The Band has officially opened the 2009 season at the 16th Annual Queen Mary Scottish Festival held in Long Beach, California. The Band took 3rd Place both days, which was reasonably expected since we were challenging up to the Grade 1 event as the only Grade 2 band entered.  The two Grade 1 bands present were the LA Scots and Oran Mor, both of which were playing very well for so early in the season.

The weekend was a debut for a few things in the Band.  Aesthetically we debuted our latest uniform upgrade with our new long sleeve blue shirts, which we feel has added just the right amount of professional touch (not to mention protection from the typically cool February weather). Musically we debuted a medley that has been reconstructed since last year with half of the material being new to the repertoire including several original compositions by P/M Seumas Coyne.  And finally we welcomed some new band members to the circle including pipers Cory Mann and Ashley Zuber, bass drummer Stewart Hogg and snare drummer Matt Biggs.

Next on the Band's schedule is tentatively in late April at the Sacramento Highland Games held in Woodland, California.  We've also been confirmed for the San Diego Highland Games in late June so that has been added to the calendar.