Leadership

Musical Background – Jim’s training as the band’s Drum Major has included coaching from two Black Watch drum majors from Scotland, & a judge and teacher of Highland Drum Majoring, Sandy Brown, also from Scotland

Drum Major Jim Gilchrist is celebrating his twentieth year with the Amityville American Legion Highland Pipe Band.  He was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn and raised in Amityville. He attended SUNY Farmingdale & Plattsburgh, and has a degree in Business Administration. He is also a US Air Force veteran and served at Whiteman AFB (1967-1969), and Tanson Nhut Air Base in Saigon, Vietnam (1969-1970).  He attained the rank of Sergeant in the Air Police.  Jim & wife, Eileen have lived in Copaigue for 39 years.  They have two daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandchildren.  Jim is most proud and grateful to be leading the oldest, and best pipe band on Long Island.

Education – Flower Hill Elementary, Valparaiso University & West Point

Professional Background – Manager @ AT&T, President – Wiltech Systems

Musical Background – played for the USO while serving in the US Army

As the business manager Loy makes arrangements and provides all contracts for the parades and other occasions.

Graduate from Touro Law School, 1997; Binghamton University, 1994

Chris has been with the band since 1998 and has held a number of positions from that time including Tuning Corporal and Pipe Sergeant.  Chris was elected Pipe Major in 2012.

I’m currently employed as the Driver-Messener for Nassau County Surrogate’s Court in Mineola. I played the Tenor Saxophone throughout middle school and high school. After I graduated I dabbled in piano as well, but I put that on the back burner to focus on bagpipes. Using my vast musical knowledge and the expert tutelage of the Amityville Pipe Band I can now proudly call myself a bagpiper.

To Be Completed

Education – Central Islip High School

Professional Background – School Maintenance

Musical Background – Played drums since I was 3 years old, played bass guitar for 10 years.

I love the camaraderie of the band. I’ve been in the band 13 years this year, 5 of which I’ve been Drum Sergeant. If you love music and fun, join this band, it’s that simple.

I’ve been with the band since 2011 and have been playing drums since the 3rd grade. I’m the drum corporal in the band and we’re always looking to improve and play new and fun tunes.

Pat has been a dedicated member of the band for over four years.  Not only is he proficient on the snare drum, but has on occasion stepped in and played the bass for the band.  In 2016, the band nominated and voted Pat in as Drum Corporal, a position Pat well deserves.

“B.A.” joined the band after seeing us in the Montauk St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Alas, his deep involvement with his family, Public Education and Amateur Wrestling did get in the way of him practicing, so he concentrated on the proper presentation of our colors and teaching the new recruits the rudiments of close-order drill.

Musical Background – I learned the pipes when I was 14.

I played with the band until college, then rejoined the band 10 years later.  I was the Pipe Major for 10 years and just recently retired, passing the leadership onto Chris, our current Pipe Major.

I started learning bagpipe music while attending Robert E Peary High School in Rockville, MD.  Named after Admiral Peary, who was credited with discovering the North Pole, we formed the school’s original Pipe Band.  There I learned to play the bass drum, tenor and snare drum.  We wore the MacMillan tartan in honor of Robert MacMillan who accompanied Admiral Peary to the North Pole.  Later I moved to NY, where I joined the West Islip Fire Department and became a member of their band.  During my tenure we won the NY State championship multiple times over a 20 year period.   However I missed my musical roots and in 2012 I joined the Amityville Highland Pipe Band.  An excellent feature of the band is the musical instruction they provide its members, so even if you don’t know how to play the pipes or drums, they will teach you. I enjoy the camaraderie of the band and we have loads of fun playing at the parades and special events.  So if you have the desire to play and enjoy having fun, come down and join, we are always looking for new members.