About the Desert Thistle Pipe Band

The Desert Thistle Pipe Band is a community pipe band in southeastern Washington state that meets every Tuesday evening at the Kennewick High School Cafeteria during the school year and at Howard Amon Park in Richland during the Summer months. The band currently consists of about 14 pipers and about 9 drummers. The competition "Medley Band" consists of 6 pipers and 6 drummers and currently competes at a Grade III level.

The Desert Thistle Pipe Band is a non-profit organization and raises funds through performances for various events and competitions. The third (and sometimes fourth) Saturday in February, the band holds a concert for the community that features the band, dancing, solo piping, and guest bands. Featured bands have been Skweez The Weezle, Seanachie, and Raven.

Practice for “Bagpipes for Beginners” classes through Kennewick Community Education program are on Tuesday evenings from 6:15pm until 7:15pm. Practice takes place at Kennewick High School in the Cafeteria or room 408 when available.

Drum Sergeant Glen Wright instructs beginning Side, Base, and Tenor drummers. Pipe Major Judy Morrison instructs beginning pipers on practice chanters with help from various available pipe band members. Pipe Sergeant Don Stewart works with beginning pipers.

General Pipe Band practice begins at 7:00 and runs for about an hour and a half at which time the Medley Band practices for 30 to 45 minutes on competition tunes.

If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to contact us.