bagpipe band, Scottish, bagpipers, pipers



Drum Major George Earley Although George is no longer active in the band, he is the inspiration for many elements of the band. He formed the tenor drum section and trained all of them for many years. He trained several drum majors as well, and is responsible for the dress and deportment of the band. If our lines are straight, and we march with pride, it's due to George's influence and training.



Pipe Major Ron Lopez Ron has been Pipe Major since 1972 and is celebrating his 40th year as doing so. He's seen the band grow from a very small group to over two dozen uniformed members and many more coming up. Ron's whole family have been, or currently are, members in the band. Ron's wife Joyce has been a piper even longer than Ron. Ron's daughter Sara was a fine dancer before taking up the tenor drums which she still continues to play and leads the tenor corp. Currently Ron enjoys retirement and three grandsons. Contact Ron below to hire the band, or call 208-362-3144.



Drum Sgt. Evan Meck Evan comes from a strong DCI background and is the drummer rep for the board of governors for the band. Evan's enthusiam is catching and even influencing the pipers! In 2008, he agreed to step up as acting drum sgt filling the shoes of Locke Nuttall who stepped down. He's actively teaching new drummers and getting the drum corp built up to a new and exciting level. Evan also represents the drummers on the band Board. He's also a brand new proud papa x2.



Pipe Sgt. Don Watts Don is a very serious piper and also very chameleon-like in his appearance. For instance, there could be times when you look at his image here and swear he looks just like somebody else. But, you'd be wrong.

Drummer Sara Aycock

Sara is looking pretty serious here. And she is serious about what she does. But when she smiles, the world lights up. (you need to ckeck out the gallery pages to see one of Sara's smiles!) Sara is our acting Drum Major as well. Though she's the apple of our Pipe Major's eye (his daughter) she holds her own on the drum line or leading the band and is a great asset to the band.

Drum Major Sara Aycock

See what I mean? Sara doubles as one of our Drum Majors and does a great job of it, having learned from the best, George Earley Sr. It's hard for her to be stern as he is, because she's got such a kind nature, as you can see by this photo!

Piper Lloyd Blackstone

Lloyd, like most of the members in the band, learned piping through community schools. UNlike most of us, Lloyd is kind of quiet! Lloyd is now on the board of governors.



Piper Marge Butterfield Marge has suffered from Adult Onset Piping for more than 20 years. Willing and able to perform under most circumstances. Contact Marge at the link below.



Piper Lon Blair Lon has been playing with us since 2007 and added yet another zany personality to the group. Although he's a serious dentist by day, and is a pretty serious dad by night, in his free time he skis and whitewater rafts. And when he's not bagpiping, he's collecting other types of musical instruments and learning to play them. He says he credo is: "Don't spend too much time trying to achieve playing perfection when you can have a perfectly good time playing around!" HEY, I'm for that! Lon is now serving as the treasurer on the band board.

Drummer Bill Curtis

Bill has been a side drummer in the band for a number of years. He keeps a cheery disposition even though the pipers tend to lure the drummers away from a steady beat.

Pipe Sgt. Justin Ferguson

Justin taught himself to play the bagpipes while serving his country in Iraq. Since his return he has continued to study and has gotten better and better. He is the latest Pipe Sgt for the band.

Piper Anna Garlock

Anna has been a member of the band for several years and is one of the many ladies in the band without whom the ranks would be rather sparce. Anna likes to garden in her spare time.



Drummer Kaitlyn Heusser Snare drummer Kaitlyn Heusser is a high school sophomore and has been playing drums and percussion since the 5th grade with the goal of playing with the Boise Highlanders. Besides music, Kaitlyn enjoys art, math and science (especially zoology) and games and puzzles. She enjoys hanging out with the older folks in the band and we enjoy having her. You might forget her name but you'll never forget her smile. Kaitlyn follows her grandmother Anna Garlock's footsteps in the band, which brings a great deal of pride and satisfaction to Anna.

Piper Dan Grothaus

Dan performs double duty as he is also a member of the Boise Police Pipe Band, as well as an officer with the police force. Dan was named Patrolman of the Year for 2005 and we're all busting with pride for him. Now retired from the Police Force, Dan keeps busy doing farm work and honeydo lists and the like.



Piper Judy Pittman Judy's been in the band for more years than she can remember. She has a good time piping but takes it seriously as she competes around the NW area and studies via Skype with John Cairns. She enjoys the company of her fellow bandmates and looks for any opportunity for a reason to laugh.

Piper Bill Hughes

Bill looks pretty tough in this picture, but it was just a cold day. I had said he'd been in the band for ages, but he told me it made him sound old. So now I'll just say something like, you know, he's a pillar of the band. He's a steadfast member for sure. One of his favorite tunes is "The Old Rustic Bridge". Bill stays on top of things by regularly attending the Mastery of Scottish Arts School in Seabeck, Washington.



Piper Carolyn Watts Carolyn is a person of many talents. She plays pipes, does celtic knotwork, and has published a book on music theory specifically for bagpipers. Check out her website in our links page. Carolyn is also serving on the Board of Governors for the band.



Piper Susan Westergard Susie has been with the band for quite some time, though motherhood has taken up a good deal of her time recently. She's one of the two females representing in the Boise Police Pipe Band and has written a 6/8 march to commemorate them. She was commendated by the Boise Police Chief for her efforts too!



Piper Tim Martin Tim's also a very serious person. (Do not discuss British cars with Tim, he still suffers from PTSD and may become violent if the subject is brought up.) Although Tim appears to be quite serious on the exterior, I happen to know first hand, he's a real jokester underneath. He keeps those of us on email laughing with his regular contributions.

Piper Grant Harbison

Grant began piping under the tutelage of Ron Lopez, Don Watts, and Susan Westergard as a junior at Boise High School in 1989. He has permanently returned to the band after almost 20 years living away from Boise. During those years, Grant played in several competition pipe bands and is now successfully starting to close the full circle of Piping self-actualization: know-it-all kid; rank-and-file piper; grizzled, burnt-out veteran; and, finally, enthusiastic instructor. He regularly contributes his expertise in musicality and tone/tuning issues at band practices and performances. Grant serves on the band board.



Piper Samuel Ward Samuel Ward, one of our newest pipers, started taking lessons from Uncle Tim (Martin) when he was eleven and received his pipes in April 2008. Samuel has loved the pipes since he was a "wee laddie". He loves the fast tunes and has an IPod full of Pipe and Drum music. He placed 2nd in his division at the 2008 Highland Games in Boise and is saving to go to Scotland. Samuel just became an Eagle Scout and his bandmates are very proud.



Piper Marsha Hood Marsha is another of the fine force of ladies in the band. She has learned patience over the years from teaching elementary age kids. She also teaches at the band's piping school. Marsha is currently on sabbatical.



Piper Bill Earley Bill's serves as our dance piper and has been a member of the band for many years. He quite often is the master cook at our BBQ's as well.

Drummer Locke Nuttall

Locke has been the drumming backbone of the band since the early 70's. He likes us inspite of the fact that we drag him all over the place with our tempos. His is a thankless job! After many years, he stood down as drum sgt to make room for some youthful leadership, but will be ever present to help out and keep the drum corp strong.



Drummer Mike Morrison Mike has bass drummed with the band for several years and has contributed to the band with his offspring...all of whom have played in the band at some point. He makes great blowstems for us and all for the price of a coke. I asked him to smile for this photo, and he said he was!

Piper Rob Gallas

Rob is another one of our double duty pipers, who also plays with the Boise Police Pipe Band and now serves as the Pipe Major of that band, and is a member of the Boise City Police force. He's affectionately referred to as Robbie the Bobbie by band members. And true to form of most of the cops in the band, a trouble maker, so he fits right in!



Piper Jeannine Hall Jeannine is one of the red headed beauties of the band. She teaches junior high school art, so she has to be "with it" to keep up with them. And she's a pretty fine piper and a talented artist to boot! Jeannine is currently on sabatical.