Anyone a piper in the Phx AZ area?

[Scratchy's Lass]

My father died 10/17, and we three sisters are working on some plans to release some of his ashes along with some of my Mother's (DOD 11/2004) in a small, private 'balloon release' memorial ceremony. We're still looking into how to do this from the Phx area since the 'ashes balloon' company's closest franchise is in Nevada.

In any event, we would like to have a piper assist us. Rather than hunt up someone in the yellow pages or similar, I thought I'd ask here first.

PM is fine if you prefer.
TIA!
m

[macwilkin]

My father died 10/17, and we three sisters are working on some plans to release some of his ashes along with some of my Mother's (DOD 11/2004) in a small, private 'balloon release' memorial ceremony. We're still looking into how to do this from the Phx area since the 'ashes balloon' company's closest franchise is in Nevada.

In any event, we would like to have a piper assist us. Rather than hunt up someone in the yellow pages or similar, I thought I'd ask here first.

PM is fine if you prefer.
TIA!
m

You might try one of these PHX/Mesa based pipe bands:

http://www.mcpb.org/

http://www.phoenixpb.org/

My condolences on the loss of your father -- may light perpetual shine upon him.

Regards,

Todd

[Sionnach]

Check with Thunderbolt. You might check with Glendale Pipe and Drum, Ford Dudley is the Pipe Major (he also taught my two oldest when they were in junior high) , his email is listed on their website- I believe this is it mailto: piperford@cox.net

Best wishes, very noble. We piped for my dad at his funeral in Grand Junction, CO and then piped to the local brewery after to celebrate him in grand fashion.

[Prester John]

I'm sorry to hear about your dad.

The above links are all good references. If you are ever in need of a piper in Prescott, my son is excellent.

[Scratchy's Lass]

I appreciate both your condolences and good wishes, and the referral info.

Might there be a 'protocol' reference site or such I could also check, relative to anything we should know on *our* end such as any additional courtesies to/for the Piper him/herself, or such, which we might not know about?
m

[Sionnach]

I mentioned this thread to Thunderbolt (who is a member of Xmarks and lives here in Phx metro) and asked him if he might contact you. I think he can answer alot of question for you. You might pm him directly as well. All the best in your search.

[macwilkin]

I appreciate both your condolences and good wishes, and the referral info.

Might there be a 'protocol' reference site or such I could also check, relative to anything we should know on *our* end such as any additional courtesies to/for the Piper him/herself, or such, which we might not know about?
m

I would contact one of our on-board pipers, such as JS Sanders in Memphis or Piobear in Florida for their opinion on appropriate protocol.

T.

[Thunderbolt]

Hi,

First, my condolences. Sorry for your loss.

Second, sorry I didn't see this sooner! Sionnach mentioned it to me last night, and here I am!

What you are referring to is a quaich. It's essantially just a shallow cup or bowl used for special occasions. Here's the wiki on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaich

They may or may not be given to the piper, but more often they are used to offer a drink to the piper during a ceremony of which the piper plays. It's most often used at the Burns' Supper. More a formality than required, although I know no piper who would pass up a wee nip!

As to your needs: I'd be honored to help in any way I can. The links posted by cajunscot will get you in contact with a good piper. I've played with Phoenix Pipe Band and wholly recommed them. Len Wood, the Pipe Major is a fantastic guy and an outstanding piper. He could also get you in touch with a member of the band to help you out if needed.

I could certainly help provided my schedule permits. Feel free to PM me if you like.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Thunderbolt

[Scratchy's Lass]

Hi,

First, my condolences. Sorry for your loss.

Second, sorry I didn't see this sooner! Sionnach mentioned it to me last night, and here I am!

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I'm fairly sure I've rambled on a bit in my PM to you.

What you are referring to is a quaich. It's essantially just a shallow cup or bowl used for special occasions. Here's the wiki on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaich

Ah! The closest my brain would get was 'Quiddich' or somesuch from the Harry Potter movies, LOL!! I couldn't even get the word close enough to search posts/threads or even the word cloud

They may or may not be given to the piper, but more often they are used to offer a drink to the piper during a ceremony of which the piper plays. It's most often used at the Burns' Supper. More a formality than required, although I know no piper who would pass up a wee nip!

Ah...... that reminds me I would want to know a couple of our piper's scotch preferences **wink** (Note to brain file: find and buy some flasks......) Personally, I think I will INSIST on raising a wee dram as the balloons are release upward - and to heck and fiddle with the local "drinking laws" (well, that's what flasks are for, right? HAH!)

As to your needs: I'd be honored to help in any way I can. The links posted by cajunscot will get you in contact with a good piper. I've played with Phoenix Pipe Band and wholly recommed them. Len Wood, the Pipe Major is a fantastic guy and an outstanding piper. He could also get you in touch with a member of the band to help you out if needed.

I could certainly help provided my schedule permits. Feel free to PM me if you like.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Thunderbolt

I would really like to pull in a piper from Xmarks, such as yourself

I'm awaiting further instructions from my other two sisters, one of whom is the primary decision maker as she's handling the closing out of my Dad's affairs. No date has been set yet, and we are waiting to hear back from the 'balloon' people since their nearest "franchise" is in Nevada. If I'm understanding my cc's in email from my other sister, there may be some logistical aspect where they send the customer the balloons to be filled and released on that end, or maybe we send the ashes to the balloon people and they send back filled balloon, just not sure at this point how it works w/o a in-area 'balloon provider/franchise'.

FWIW, while my Dad was inpatient at the Hospice unit, I had many conversations w/the nurses. One in particular, I mentioned that for myself (not wanting a funeral, burial, and all that) I want a helluva wake with lots of pipers and I figure that, well, if I gotta be dead then everybody else had better be darn hung-over in the morning! We got a stress-releaving laugh out of that that, and she agreed with my theory

My sisters I suspect, however, view the memorial event for my Dad (and Mom, too, tho she left 11/2004, we still have yet to scatter HER ashes) as a more sedate matter.
m

m

[PiobBear]

I would contact one of our on-board pipers, such as JS Sanders in Memphis or Piobear in Florida for their opinion on appropriate protocol.

In case anyone else is interested in my opinion on such matters...

"An aerial balloon release; that's a new one on me. I'd model it after a burial at sea (which I'm much more familiar with), which in regards to protocol is really not too different than an inurnment or graveside service (unless military). Typically, there is a committal ceremony, then the cremains are ceremonially dropped overboard.

It should be a no-brainer, but sadly it's not. At the very beginning, tell (don't ask) everyone to turn their cell phones, pagers, Blackberries, what-have-you OFF!

DO NOT SET YOUR CAR ALARM! Nobody's going to mess with your car, and a cat jumping on your hood to warm himself won't disrupt the service and spoil the moment.

If the ceremony takes place on turf (unpaved); ladies would be well advised not to wear heels, at least around here.

Generally speaking, "paying the piper"; ceremonially presenting them with a dram, with which they give a formal toast, toss it back, then flip the quaich over and kiss the bottom, is done at formal dinners, wedding receptions, etc., although it's been known to happen informally at wakes and receptions after funerals, too... a standard-issue whisky glass will suffice (a shot glass is much too small for a friendly dram, unless your piper really sucked!).

If there is a memorial service prior to the balloon release, eulogies are usually rendered there (unless in conflict with religious strictures); if not, they can be incorporated into the memorial service at the release site.
If there was no memorial service prior to the release, in addition to eulogies I would suggest the display of photos and mementos of your parents be incorporated; while photo boards are wonderful displays, bear in mind the possible wind and weather conditions as you'll be outdoors, and plan accordingly. The same holds true of things like candles; they can be used outdoors, but not without some planning.

I would suggest piping a prelude, which calls everyone's attention to the task at hand, and marks the beginning of the ceremony. This may be a lament or funeral march specific to the decedent's associations in life. There is often a hymn at the end of the interment service; typically "Amazing Grace", but there are many lovely laments and slow airs which might be appropriate. If burial at sea, or attending the actual interment, and in your case, watching the balloons floating away, I would suggest piping something appropriate at that moment. With burials at sea, particularly for naval personnel, I often "pipe the side" on a boatswain's pipe as the cremains are dropped overboard.
Particularly at graveside or inurnment services, after the family, officiant, or funeral director thanks the guests for their support of the family, announces a reception to follow, etc, I pipe a retreat march of some sort to mark the close of the ceremony.

Keep in mind that if either of your parents were veterans and it hasn't been incorporated into any previous memorial, they are entitled to military honors, which at the minimum includes a flag, a two person honor guard (one of which must be from their branch of service), a flag, and "Taps". Military honors are typically rendered at the conclusion of the service. In this case, the flag would be ceremonially unfolded, "Taps" sounded, and the flag folded into the traditional "cocked hat", and ceremoniously presented to the next of kin. A little known bit of protocol here; If you're a civilian, at the sounding of "Taps", place your hand over your heart.
When carrying cremains of a veteran, someone else carries their folded flag too, which is typically displayed during the service alongside the urn upright, on a tabletop picture frame stand, or in it's formal wood-and-glass triangular display case. If you're a civilian, as the flag-draped casket or flag and cremains passes in front of you, place your hand over your heart.

I do my very best to tailor my performance to the family's needs; the decedent's interests, faith, branch of service, and/or heritage determine the selection of tunes I would suggest. Your piper should do the same."