History
The St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band was founded by Lars Sloane in 1988 as the Hamilton Pipe Band. In 1989, under Pipe Major Donald MacPhee and Drum Sergeant Gordon Sampson, many of the the top players throughout the region joined the band. From 1989 to 1993, the band rose from grade 4 to grade 2, establishing itself as the premier pipe band in the southern U.S. In 1993, the brand travelled to Scotland and finished 8th at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.
In 1997 to 2000, with Pipe Major Doug Frobese and Drum Sergeant Michael Brisch, the band returned to international competition. In 1997, the band won the grade 3 North America Championship in Maxville, Ontario. In 1998, the band won the grade 3A World Pipe Band Championship. In 1999, the band returned to Scotland to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships and took 3rd prize in grade 2.
From 2001 to 2009, under Pipe Major's Jeremy Freeman, Joss Fisher, and Doug McCrae and Drum Sergeant Michael Brisch, the band competed in grade 3 and grade 2 in North America. During this time, the band changed it's name to the St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band to reflect the signifigant membership of previous students from the St. Thomas Episcopal School and to encourage the school's pipers and and drummers to continue playing after graduation.
The band returned to the international competition scene in 2011 under the leadership of Pipe Major Jamie Gattinger and secured four consecutive Top 6 finishes at the World Pipe Band Championships between 2011 and 2014.
Today, St. Thomas Alumni is one of the premier pipe bands in the nation with a roster of nearly 50 members, many of whom travel hundreds of miles for the opportunity to play with this successful organization.
P/M Jamie Gattinger with the 2nd place trophy in grade 2 at the World Pipe Band Championships 2012
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