SVPB Newsletter: May 14, 2022 1. Upcoming Events and Competitions 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/ May 30: Memorial Day performance at Skylawn Memorial Park July 16 & 17: Monterey Highland Games, Monterey, CA, https://www.montereycelticfest.com/ September 3 & 4: Pleasanton Highland Games: Pleasanton, CA, https://thescottishgames.com/ ________________________ 2. May Featured Band Members: Celeste Neary and Ryan Parker Celeste Neary: Current role(s) in band: Tenor drummer for Grade 3 Original Hometown: Clarks Summit, PA Occupation and/or other hobbies: Hardware Engineer Past pipe bands: Carnegie Mellon University Pipe Band, Grand Rapids and District Pipe Band Number of years playing: 8 Favorite tune: The Hard Drive A fond memory from drumming career thus far: When I started tenor drumming during my freshman year at CMU, I never knew that it would introduce me to so many people and places around the US. My fondest memories involve spending time with all the cool people I have met, whether that was going to Cappy's after practice in Pittsburgh, reconnecting with great friends at Winter Storm, or playing a full-day St. Patrick's Day pub crawl in West Michigan. Ryan Parker: (Vegas Highland Games) (Mid 90s being tuned by Colin Berta) Current role in band: Grade 3 Pipe Sergeant Hometown: San Jose, CA Occupation and/or other hobbies: I am Facilities Engineer for Stanford and manage one of their particle accelerator facilities. I have many other hobbies that include: enduro dirt biking, health and wellness, converting a high top Van into the ultimate adventure moto Van, Building a 24 hour of “Lemons” Race Car, Camping, backpacking, exploring and making Youtube videos. I love Formula 1 and follow the season and teams very closely, as I am a nerd at heart and Formula 1 is the pinnacle of Automotive Engineering. I am huge fan of all music and love going to music festivals and also playing music for friends at parties or gatherings. Other musical talents: Banjo and Didgeridoo Past pipe bands: I played with the Prince Charles Pipe band from 1990 until 2001 and a half season of 2005. Played with all of their different grade bands including the grade 2 when we won the world championship. Number of years playing: 32 Favorite tune: I enjoy anything technical with syncopation. A fond memory from piping career thus far: First thing that comes to mind is one of my first bagpipe performances with Prince Charles Pipe Band. We got to open up for Rod Stewart! It was my first concert of my life and we got to stay for the show! But above all else, I just simply enjoy the sense of Family and Community within the Pipe Band Scene. I was away from the scene from 2001 until 2020 and I am so glad that I am back. I enjoy the countless trips where band bonding is carried over a glass of scotch and a good conversation. I enjoy continuing on my heritage and look forward to playing amazing music, while making new life long memories. ________________________ 3. Question: What Do You Most Need Right Now? Answer: Merch. Band Merch. Many thanks to Brandon Ward for getting this up and running! https://www.zazzle.com/store/silicon_valley_pb/products <https://www.zazzle.com/store/silicon_valley_pb/products> ________________________ 4. Do you know how to use Slack, TeamSnap, and Box? Check out the new “members only” portion of the band website <https://siliconvalleypipeband.org>. The password to get in is: SkirlTap There you will find instructions on how to set up and use the band’s Slack, TeamSnap, and Box accounts. These are all very important tools that everyone in the band needs to know how to use. Be a SVPB superstar and learn how to engage with the band. Let Brandon know if you have questions or ideas for new members only content. ________________________ 5. Volunteers Needed! 1. Head shots at Costa Mesa: We are looking for a band member to coordinate taking head shots of uniformed band members at Costa Mesa. These will be used to update the band website and will not be character shots, but in uniform, smiling, no sunglasses, upper body, with Glengarry shots, consistent backdrop, close-up but with enough size so cropping may be done. 1. Meal Coordination at the Games: We are looking for someone to coordinate meals and dinner outings for upcoming games. In the past the band has paid for lunches (eg. TOGO's for Pleasanton),or subsidized dinner together on Saturday night. See John Boyden on SLACK if interested in helping out for Costa Mesa, Monterey or Pleasanton. 1. Burns Night 2023 Planning: Do you have ideas as to where we could host a Burns night in January? Now is the time for us to book a venue and begin planning so please reach out to Tam or John Boyden with any leads on where we could affordably host a celebration. ________________________ 6. May Birthdays Thank goodness for May-born musicians. Adam Blaine - May 19 Alexandrea Bieschke - May 20 Burr Nissen - May 25 ________________________ 7. Musician Humor