Tell newbie about kilt pins

[EagleJCS]

I am going to show my admitted ignorance here, but it seems to me and from what you say above, that the band members as a whole-----with exceptions I am sure --------- fail to understand what the whole package of the meaning of belonging to a pipe band. What do they join for then? Just for the music? Just to play the instruments? To go on jaunts to other parts of the country? Is this rather irresponsible attitude universal? If their band and its attire is so unimportant and the fact that "someone" other than themselves appears to pay for most of it? And they appear to care so little about the "uniform"? Then why do they belong to a pipe band?

Do the band members pay for any of their attire?

As a pipe band member (currently on hiatus), I'll try to answer some of your questions, from my perspective.

There are a lot of pipers and drummers that love the music, but think the 'whole kilt-thing' is a real pain in the posterior and would much rather have the focus be on the music. 'After all, outside of orchestras, no one else has to wear funny-looking outfits to play their music.' Many of those same folk also don't understand why pipe bands form a circle in competition in the outdoors (mainly so everyone can see the pipe major conducting the band with his foot) and think an orchestral arrangement (an arc on a stage) would be more appealing.

Some band members do join just to hang out and participate in excursions to other places. They play an instrument (usually drums, but sometimes people like this will take up the pipes), but don't really have any desire to progress in their mastery of the instrument.

Unfortunately, there does seem to be a pervasive attitude along the lines of 'I didn't pay for it, so I don't have to maintain it' here in the US, at least from what I've seen. Even when the band has a clause in their bylaws (if there are any) that any band-issued equipment must be returned in good condition upon leaving the band or the exiting member must pay for repair/replacement, some people just don't bother taking care of their equipment. That kind of attitude is beyond my understanding. Growing up, I was taught 'If you take care of your tools, they will take care of you' and 'Clothes aren't cheap - don't tear them or mess them up'. In many cases, bands decide it's not worth pursuing a small-claims (usually under US$1500) lawsuit because of the hassle of finding/retaining a lawyer, filing the suit, then having someone from the band available to actually go to court if necessary.

We have the same issue in the Scouting program - the young men (and now ladies) have to be taught how to care for their equipment and shown what happens if they don't. Sometimes, spending the night in a tent that wasn't cared for properly (rigging a replacement for a broken or missing pole, etc.) or having to spend extra time cleaning up a tool before they can actually use it teaches them better than a verbal discussion.

In my pipe band, members pay for their shoes, kilt hose, kilt pin (if desired), waist belt/buckle, shirts (long and short sleeve), Argyle jacket, Inverness cape (waterproof, not wool), and Glengarry. Many times, the band will order some of these items (mainly the kilt hose) in bulk and offer them to the band at cost, or slightly above, to reduce costs and make sure everyone gets the same look/color. Everything else (the kilt, cap badge, waistcoat, flashes and tie), the pipe chanter, reed & reed cap for the pipes and drums/carriers for the drummers, are provided by the band.

Hope that provides some insight.