SVPB Newsletter: March 18, 2022 1. Upcoming Events Practices: at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 13601 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, CA Grade 4: 6:30 - 8 (meet in the gym) Grade 3: 8:30 - 10 (meet in the gym) Events and Competitions: April 9 & 10: Las Vegas Highland Games, Grade 3 only, http://www.lasvegascelticsociety.org/ May 21: Sentinels of Freedom, Blackhawk Museum, Danville, CA, https://www.blackhawkmuseum.org/#0931000 May 28 & 29: Costa Mesa Scottish Festival, https://www.scottishfest.com/ July 16 & 17: Monterey Highland Games, Monterey, CA, https://www.montereycelticfest.com/ September 3 & 4: Pleasanton Highland Games: Pleasanton, CA, https://thescottishgames.com/ ________________________ 2. Nothing Good to Watch on Netflix? Then take a look at something better! The local Northern Branch of WUSPBA features monthly piobaireachd videos <https://wuspbanb.org/monthly-meeting/>, including videos by Adam and Robbie. So cool. Thanks for sending this in, Robbie! ________________________ 3. March Featured Band Members: Sue and Burr Nissen Sue Nissen Original hometown: Washington, D.C. Occupation: Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Santa Clara Valley Med Center for 37 years, Outside Sales Travel Agent, Notary Public Other musical talents: flute/piccolo in high school and college. Marched in 3 Rose Parade bands ... playing piccolo. Past pipe bands: Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums, Los Gatos Police Pipe Band, Piping Circle with Catherine Young Number of years playing: 32 Favorite tune: (not just one) Banks of the Lossie, Crags of Tumbledown Mountain, Farewell to Camraw A fond memory from my band career thus far: Pescadero Portuguese parades, our daughter, Audrey, and son-in-law, Guy, playing side drums in the band and having lunch at Duarte's restaurant and having cream of artichoke/green chili soup. Also, competing at Pleasanton in Grade 4 and placing with PM Rob Boyd who was a good friend of our first piping instructor/neighbor, Sean Castner. So good to have Adam Blaine take the helm and tailor us to our Silicon Valley environment. ________________________ Burr Nissen Original Hometown: Oakland, CA Occupation: Guidance counselor, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Alternative Schools,, Eastside Adult Education. Community theatre. Other musical talents: Singing roles in theatres. Past pipe bands: Stewart Tartan Pipes and Drums, Los Gatos Police Pipe Band, Piping Circle with Catherine Young Number of years playing: 32 Favorite tune: Bells of Dunblane A fond memory from my band career thus far: The President's Cup Golf Tournament in San Francisco 2009, Oakland Raider football game 2012. A bit about them as a piping couple, from Sue: “Burr and I met at Occidental College, both of us were in the marching band. Playing bagpipes has enabled us to meet interesting people we would not have encountered otherwise. Both of us being in the band has worked well. (Could be a strain on a marriage if just one is involved in a band, especially if it’s a competition group.) So far we’ve been fortunate that our neighbors don’t complain and we have even been able to host workshops here. (It has been noted in a real estate disclosure statement when a neighbor’s home went on the market that pipers lived next door.)” ________________________ 4. SVPB Photo Opp: SF St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 12 We had a great day playing up in the city. Paul Olson led the way with his mentee, Jack (first parade for Jack!), followed by Neil, Adam, Paul and Ignacio piping in the front rank, John, Tam, Laura, and Brandon in the second rank, Milanda on bass, Erin, Leslie, and Johnny on snares, and Erin’s husband, Josh, wheeling the support wagon with hydration, snacks, and storage space for the band (Thank you so much, Josh)! 5. March Birthdays Happy Birthday to band members celebrating another year of good music under their belts this month. _______________________________ March 3 - Connor and Aidan Studulski March 7 - Erik Leiken March 22 - Stuart McLean March 23 - Rhett Grant March 30 - Paul Llewellyn (If we missed yours, please email me and let me know.)