Home | About Us | Pictures | Roster | Our Stuff | Calendar | Music | Links | Contact | Join | Band Room

The Beginning

The band was officially formed in 2001 under the command of Battalion Chief J. Thompson as part of the department's Honor Guard.  Before this time the duties of piping at special events were performed by individuals (both department personnel who knew how to play and civilian). As the department grew so did the occasions where piping was needed. In 2001, a call for all department personnel interested in starting a new tradition was made and those interested showed up to the old station #4 (which is now the museum). Many had no experience. Some had been piping on their own at various skill levels. The department decided early on that the musical development and professional image of the band was a priority.  At the time,  one of the firefighters (David Thornburg) was taking lessons from an accomplished piper in the area and pitched the idea of instructing a new pipe band. Luckily he agreed and Dave McKenzie became the band's first Instructor/Pipe Major. Dave, a  member of the the successful competition band "The Grandfather Mountain Highlanders" convinced a band-mate living in the area to instruct the newly formed drum section. CC Zappa became the band's first Drum Sgt.   The addition of talented competition musicians to instruct this new group was a critical step.  Each week the members met in the upstairs room once used as the sleeping quarters by firemen decades ago. Practice continued regularly for 2 years before the band was ready to perform and by the summer of 2003 the countless hours paid off when Chief Thompson gave the band it's first assignment: The opening ceremony for The North Carolina Chief's Association (which was hosted by Charlotte that year).   This is a picture from that day in July.

 
The Founding Members
(L-R) Front: J. McGinnis, T. Ratchford, J. Myers, C. Zappa (instructor)
(Back row in white shirts) D. McKenzie (instructor), J. Huffman, D. Thornburg,
J. Price, J. Carroll
 

Since then the band continues to grow and improve thanks to new members who have committed their time and effort. In 2005 Justin Gonzalez took over the role of Pipe Major/Instructor.  Justin is also the the Pipe Major for the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders (recently participating in the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland) and is a very successful solo piper at the highest levels of international competition. In 2006 Engineer Jon McGinnis became the new Drum Sgt. heading the exciting drum corps.
     Chief Thompson announced his retirement in December of 2006 after a distinguished fire service career. Battalion Chief Lance Foulk became the new Honor Guard Commander and oversees operations of all ceremonial duties.
     By the summer of 2007 Engineer Jim Huffman moved into the position of Pipe Major. Jim has taken on the role with enthusiasm as the band moves towards the future.
     The Charlotte Fire Department Pipes & Drums travel and perform throughout the year. All Pipes & Drums members are career firefighters from the Charlotte Fire Department.