Proper Pipe Band Decorum

[Blupiper]

I was at the Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering this weekend and some mates talked me into filling out the ranks by joining in with the massed bands. I am not a band member, but knew the tunes and they needed some bodies to fill out the corps. My question is: what is the proper etiquette for the national anthems and the invocation. I was at respectful attention, my pipes on my left shoulder and during both, I removed my cover. It seemed most all of the rest of the pipers and drummers did not. I realized I didn't know the proper thing to do in the situation, but I wasn't part of a band and was obviously wearing a more civilian look for my traditional Highland wear--tweed jacket and waistcoat, brown brogues and a glengarry. You Xmarkers with band experience out there: what is the right thing to do? Thanks in advance.

JMB

[Macman]

Hi, JMB. My advice would be that, even if you are not personally in a band, you are a member of the massed band. As such, band protocol would be to not remove covers.
Did you enjoy being in the massed bands?

[Blupiper]

Hi, JMB. My advice would be that, even if you are not personally in a band, you are a member of the massed band. As such, band protocol would be to not remove covers.
Did you enjoy being in the massed bands?

Macman:

It was an experience. Playing in an ensemble is such a different set of skills from solo piping. Staying on the beat, the correct foot and trusting your fingers when you don't really hear yourself play is quite a change. My little bit of marching skills from high school marching band (sousaphone) are WAY out of date and this was jumping in the deep end hoping to remember how to swim. A howling bass drone was no help either. Oh, well, we learn by doing.

JMB

[OC Richard]

I've been in a zillion Massed Bands over the years and have never seen bandsmen remove their bonnets. The Drum Majors should bring the Massed Bands to attention; sometimes they forget!

BTW Glengarries, Balmorals, and Feather Bonnets are all referred to as "bonnets", also in the British Army as "headdress".

American pipe band people often call their Glengarries "hats".

When you see a band heading to the final tuning area, or heading from there to The Line, you'll hear the Pipe Major yelling "hats!"

If he didn't do so, somebody would invariably forget their Glengarry!

[imrichmond]

I second OCRichard's comment. I, too, have never seen bandsmen in a massed band remove their bonnets for the playing of a national anthem. In fact, the only time I have ever known bandsmen to remove them on the field is when throwing them in the air to celebrate a win!

[Blupiper]

OK. My thanks to all. This was my first experience in a corps and I was trying to stay in the ensemble. It's definitely a set of skills that I could use some work on, but an interesting experience.

JMB