The history of the Louisville Pipe Band dates to the mid-1970's. Our organization is dedicated to furthering Celtic arts and traditions of piping and drumming by performances, competition, instruction, and education. We are a musical and educational group. We are not a heritage group or social fraternity.
One of Kentucky's key historical figures, Daniel Boone, was employed by Col. Richard Henderson. The band wears the Ancient Henderson tartan in recognition of that historical relationship. Clan Henderson assisted with the initial purchase of kilts in September 1994 and continues to kindly provide periodic financial support.
The Louisville Pipe Band is the result of a dedicated effort to create a community pipe band for the Louisville area. Since its formation in the mid-1970's the band has established itself as Kentucky's pre-eminent piping and drumming group. The band is under the musical direction of Pipe Major (PM) Robert Caudill. It is a community pipe band, similar to those found throughout the world. The band represents the area at regional performances and competitions. Fostering understanding and appreciation of Celtic music is the primary purpose of the band. Through performance, competition, and teaching, the band promotes this worthy goal.
Organized piping and drumming in Louisville and therefore the LPB dates to the mid-1970's. At that time, two area high schools periodically used the Great Highland Bagpipe as a part of their band programs -- Jeffersontown High School beginning in the mid-1960's and Floyd Central High School in southern Indiana later. The Kosair Shriners also sponsored a bagpipe unit. Most original members of the band came from one of these organizations. Unfortunately, instruction provided by these organizations was inconsistent. Also, members of the community at large had only limited accessibility to any of these groups. The LPB welcomed bandsmen who relocated to our community. Some of these have been U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Ft. Knox. They made immeasurable contributions to the band's progress. Training programs developed by the band have produced most of those on the current roster. These members got their start as students of the band and developed into active members. They are also the future of the band.
In the mid-1970's, several members of the Jeffersontown High School band made an effort to contact other pipers in the community. Skip Cleavinger (currently Kentucky's most successful solo competitor) was active in this effort and continues to contribute to the band as an instructor. Fellow students, David James and Robert Caudill, were involved in these early sessions. Rob Modys ultimately came to lead a group that began to rehearse at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Billy Wallace was the band's first Drum Sergeant. The band had no matching gear but did manage to present several regional performances before dissolving following the departure of key members to attend college. Shortly afterward, Bill Wallace, a member of the Kosair band, assembled some of his more promising students into the Pegasus Pipe Band. With the inclusion of weekend members from the earlier group, the band grew under PM Charlie Marlatt's direction. During this period, the band began to purchase uniforms, other matching materials, and began to compete. PM Marlatt was a founder of the Highland Games in Carrollton Kentucky and under his leadership the band was host to the first incarnation of that event. He eventually relocated due to work and went on to become the PM of the Capital City Pipes and Drums of Columbus, Ohio and later the Cyril Scot Pipe Band. Dr. Andy Henry then served briefly as interim PM before Robert Caudill (a Jeffersontown H.S. alumnus who had played in the bands earliest versions) returned from college to rebuild the group once again. From 1984-91, PM Caudill organized the band around an educational format. The band's name was changed to the Louisville Pipe Band and a training program was instituted offering free instruction. Pat Benningfield led the band from 92-95 and emphasized competition success and an elevated standard of play. Since that time, the band, again under the direction of PM Caudill, band seeks to continue to expand its base and grow as a musical and community organization.
Many others, too numerous to name, have contributed their time and talents to the goal of establishing and sustaining a quality pipe band in the city of Louisville. We hope you too will join us in that effort.
