Band History
In the Summer of 2006 members from the Georgetown (Texas) Fire Department decided it was time to have a Pipes and Drums band. This was the begining of The Georgetown Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band.
Several things came together to get it going. Jeff Davis (Q1A) vacationed to Scotland and became interested in piping and bought his chanter while there. When he returned to Central Texas he started taking lessons from Nick Classen, a member of Capitol City Highlanders in Austin. Carl Boatright (E2C) returned from FDIC where there was a band in the opening ceremony and he asked why the GFD did not have a band. E-mails passed around and Jeff Davis took the lead. Mark Moss (BC1A), David England (E3C), and Carl Boatright bought chanters and started taking lessons from Nick. E-mails were sent out to the members of the department asking if there was any other intrest. The band grew with the addition of Robert Gordon (Q1A), Amadoor Anguiano (Q1A), Matt Wilson (E3C), Scott Laurich (Q1C), Gary Traxler (Q1C), and Tommy Bizzell (Q4C).
Some members of the band were able to make it the the 2006 Salado Highland Games. We met some new friends and learned a lot. Jeff kept everyone pumped up and drove each member at his own pace. Jeff and Mark bought their pipes from Scottland and other members bought their practice drum pads and chanters. Jeff was the first to be able to play and everyone fed off of him.
The band held it’s first meeting on 11/25/06 at Station 1 and elected Jeff as our first President, and David as our first Treasuer. The band decided on the Royal Steward for our Tartan. The group decided to be an independant organization and raise money for equipment and trips.
