The Regimental Band and Pipes
The Regimental Band and Pipes is a marching band from the South Carolina Corps of Cadets of the senior military college The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. It was founded in 1909 with marine general Harry K. Pickett in command. In 1991, the band participated in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, becoming the first military college selected for the honor. They returned in 2010 as the only unit from the United States to appear at the Silver Jubilee of the Tattoo and appeared again in 2015 and 2024.
History
Members have marched during inaugural parades and national functions and played for the President of the United States on numerous occasions including marching in the Presidential Inauguration Parades of 1953 and 1961. In 1985, the Regimental Band and Pipes travelled to Washington for the Presidential Inauguration, but extreme cold weather cancelled the parade. In 1991, the Regimental Band and Pipes became the first military college band ever to be selected to participate in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo of Scotland.Regimental Band
The Regimental Band is composed of about 100 cadet musicians. An important part of cadet life at The Citadel, it contributes to the morale of the Corps and helps to maintain the martial atmosphere of the campus.The band is an active organization that provides service to The Citadel in many capacities. It performs during the Friday afternoon dress parades, buglers control the daily schedule, and freshman and sophomore cadets from the band perform as the Corps marches to its noon meal during the week. The band is active at football games and inspires Citadel athletic teams and fans with its Pep Band throughout the year. Contributing to The Citadel's annual Christmas holiday celebrations, members form an ensemble that accompanies the many cadet choirs in the Christmas candlelight service. Numerous other events, ranging from holiday parades, formal ceremonies and special events, round out the yearly schedule.
The Citadel Pipe Band
The sounds of bagpipes were first heard at The Citadel in 1955. One of the most easily recognized attractions at the college, the Pipe Band is composed of a drum major and approximately 30 to 35 pipers and drummers. Each fall, the unit recruits pipers from the freshman class, many of whom have never played the bagpipes.The colorful unit, led by the kilted drum major in a feather bonnet, is the leading element of the Regimental Band and Pipes. From 1956 until 1981, the bagpipers wore the Royal Stewart tartan. Since 1981, the bagpipers have worn The Citadel's own tartan, which has been duly registered in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Pipe Band is popular at dress parades and other events throughout South Carolina and the nation, including the Heritage PGA Tour event at Hilton Head, SC. The Pipe Band is a very active organization that also competes as a Grade IV band at Highland Games all over the United States. Mentored by Sandy Jones, one of the nation's premier pipe instructors for more than 25 years, the Citadel Pipe Band is one of the nations finest.
The current director of the Pipe Band is Major Jim Dillahey SCM '01,