July 4th in Wyomissing, PA

The Hawk Mountain Highlanders returned to Wyomissing for its 22nd year [Photos by Steve Eastman—Thank you]

Its been a great set of years. Here pictures from yesterday's parade in Wyomissing. Always a great parade.

Getting ready

Playing in the circle before the start.

Hutten Moyer tuning Dave Weisman

Front line: Wes, Kyle Roeder, Hutten Moyer

Some portraits:

Wes Loder, Pipe Major

Linda Loder, Drum Major

Dave Weidenhammer, our long time bass drummer

Moses and Laura Eastman

Marc Gardiner, snare

Bill Pompella warming up.

Moses Eastman on the street.

Orwigsburg & Auburn Memorial Day 2014: Performing in the Town Squares

Performing in the town square, Orwigsburg, PA

For 26 years, we have been one of the bands that participate in Orwigsburg and Auburn, Pennsylvania's (our local towns) Memorial Day parades. In each town we present a little show as well as parading. This year it was hot but breezy and we came in strength. Good show.

Orwigsburg is always early. Nice to avoid the heat.

Tuning up for Auburn.

Giving the program in Auburn. Our drum corps.

Playing a jig.

Marching off. End of a double-header. Linda Loder is the Drum Major.

The Hawk Mountain Highlanders are in our 28th year, have good numbers and strong players. We are always looking for anyone interested in piping or drumming with us. Contact the Pipe Major, Wes Loder at 570-640-2660 or e-mail <MWL2@psu.edu>.

Back to Fairhill

After an absence of five years, a few of us attended the Colonial Highland Gathering at Fairhill Maryland. Beautiful weather and the largest crowds I remember. The group of us went out with the massed bands and had a good time playing with the other bands. As always, the yellow hackles and the balmoral bonnets stand out.

David Weisman, Kristen Egan (hidden), Hutten Moyer and Wes Loder in line with other pipers. Marc Gardiner was also there but in another line.

The Highlanders at the Spyglass Winery, 2013

http://www.spyglassridgewinery.com/celtic.html

For the fourth time in five years, we have served as the duty band for the Spyglass Ridge Winery's annual Celtic Festival near Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Each year we try to give the crowd a bit more, and this year we had more reels, jigs and a hornpipe to add to the mix of marches played as the other musical acts changed their sets at the start of each hour. A long day, but a lot of fun for everyone.

We are always looking for recruits, experienced or new. We meet in Deer Lake, PA's fire hall on Wednesday nights. Feel free to contact Wes Loder, the Pipe Major <MWL2@psu.edu> or phone 570-640-2660.

Fourth of July in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

The Hawk Mountain Highlanders had a good turnout for Wyomissing's annual Fourth of July parade this year. This was the nineteenth time we have participated and we got to lead the parade. There were huge crowds, the shade was appreciated and we sounded good. Many more parades like this, we hope.

From left to right: Hutten Moyer, Pipe Sergeant. Wes Loder, Pipe Major.  David Weisman, Piper. Kristen Egan, Piper. Linda Loder, Drum Major. Shane Hall, Drummer. Dave Weidenhammer, Bass. Veronica Rutecky, Drummer. Kyle Roeder, Piper. Nick Pompella, Drummer. Katie Malone, Drummer. Eric Stump, Piper. Bill Pompella, Piper.



"Celebrating the Celtic Heritage of the Upper Schuylkill Valley for Over 26 years"

2013 Girardville St. Patrick's Day parade

We have participated in the Girardville St. Patrick's Day parade since its first time ten years ago. The past couple of years our performances have steadily improved. This year the judges awarded us third place. Pictures here show us playing before the reviewing stand. We did a mini-MSR and we sounded good.

The Hawk Mountain Highlanders celebrated it 25th anniversary last year. Quite an accomplishment considering the life expectancy of most pipe bands.  We continue a busy schedule with parades and programs throughout of the year. We practice on Wednesday evenings in the Deer Lake Fire Hall, and draw most of our members from Schuylkill and Berks Counties in Pennsylvania.
We are always looking for new bandsmen. If you interested in joining, please feel free to contact any member.

We offer full and free instruction in playing the highland bagpipe and any of the drums the band uses. We also provide uniforms at no cost to the members. The band owns its drums. Bagpipes may be purchased, or we have a few loaner sets.
Contact Wes Loder, Pipe Major via phone (570) 640-2660, or via e-mail: MWL2@psu.edu.