Old Colony Highlanders Pipe Band (OCH), which practices locally in Lakeville, was recently recognized as the second place band in their division in the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association after a successful year of competition in 2018. This distinction was recognized out of 100 bands in the competition grade. While other local bands also competed, OCH is the only band in eastern Massachusetts to place in the top twenty of the year end overall point compilation.
Bagpipe band competitions are held all over the Unites States, Canada, Ireland, and United Kingdom. Points are awarded to bands based on winning positions and how many bands are entered into the competition; the more entries the higher the point value awarded to the placing bands. This past year was Old Colony Highlanders first foray into competition. Over the course of 2018, the band continued to perform in local events and also entered the regional competition arena with a total of five competitions that were sanctioned by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. In the band’s first competition in June at the Rhode Island Scottish Festival, Old Colony Highlanders came in first place against eight other bands. Competitions followed with two in New York, then western Massachusetts, and finally at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire where the band came in second in a large field, as well as receiving the award for dress and deportment.
OCH was formed in 2016 by a family of experienced bagpipers and drummers and their students. Members come from all over the southeast region of Massachusetts from towns like Norwood.
The band’s 2019 competition season will begin in May in New York State, with and added goal this year of attending and competing at the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario in August. The band has been working on new competition music since early fall. Old Colony Highlanders practice weekly at the Lakeville United Church of Christ on most Thursdays and one Saturday morning a month.
The band’s calendar can be found at www.OldColonyHighlanders.org. The band welcomes new members or anyone wishing to learn bagpipes or drums. Practices are open to guests considering learning these instruments. OCH is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to teaching and performing the Celtic art of bagpipe and drum music here is southeast Massachusetts, as well as representing our local area in regional and international competition.