August 26, 2022 1. Upcoming Events and Competitions September 3 & 4: Pleasanton Highland Games: Pleasanton, CA, https://thescottishgames.com/ October 1: Santa Clara Parade of Champions https://www.scparadeofchampions.org/ ________________________ 2. August Featured Band Members: Robbie Boyd and Rhett Grant Robbie Boyd Current role: Piper in Grade 3 Original Hometown: San Jose, CA Current hometown: Morgan Hill, CA Occupation: Next year will be my 35th work anniversary at Santa Clara University. I’m an IT manager and we’re implementing Workday Human Resources, Finance and a new Student system over a 5-year period. Until recently, I was also an adjunct at SJSU, https://ischoolapps.sjsu.edu/facultypages/view.php?fac=boydr Past pipe bands: Lockheed Pipe Band (later renamed Dunvegan), Monterey Scottish, Prince Charles and the Irish Pipers of San Francisco. Years playing: I took my first lesson with my Uncle Dick Boyd in 1972 so it has been 50 years! Favorite tune: Amazing Grace, for countless treasured memories in piping and pipe bands and, more importantly, with family, friends and work. Fond memory: Too many (see above)! But during the long, lonely months of COVID, I was so proud of our band playing in local neighborhoods during shelter-in-place. If you haven’t seen it yet, this was described in a nice article in the paper, https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/11/bagpipers-lift-spirits-of-los-gatos-neighborhood-during-coronavirus-shutdown/ Rhett Grant Current role: G4 Piper Original hometown: Modesto, CA Current hometown: Hayward, CA Occupation and/or other hobbies: Professional Latin Ballroom dance coach/competitor/judge Past pipe bands: No previous pipe band Number of years playing: 1 1/2 years Favorite tune: Hector the Hero Fond memory from piping career so far: Recently did a funeral for a fallen marine pilot in the hangar of an airport. He was a Colonel and seemed to be of some importance as there were at least 400 people at the event and at least 40 Marines in dress blues. It’s always fulfilling to do an event where the pipes mean so much to the guests/hosts. Was one of the tougher events emotionally as I played right after they had roll call and the Colonel did not respond. I also had just seen “Top Gun Maverick” a few days earlier so I was getting hard core Top Gun vibes hahaha. ________________________ 3. Adam Rocks the Glasgow Green Our own Adam Blaine competed Grade I at the World’s last weekend! Way to be, Adam. So impressive. The Texas based Grade 1 band, Saint Thomas Alumni, competed four times at Worlds at the Glasgow Green. - Pipes & Drums Results Summary <https://www.pipesdrums.com/article/field-marshal-montgomery-2022-world-pipe-band-champions/> - RSPBA Worlds Results Summary <https://rspba.org/results/bands/contests/2022-world-championships/> (There were 197 band performances over the two days!) - VIDEO: Medley on August 13th <https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0csxs8f> - VIDEO: MSR on August 13th <https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0csx9h5> - St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band Website <http://gator552-stapb-primary.hgsitebuilder.com/home> - Pipes & Drums article about the band getting upgraded to Grade 1 <https://www.pipesdrums.com/article/rspba-promotes-st-thomas-alumni-closkelt-to-grade-1/> ________________________ 4. Kilt Hangers Available The band bought kilt hangers from USAKilts.com <http://usakilts.com/>. $12 each. Contact John Boyden through Slack if interested. ________________________ 5. August Birthdays May your celebrations include good cake and great music! Declan O’Keeffe - August 8 Gaeir Dietrich - August 13 Aana Pregliasco and Alex Taylor - August 14 ________________________ 6. Musician Humor Stay healthy, everyone!