. Longtime band member Chris Lynch says he’ll love every minute of it.

“You watch kids’ faces light up. It’s like being a rock star,” Lynch said. “They’re hanging on mommy saying, ‘Look at that, look at that!’ We’re living our 15 minutes of fame for the year.”

Founded in 1996 by Roger Redmon of Larksville, Ceol Mor (pronounced “Kay-ol More”), has grown significantly in popularity, in members and requests for services.

The group that started out with a handful of musicians has grown to 36 members who play approximately 10 parades a year and other events such as festivals and bazaars.

The band welcomes musicians of all ethnic descent, Redmon said.

Redmon, 55, a security guard, has played the bagpipes for more than 30 years and taught many of the band members. Learning the instrument isn’t as difficult as some may think, he said.

Bagpipes consist of three main parts: the drones, chanter and air bag.

Players blow air into the bag through a pipe. Squeezing the bag under an arm maintains a constant pressure, causing reeds within the pipes to vibrate. That powers the drones – the part of the instrument that provides the steady, low background sound – and the chanter. The melody is then controlled by fingering holes in the chanter.

Redmon estimates there are roughly 12,000 bag pipe players in the United States. He thinks there would be more if not for a common misconception.

“Some promote the image that you need a lot of lung strength to play. That’s not true,” he said. “A lot of people are discouraged because of that.”

Lynch, a Luzerne County detective, learned to play about eight years ago. At first he was subjected to some friendly ribbing from co-workers who poked fun at the kilt, a Celtic skirt that band members wear during performances.

“The ribbing goes away quick when they realize they know someone who plays this weird instrument . . . You get requests, ‘Can you play at my father’s party? He’s a big Notre Dame fan,’ ” Lynch said.

The band consists of 12 females, most of who play drums or are part of the color guard. Kathy Raver of Kingston is the only female who plays the bagpipes.

Raver, 38, said she’s always loved Celtic music. She got interested in the pipes after her father decided he wanted to learn to play.

“I thought what a great way to spend time with my dad. I never looked back,” Raver said.

The band is a family affair for drummers Cris Gansell, 49, of the Williamsport area and her daughter, Sherry Gardner, 27, of Kingston, a producer for a morning show at a local television station.

Gansell joined last year after a friend called to tell her a buddy of his was looking for a drummer for his band. At first, Gansell said she thought he meant a rock band – something she’s never done before.

“When I saw what it was like, I said I can do that,” she said.

Computer technician Bill White, 45, of Scranton, has played the bagpipes since 1998 and is teaching his 11-year-old son Will. White said he’s always been a fan of bagpipe music and was drawn to learn to play by its “mesmerizing” sound.

“I just love the sound of the pipes. I thought it was the coolest thing,” White said.

What’s Next

The Ceol Mor Pipe and Drum Band is scheduled to play at the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Scranton on Saturday and Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, in addition to tours at various bars in the region. For a complete schedule, check the band’s Website at www.ceolmorband.com.

Terrie Morgan-Besecker, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 570-829-7179

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