Firefighters Pipes and Drum Band hits an Irish high note

03/12/2008

By Frank Szivos

The first time, Kenny Walker of Fairfield, president of the Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drum Band, heard a bagpiper was at a firefighter's funeral.
The haunting and beautiful sound of the pipes touched his soul. He knew he wanted to play this instrument, which was an integral part of the firefighter's tradition. He eventually taught himself to play the pipes and the drums; it was his way to share in the brotherhood of firefighters and give back to his community.
One of the founding members of the Firefighters Pipes and Drums, which started 15 years ago, Walker, a firefighter for the Long Hill Fire Department, has hundreds of parades under his belt, but it never gets old. He's tuned up his bagpipes for the St. Patrick's Day parade on Monday, March 17 in Bridgeport. His Ramsey plaid kilt of red and black is pressed and ready to go.
Walker looks forward to the St. Patrick's Day season when the Pipes and Drum Band is booked solid, playing in parades, pubs, and for veterans' organizations. The Pipes and Drum Band played in the New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade and will march in the Stamford one prior to the Bridgeport parade.
"We enjoy playing in the Bridgeport parade," he said. "As far as we know, it's the only one in the state actually on St. Patrick's Day. The parade is growing and drawing more people every year. All the guys love being in it. We love this time of year."
The Bridgeport St. Patrick's Day parade kickes off at noon and is expected to draw more than 10,000 spectators over the 1.5 mile course that begins and ends at the Arena at Harbor Yard, winding through the city's downtown streets.
Eric Fine, a Westport firefighter, joined the band in 1994, playing the snare and bass drums. He got involve because the band is part of the camaraderie of firefighters.
"I knew people in the band and got involved; I got the bug," he said. "We're there for the fire service whenever we're needed."
But there's a bit of performer in every band member. Fine recalls the first time he marched in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade about 10 years ago. Marching down Fifth Avenue with the music playing and the crowds cheering sent a shiver down his spine.
"There was nothing like marching down Fifth Avenue. You never forget that feeling," Fine said. "We like to perform in all the parades. The crowds are so appreciative. We enjoy it, too."
During the last 15 years, the band has received several awards and trophies. The band members are quite proud of a 3rd place finish in the 1998 New York City St. Patrick's Day parade. The band was judged against more than forty other pipe bands. This past June, the band was named the Best Pipe and Drum Band in the Connecticut Veterans Day Parade. In 2001 the state recognized the band with the 2001 CT Treasures Award.
As a marching band, the Connecticut Pipes and Drum Band has to cope with the weather. Regardless of the rain, sleet, snow or frigid temperatures for St. Patrick's Day, the show must go on.
The band has performed in every conceivable type of weather condition from sleet and snow to 100 degree temperatures. In cold weather, Steve Shay, another original band member from the Norwalk Fire Department, only worries about his pipe reed freezing in cold weather. If that happens, he along with the other pipers with frozen reeds keep marching, hoping some of the 30 member band, can continue playing.
"The moisture in the reed can freeze, then the pipes get out of tune and won't play," Shay said. "You have to retune it while you're marching and hope you can go again. The weather makes no difference. We've played in it all. If there's a parade, we're there. We love it."
Last summer, the Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band played at the funeral of a Waterbury firefighter killed in the line of duty. The temperature hovered in the 90s and the band played on in its wool kilt and tunics and bore up for a brother firefighter.
Being a part of the Pipes and Drum Band is all about commitment. The band members have to balance work and family demands in addition to practicing and performing. There's also a financial commitment. Consider pipes cost about $1,500 each and the uniform, which is custom made, can also run another $1,500. The band member also commit to practicing for two hours once a week, and many take private pipes and drums lessons.
Playing in parades is only one venue for the band, which performs for many firefighter functions ranging from funerals to graduations. In most instances, the band plays for free or a nominal fee to cover its costs.
The purpose for all the playing and marching is about the firefighter's code of camaraderie that they live by.
"It is a commitment," Fine said. "We think it's an important part of our firefighter tradition. The band is there for the fire service in good times and bad. We all have to balance work, family and the band. But we love playing."