A WEE BIT ABOOT ME
I have always loved the sound of bagpipes, then in 1979 when I was but a lad of 30 opportunity
knocked. I was Introduced to Thomas S. Coulson, a World War II piper with the Essex - Scottish
Regiment of Canada. Tom took me under his wing and patiently passed on his years of experience
and his love of the pipes to me, for which I will forever be grateful. (See photos below) What an
amazing and thrilling gateway to adventure piping has been and continues to be! This journey has
brought me untold enjoyment, taken me to places I otherwise would have never been and has
resulted in friendships with many wonderful people.
I have always loved the sound of bagpipes, then in 1979 when I was but a lad of 30 opportunity
knocked. I was Introduced to Thomas S. Coulson, a World War II piper with the Essex - Scottish
Regiment of Canada. Tom took me under his wing and patiently passed on his years of experience
and his love of the pipes to me, for which I will forever be grateful. (See photos below) What an
amazing and thrilling gateway to adventure piping has been and continues to be! This journey has
brought me untold enjoyment, taken me to places I otherwise would have never been and has
resulted in friendships with many wonderful people.
- The Essex Scottish
crossing over the canal
bridge captured by the
unit during fighting in
Groningen, Holland, on
the 15th of April 1945, the
day following the action.
Tom Coulson, a graduate
of the Army School of
Bagpipe Music in
Edinburgh, Scotland, and
student of the Legendary
Pipe Major William
(Willie) Collie Ross, M.V.
O, M.B.E. (1878-1958) was
a member of this Essex
Scottish Regiment. In the
photo he may be seen,
second piper on the far
left.
- I am honored to be a member and the official piper of Clan Uisdean USA
(Oosh-dn), whose members descend from Chief Hugh MacDonald, Lord
of the Isles, and of which my own last name derives. I am a member of
Clan Maxwell USA and the third generation of my line of Maxwell’s to be
born on American soil.
I was with the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums for the September
11, 2002 memorial service at Sec Taylor Stadium in Des Moines, then in
Waterloo in 2007 when we led Iowa’s 133rd Infantry into their return
ceremony from Iraq after a record setting two years of service (featured
in the CBS 60 min. Documentary Fathers, Sons & Brothers).
I’m a member of the Newton Masonic Lodge, the DesMoines Scottish
Rite Consistory, a Knight of the Royal Order of Scotland, Edinburgh, and
member of the Scottish American Military Society.
My friend and piping student, Norwood BayBridge is the founding Pipe
Major of the South Dakota Highlanders Pipes & Drums and the El Riad
Shrine Pipe & Drum Unit of Sioux Falls.
- For the past 6 years its been a great honor and privilege for me to Pipe
at the annual State of Iowa Golden Dome Awards Ceremony, hosted by
Governor Tom Vilsack and Lt. Governor Sally Pederson, then by
Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge. The Golden Dome
Awards Ceremony is held in our State Capital building under its Rotunda
and recognizes our outstanding state employees.
Over the years I have piped at numerous firefighter, peace officer, and
military memorials, piped our troops into their deployment as well as
return ceremonies, parades, weddings, funerals, and special occasions
throughout Iowa.
Tom Coulson after the War,
taken at the armories in
Windsor.
taken at the armories in
Windsor.
The sound of the pipes and the visual presence of a piper in uniform is guaranteed to make your
Social or business function unforgettable; no matter what the circumstance:
Wedding - Anniversary - Reception - Funeral - Memorial - Commemoration
Patriotic Observance - Convention - Official Dinner - Reunion or Fund Drive
Your Guests will be captivated when they hear the sound that has touched so many in the past.
(And they don't even have to be Scottish!)
WEDDINGS
Having a bagpiper at a wedding is a way for the bride and/or groom to celebrate, honor, and connect
with their Celtic roots or just to do something different and exciting. Many people ask how and when
to use the bagpipes for the wedding ceremony. In my experience, the bagpipes fit exceptionally well
at four basic times;
BEFORE THE WEDDING STARTS: 10 to 15 minutes before the ceremony begins is known as Calling of
the Pipes. Calling of the Pipes sets the mood of the ceremony and acts as a background that sets the
stage for the wedding itself (can be inside or outside as guests arrive and lets those attending know
the ceremony will be starting shortly).
PROCESSIONAL: Occasionally the bride or the groom will wish to walk up the aisle with the bagpiper
leading them in.
DURING THE WEDDING: As a solo or to accompany lighting the unity candle.
RECESSIONAL: Almost always the bagpiper leads the newlyweds back down the aisle. I would
recommend that if you wish to incorporate the instrument at all, reserving the bagpipe for the end of
the service always gives the most dramatic results, especially if the guests and family members have
no idea a bagpiper is present.
FUNERALS - MEMORIALS - COMMEMORATIONS
Memorial services across the nation pay tribute to our country's veterans, firefighters, peace
officers, and our civilian loved ones in a way like no other when the distant sounds of Amazing
Grace are heard. There is probably no more dramatic or effective way to conclude the service of a
loved one.
Bagpipes played at funerals can touch the deepest emotions. For centuries pipers have played to
commemorate the loss of a loved one. The soulful and haunting sounds of the ancient scale express
convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey.
The pipes can be utilized at any point during the funeral service, it's purely a personal choice, but
here are a few suggestions of where to involve the piper.
*As the congregation arrives for the service
*Leading the coffin into the service
*Leading the coffin to the hearse after the service
*While the coffin is carried from the hearse to the graveside
*After the final prayer at the graveside, with the sound of the pipes fading into the distance
Call or e-mail Ron for details
Social or business function unforgettable; no matter what the circumstance:
Wedding - Anniversary - Reception - Funeral - Memorial - Commemoration
Patriotic Observance - Convention - Official Dinner - Reunion or Fund Drive
Your Guests will be captivated when they hear the sound that has touched so many in the past.
(And they don't even have to be Scottish!)
WEDDINGS
Having a bagpiper at a wedding is a way for the bride and/or groom to celebrate, honor, and connect
with their Celtic roots or just to do something different and exciting. Many people ask how and when
to use the bagpipes for the wedding ceremony. In my experience, the bagpipes fit exceptionally well
at four basic times;
BEFORE THE WEDDING STARTS: 10 to 15 minutes before the ceremony begins is known as Calling of
the Pipes. Calling of the Pipes sets the mood of the ceremony and acts as a background that sets the
stage for the wedding itself (can be inside or outside as guests arrive and lets those attending know
the ceremony will be starting shortly).
PROCESSIONAL: Occasionally the bride or the groom will wish to walk up the aisle with the bagpiper
leading them in.
DURING THE WEDDING: As a solo or to accompany lighting the unity candle.
RECESSIONAL: Almost always the bagpiper leads the newlyweds back down the aisle. I would
recommend that if you wish to incorporate the instrument at all, reserving the bagpipe for the end of
the service always gives the most dramatic results, especially if the guests and family members have
no idea a bagpiper is present.
FUNERALS - MEMORIALS - COMMEMORATIONS
Memorial services across the nation pay tribute to our country's veterans, firefighters, peace
officers, and our civilian loved ones in a way like no other when the distant sounds of Amazing
Grace are heard. There is probably no more dramatic or effective way to conclude the service of a
loved one.
Bagpipes played at funerals can touch the deepest emotions. For centuries pipers have played to
commemorate the loss of a loved one. The soulful and haunting sounds of the ancient scale express
convictions and feelings that words alone may fail to convey.
The pipes can be utilized at any point during the funeral service, it's purely a personal choice, but
here are a few suggestions of where to involve the piper.
*As the congregation arrives for the service
*Leading the coffin into the service
*Leading the coffin to the hearse after the service
*While the coffin is carried from the hearse to the graveside
*After the final prayer at the graveside, with the sound of the pipes fading into the distance
Call or e-mail Ron for details
| Ron is a professional full time Bagpiper, serving Iowa in times of celebration and sorrow |
| 641-521-8181 ron@iowabagpipe.com |
Tom & Ron in the early 1980s
| 641-521-8181 ron@iowabagpipe.com |
Tom, an accomplished
piper even in his
golden years
piper even in his
golden years
Call or email Ron for details
 | |  | |  | |  |
