THE Yes movement now has its own pipe band which will make its debut next year, The National can reveal.
Saor Alba Pipes and Drums is the new official name of the band which has been put together by Pipers for Independence.
The truly excellent news is the band already has 100 musicians signed up and ready to play – including those pipers and drummers who led the All Under One Banner march and rally in Edinburgh last week.
The band’s inaugural general meeting will be held before the end of next month when the draft constitution will be agreed, emphasising the transparent nature of the band’s work and accounts.
Now a winter of rehearsal, practice and uniform preparation lies ahead of the band before its first official event, which will be the All Under One Banner march scheduled for May 4 in Glasgow – the same event that this year attracted 60,000 participants.
One of the chief organisers of the project, Jim Edwards, said that progress “had exceeded our wildest dreams,” particularly the crowdfunding exercise with £10,000 being raised from independence supporters.
As The National has reported, the band needs funds to buy its own drum sets and uniforms. Pipers usually have their own pipes, but do not typically own drum kits as they are maintained by the bands.
Edwards said: “After the money came in to the crowdfunder we did some research and managed to source a couple of sets of drums which we have purchased and we have also ordered some samples to enable us to put together a uniform.
“We already have a bank account and a presence on social media, and the draft constitution will soon be ready for discussion and approval.
“The first meeting next month will be an all day event which will comprise an inaugural general meeting and then a practice session. We will be having plenty more of them before we make our debut.
“As it’s an all day event, the hope is that everybody will get to know each other and we can exchange ideas and knowledge.
“We are continuing to get requests from possible members on a daily basis and with 100 signed up already we think we’ll get a few more before 2019 which is obviously going to be a big year for us.
“We anticipate that we won’t be able to have 100 pipers at every event, but having such a big pool of musicians means we will be able to put on a fine show every time we asked to perform.
“It’s all thanks to the Yes movement, as all we have done is join the dots. A great debt of gratitude is owed to everybody who has contributed, either with money or other forms of support.
“We are now confident that we can give them a pipe band they can be proud of.”
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