The Penn York Highlanders will be performing in the Knights of Columbus St. Patrick's Day ball and dinner held at the JFK Parish Center on Third St. in Towanda this Saturday.
The band claims to be one of the oldest active pipe bands in North America, having been performing since 1956. The main "gig" for the musicians is the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Scranton, which is the second largest in the nation.
Their mission is to preserve the music of the Scottish Irish heritage in order to educate and to maintain a traditional military style pipe band.
On average the band brings forward a group of 16 bagpipe and drum players to play Scottish and Irish traditional music.
At each performance the band dresses in historically accurate plaid kilts along with other period correct clothing.
The highlanders draw inspiration from a British army unit in World War I which attacked German lines playing bagpipes and wearing Royal Stewart kilts.
The band also holds the distinction of having played before the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic.
If interested in becoming a member, tutoring is offered for bagpipes, and snare, bass, and tenor drums. The necessary instruments and uniforms are furnished by the band.
The greatest pride for the band, they said, comes from being asked to participate in celebrations throughout the New York and Pennsylvania areas. It is seen as an opportunity to spread knowledge about Scottish and Irish heritage, and maybe bring a smile to a few faces too.
Admission to the K of C St. Patrick's Day ball and dinner is $100 per couple which includes hors d'oeuvres, a dinner buffet, and appetizers after the main meal.
For more information on the dinner, contacting Jim Barrett of the K of C at (570) 265-8887.
Tim Zyla can be reached at (570) 265-1634; or e-mail: tzyla@thedailyreview.com.
