Bagpipe Band

The bagpipe band shares music with Nauvoo visitors throughout the day. The band performs before the daytime historical vignettes, marches in a daily parade, marches country fair patrons from fairground to pageant seating, begins the show, and performs in a pageant scene. In addition to their pageant responsibilities, the bagpipe band also performs in several community concerts and parades in neighboring towns throughout the summer.

To participate, pipers should:

• Be able to provide, maintain, and tune their own pipes, keep time with other pipes, and play while marching.
• Have experience marching in parades, playing in pipe bands or with other pipers, or performing in competitions.
• Provide their own full formal performance attire, including kilts and regalia, footgear, sporran, and belt. Shirts will be provided by the pageant costume staff.
• Learn basic repertoire for performing as a group, including “Scotland the Brave,” several Latter-day Saint hymns, and standard march tunes.

New pipers to the Nauvoo Bagpipe Band must submit an audition video.

Applications are typically accepted from September to October each year but can be as late as May. On the talent/biographical section of the application, please indicate your experience and how many years you have been playing, including if you have played with a pipe band, if you have marched in parades, and if you have participated in competitions and at what grade level. If other family members have special talents such as drumming, Scottish dancing, or band support, please indicate these abilities on the talent/biographical section as well. Pipers meet regularly with family casts in district meetings, picnics, and cast meetings.

Those 18 years of age or older may apply on their own. Youth younger than 18 years of age must apply with their parent or guardian.

Bagpipe band members are responsible for their own transportation, housing, and meals. The pageant meal plan option will be available to the bagpipe band. The bagpipe band is a volunteer position.

View Pageant Participant Common Questions