University of Iowa
Scottish Highlanders' Member Handbook
Practicing and performing the Scottish
Arts
The Scottish Highlander is
a student group dedicated to the practicing and performing the Scottish arts of
piping, drumming and dancing. Anyone interested in and dedicated to learning
one of these arts is welcome to join. A member does not need to be of Scottish
of Scottish ancestry. An interest in playing the bagpipes, Highland drumming or
dancing is all that is needed. Those living in the Iowa City area not
associated with the University are also encouraged to join.
All instruction and use of
equipment is free of charge, except pipers must purchase or provide their own
practice chanter (~$42). No previous experience in music or dance is required
to join any of the sections. The only thing asked of a member is commitment and
dedication to the organization.
As soon as a member becomes
proficient in playing an instrument or dancing, he/she may participate in the
many performances and competitions throughout the year. These include St.
Patrick’s Day parades, Homecoming, local parades, or Mardi Gras.
Because the Scottish
Highlanders are run by a student administrative board, it offers many
leadership opportunities for students. There is a student head for each section
and a student band manager and assistant manager. Throughout the year all
members are encouraged to participate in the organization and the
administration of the band. In addition to these opportunities, the
Highlanders are a great way to meet people at the university. Even after
graduation, many Highlanders stay in touch and participate in the band. The
Scottish Highlanders is one of the few groups at the University that can boast
over 1700 alumni.
Your role as a recruit
As a recruit, you are not
an official member of the UISH. Each year a formal initiation banquet is held
where those recruits, who have demonstrated dedication to the band and to
learning one of the Scottish arts, become official members. At the initiation
banquet the initiate is awarded with flashes¾
our symbol of membership.
A few basic requirements of
a recruit member are:
Three Sections
Dance
No previous experience is
necessary to join this section. Both male and female dancers are welcome. The
instructor arranges and runs each practice. If you miss one of them, he/she
must be notified. If you can not reach him/her, try the head dancer. If neither
is available, leave a message in the Dance section box in the office on the
desk. If you have questions about any aspect of Highland dancing or rehearsals,
address them to the instructor first.
The first dance a new
member will learn is the Highland Fling. It can take approximately one semester
to become proficient enough to perform it. Depending on practice and former
experience, it can take less time. Part of the time requirement is the
necessity not only to learn the steps of the dance, but also to become familiar
with warm up exercises and basic movements.
While learning new dances
there are still times when dancers are needed for parades and other events.
Some parades dancers have been at include the Homecoming parade, Halloween parade,
and Mt. Ayr, Iowa’s Ayr Days Parade.
After becoming familiar
with the Fling and basic movements, dancers usually stay with Highland dances
such as the Gillie Chalium (Sword Dance), Seann Triubhas, and the
Strathspey and Highland Reel. From there some National dances can learned, such
as Won’t Ye Come to the Barracks Johnnie (usually referred to as just the
Barracks).
Occasionally, guest dancers
or instructors will be brought to Iowa City to hold dance clinics to help
individuals improve their skills.
Drum Section
As with the dance section
no previous experience is necessary to join the drum section. The instruments
in the drum section are the snare, tenor and bass drum. All drummers receive
private lessons. Sectionals are also held for drum section members.
Familiarity with other
percussion is a help to learning Highland drumming more quickly.
Occasionally, guest experts
in art of drumming conduct clinics in Iowa City for the drum section.
Pipe Section
No prior experience or even
musical experience is needed to join the pipe section. The ability to read
music or having played a reed instrument before will help in playing the pipes.
It can take longer to become a performing member of the section than the other
two as bagpipes require diligence and practice to master. If one can’t decide
which section to join but is sure of eventually wanting to learn the play
pipes, starting with pipes is the best solution.
Most practice for the pipes
is done using a practice chanter. A chanter helps in learning fingering and
breath support. When actual pipes are played other techniques can be focused on
such as tuning and control of the bag. After becoming comfortable with the
practice chanter work with bagpipes will start. Even experienced pipers use the
practice chanter when learning new tunes and practicing.
History of the Scottish
Highlanders
On overseas duty during
World War 1, Colonel George F.N. Dailey saw the Back Watch Regiment and Pipe
Band. He was so impressed that the resolved to start a pipe band in the United
States. As Reserve Officer Training Corp at the State University of Iowa in
the 1930s, Col. Dailey took the first step toward his goal. He contacted
William Adamson of Boston who was well known for his outstanding ability on the
pipes. Mr. Adamson was hired as the director of the new Scottish
Highlanders, and he retained his position until his death in the 1965.
In the early years, the
Scottish Highlanders was an all-male unit, but by 1943 World War II had so
depleted male enrollment that women were invited to join. During the decades
that followed, Iowa’s Scottish Highlanders gained fame at home and abroad as the
world’s largest women’s pipe band. During this period, the Highlanders played
at Iowa football games, in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, on the "Ed
Sullivan Show," and on the "Tonight Show." They also made a trip
to Europe every ‘four years.
In 1971 the Highlanders
finally became a co-ed organization. Unfortunately, in 1980 the University was
forced to make across the board budget cuts. The University cut the Scottish
Highlanders funding completely. Membership dropped to a shadow of what is had
once been. A few loyal members persevered and were able to obtain funding from
the Hiland Potato Chip Company and establish the group as a student
organization.
The Highlanders no longer
receives support from Hiland but earns money from parades and performances. As
an official student organization we are also entitled to submit a budget and
receive funding from the University of Iowa. We also receive generous donations
from the Highlander’s alumni.
Uniforms
The Highlanders provide
most of the uniform parts. There is no charge for using the uniform, but there
are certain ways to treat a uniform. Kilts, hose, glengarries, belts and
sporrans are very expensive, but when treated correctly can last a long time.
When checking out a uniform a member must sign a form that enables the
Highlanders to charge the individual for damaged or missing pieces.
Care
The
Quartermaster is responsible for correct cleaning of all uniforms and any
questions should be addressed to him
if a member is in doubt.
Members should clean their uniform before returning it in the Spring. Since the
kilt is 100% wool it must be dry-cleaned. It should be hung on a skirt hanger.
The skirt hanger keeps the pleats from getting wrinkled which in turn saves on
trips to the cleaners. The Quartermaster can show how to use the hanger
correctly.
Hose must hand washed in
cold water (using something like Woolite) and should not be wrung out.
Hose should also be laid flat to dry. It is not appropriate to use a dryer, as
this will shrink the wool.
Some general uniform rules
are as follows:
A
stained kilt must be replaced.
of
St. Andrew’s Societies, Caledonian societies, and the like. As a form of
typical dress, it is not to be used as a Halloween costume.
3) Uniform pieces should be kept
together. A suit bag with a member’s name on it is recommended for this.
What is this thing anyway?
Uniform pieces:
1) Kilt- A kilt is not a skirt.
It is traditional male clothing in Scotland. The pleats go in the back. UISH
pipers, drummers, and male dancers
wear
Royal Stewart (the red based tartan), and female dancers wear Dress Stewart
(the white background). Non UISH tartans are
acceptable
at certain times also. As a recommendation members with no traceable clan
association or family name should not wear tartans
other
than ones used as general use. Some general use tartans are Royal, Dress, and
Hunting Stewart and Black Watch.
wear
the argyle hose.
3) Blacks- these are worn by
dancers under the kilt. A pair of short, dark colored shorts can be used for
this.
4) Glengarry- this is a hat.
Everyone but women dancers wear this. The Quartermaster can show the correct
way to wear it. Those with
long
hair may want to use bobby pins to hold the glengarry on as well as possibly
wearing a braid.
5) Flashes- these are garters
to keep the hose from falling down. They are a symbol of being a member in the
Highlanders. When
recruits
are initiated, they are given flashes. Until members can wear flashes, rubber
bands or elastic is used. Dancers generally don’t
wear
flashes in competition.
6) White shirt- this
is worn by pipers, drummers, and male dancers. It should be an oxford style
dress shirt. Each member provides his
own
dress shirt which is worn with a black tie (also provided by each member).
7) Shoes- shoes are to be black
dress shoes with a dark sole and black heel. Members are required to provide
these also. The
Quartermaster
can help with purchase if the need arises. The standard shoes worn with day
wear are generally Ghillie Broughes
but
these are not required.
Quartermaster
for help finding a vendor.
9) Black Vest- this is worn
with the blouse.
10) Ghillies- these are dance
shoes. They have a thin sole similar to ballet shoes. This being the case they
are inappropriate and
uncomfortable
to wear during a parade when plain black dress shoes similar to item 7 above.
During warm and cold
weather uniform modifications are made. If the weather is particularly hot,
jackets and shirts with rolled up sleeves are sometimes worn. During cold
weather it is advisable to wear something warm under the uniform as long as is
doesn’t interfere or detract from the appearance of the individual or group as
a whole.
Rain capes are also
provided when individuals must march in parades in the rain. These are checked
out and returned the day of the performance.
Decisions to change the
uniform are at the discretion of the Quartermaster or Band Manager.
Executive Committee
The executive committee is
the administrative board of the Scottish Highlanders. This committee makes most
financial decisions, does the band’s paperwork and handles public relations.
Its voting members are the Band Manager Pipe Sergeant, Drum Sergeant, Head
Dancer, and the First Year representative. The Assistant Band Manager is also
on the executive committee but does not have a vote.
Unless specified meetings
are open to the whole organization; moreover, all members are encouraged to
attend to add input and ideas to the organization.
In the Spring, elections
are held for Band Manager, Assistant Manager, and Quartermaster. Section heads
are not elected. They are appointed by their respective section instructor.
They represent the interests of their section on the executive committee.
During the early part of
each year, all recruits elect a representative from their ranks to voice their
interests.
New Member Responsibility
Due to the fact that the
UISH is an all-volunteer organization except for the instructors, common
courtesy is very important. New members should value their lesson, sectional,
and full band times. When a member (this includes all members) must miss a
scheduled meeting, he should call the individual responsible for the meeting,
rehearsal, or lesson. As most members of the UISH are students it is understood
that tests and studying take priority. This does not mean that individuals are
allowed to participate in Highlander events when they have poor attendance;
most lessons are scheduled to not interfere with class times.
The fall semester is an
ideal time for new members. Since there are not many experienced Highlanders
due to graduation, new members and their training are what take a high priority
this year. Being a smaller group, the instructors have more time to dedicate to
individualized attention and development of the new member. New members should
know that all instruction is absolutely free and value that.