Pipe Band Members Compete in Charleston
Not all contests in Charleston happened on the football field Nov. 1. While the Keydets and the Bulldogs contended for the Silver Shako, members of the VMI Pipe Band competed at the 54th Annual Scottish Games and Highland Gathering at Riverfront Park in North Charleston.
Six cadets traveled to the gathering, where five of them participated and triumphed in their individual contests. For grade 5 solo piping, Caleb Swanson 鈥27 received first place. For grade 5 solo snare drumming, Connor Wolfe 鈥26 placed first with an above grade level recommendation; Thomas Sasso 鈥27 placed third; and Harrison Sloane 鈥27 placed fourth. Kira Brenaman 鈥26 placed second in bass drumming and third in tenor drumming. Joseph Reynolds 鈥27, a new member of the pipe band, accompanied the competitors to learn and encourage.
Maj. Brian Donaldson, director of the Pipe Band, who usually accompanies the pipers and drummers at competitions, was not present at the event. 鈥淭hey attended the games and performed under their own steam, which is admirable and made me feel very proud indeed,鈥 said Donaldson.
According to Wolfe, the cadets had opportunities to network with their counterparts from The Citadel. 鈥淲e traded advice on performance technique and the future of our respective pipe programs.鈥
