SCPB and friends jam in Grand Island

GRAND ISLAND, Neb., June 28, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band together with the Midlands Highland Dancers and Prairie Plaide took to the stage to perform in Grand Island's annual Ethnic Festival. For the first time ever, SCPB and Prairie Plaide performed several numbers together throughout the performance - a pretty amazing feat for integrating bagpipes with a Celtic band consisting of varied instruments! The Midlands Highland Dancers not only performed - excellently we might add, but also managed to instruct, on the fly, several Festival goers on how to dance a Scottish Country dance to the tune 'The Gay Gordon's'. Everyone had an excellent time - including the Festival goers!

SCPB takes 4th in Medley, avoids near disaster

CHICAGO, Ill., June 21, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band narrowly avoided a disqualification incident and managed to walk away with 4th place in their Medley competition. SCPB experienced an extremely last minute equipment failure which threatened to eliminate one of their players; putting them under the minimum number of players needed to compete according to MWPBA guidelines. "Having an off day - that happens and is to be expected from time to time; Equipment failure in the final tuning circle... that's an entirely different matter - one that could cost you everything!" said Don Udhus, SCPB's Pipe Major. "We pulled it together in the 11th hour and managed 4th place; we'll take it this time, but we'll be better prepared from here on out."

SCPB takes 1st in MSR, Best Drum Corps & Best Pipe Band!

MILWAUKEE, Wis., June 7, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band took to the competition field at the Milwaukee Highland Games and performed their MSR competition set - taking 1st place in the grade III class and winning Best Drum Corps (we were the only grade III band there, but hey! We really smoked the score sheets with an excellent performance!). Also, Our very own tenor drummer, Morgan, competed and won 1st in the tenor-group drumming competition!! Way to go Morgan!! SCPB did, however, have competition for their third award; Best Pipe Band. SCPB is honored to win the Best Pipe Band award and would like to congratulate all pipe bands in attendance for their hard work and excellent performances!

SCPB performs for Memorial Day service.

MEAD, Neb., May 26, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, via its Highland Music Outreach Program, joined local Veterans in Mead, Nebraska for the Mead Memorial Day Service held on Monday, May 25, 2008. SCPB played for guests as they arrived, during the service and piped the closing of the ceremonies - adding a special touch to the Memorial Day Service. The ceremony was enjoyed and appreciated by all who attended.

SCPB takes 1st in Medley.

FARMINGTON, Minn., May 17, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band took to the competition field for the very first time at the Minnesota Highland Games. Competing in the grade III class - SCPB performed their MSR and Medley sets; winning 2nd in the MSR competition and taking 1st in the Medley! "We put on a 'descent' performance. We have some improvements to make - but not too bad for playing it as an entire band for only the second time!" said Alex Stewart, an SCPB Piper, when asked about the band's Medley performance.

SCPB jams with MRC and Ace Frehley.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., May 9, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band joined Matt's Rocket Collection to open for Ace Frehley - lead guitarist for the rock band KISS. Performing in a very packed Whiskey Roadhouse in Council Bluffs, IA; SCPB surprised the audience and took to the stage to jam with MRC in their grand finale - a tribute to the rock band AC/DC. The performance was a hit! Fans of all ages were thrilled by MRC's performance and shocked by the inclusion of bagpipes. SCPB wishes to thank Matt's Rocket Collection for inviting us to come perform! We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the performance and loved the chance to jam!

SCPB and MHD do a jig this St. Patrick's Day weekend.

OMAHA, Neb., March 15, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, via its Highland Music Outreach Program, joined the Midlands Highland Dancers for a fun-filled afternoon performing for several retirement communities. SCPB and MHD wish to thank everyone at Remmington Heights in Omaha, Ashland Care Center in Ashland and the Veteran's Home in Bellevue for inviting us to come perform! We thoroughly enjoyed celebrating St. Patrick's Day with you this year!

SCPB performs in 'Brigadoon' for mid-winter musical.

YUTAN, Neb., Febuary 28, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, via its Highland Music Outreach Program, performed in Yutan High School's mid-winter musical 'Brigadoon'. SCPB wishes to thank Mr. Jon B. Gathje for the performance invitation. We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of such a talented group! The cast and crew at Yutan High School put on three (3) spectacular shows - all were a hit!

SCPB entertains a few close friends.

OMAHA, Neb., February 2, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band hosted their first annual Band Mess (formal dinner) for 45 of their close friends and band members. Their special guest, the Midlands Highland Dancers, joined the band for a fun filled night. Three different professionally prepared gourmet entrées were presented to dinning guests, along with a plethora of other complimentary dishes. The dessert selection included gourmet cheesecakes, Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua chocolate to name two of them, along with a Lithuanian tort and custom ice cream sundaes. After dessert, the band struck up and played a few sets including their new 2008 Medley and the Midlands Highland Dancers performed a Highland Fling and even a Jig! Awards were given out and a few group activities were enjoyed by all! We are definitely looking forward to next year's Band Mess!

SCPB expands payment options to its customers.

OMAHA, Neb., January 5, 2008 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band launched their new online piper payment system today. This new system offers potential customers many different ways to pay for their bagpiper; traditional credit cards are still accepted as well as newer methods of payment including PayPal account payments and e-Check payments. "Customers are very important to us; as well as providing premier pipers for our events, we want to make their experience ordering our piping services a positive one." said Don Udhus, President of Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band. Indeed this new system will offer clients many different ways to 'pay the piper'!

SCPB & the Midlands Highland Dancers perform under the tree.

OMAHA, Neb., November 30, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band and the Midlands Highland Dancers performed for the community at the Durham Western Heritage Museum. The evening was filled with a variety of ethnic performances from many talented groups! We enjoyed being a part of this multi-cultural event! We can't wait to participate again next year! Check out our Gallery for some pictures from this event!

SCPB & the Midlands Highland Dancers put on a show for the community.

BELLEVUE, Neb., November 25, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band and the Midlands Highland Dancers put on a show for the community at this years Worldfest in Bellevue, Nebraska. The afternoon event was not piping; the Midlands Highland Dancers also performed - showcasing Highland Dance with their exceptional talents! We enjoyed being a part of Worldfest - certainly a good time was had by all! We can't wait to participate again next year! Read an article in the Omaha World Herald

SCPB & the Midlands Highland Dancers put on a full concert for TJHS.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., November 13, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, via its Highland Music Outreach Program, put on their Live In Concert performance for Thomas Jefferson High School students and local residents. "This is a unique opportunity and experience for my students and others; they probably would not have ever gone out of their way to find this unique instrument and get this kind of experience." said Steven Moore, Director of Bands at Thomas Jefferson High School. The evening was not just about piping; the Midlands Highland Dancers also performed throughout the concert - bringing the Highland Dance experience into the lime light with their exceptional talents! SCPB wrapped up the evening by playing with the TJHS band. We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of such an energetic and extremely talented group! Certainly a good time was had by all and the feedback has been unanimously positive! SCPB would like to thank Thomas Jefferson High School and especially Mr. Steven Moore for organizing this event.

SCPB performs in 'Brigadoon' for fall musical.

PAPILLION, Neb., November 1, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, via its Highland Music Outreach Program, performed in Papillion-La Vista South High School's fall musical 'Brigadoon'. SCPB wishes to thank Ms. Cheri Helmer-Riensche for the performance invitation. We thoroughly enjoyed being a part of such an energetic and extremely talented group! The cast and crew at Papillion-La Vista South High School put on four (4) spectacular shows; one for the Junior High School Students and three sold-out shows for the general public - all were a hit!

Free Highland Games sure to be a crowd pleaser!

OMAHA, Neb., October 26, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, Inc. announced the launching of the Midlands Celtic Festival, the latest Highland Games to come to the Midwest. The Midlands Celtic Festival is scheduled to be held at the Levi Carter Park on July 12, 2008. Plans are underway to provide a wide variety of events - a Highland Dance competition, Solo Piping and Pipe Band competition and Heavy Athletics plus many more are in the works. Admission to the Midlands Celtic Festival will be free to the public.

SCPB plays at Okto Beerfest.

OMAHA, Neb., October 4, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, Inc., via its Highland Music Outreach Program, performed for the Nebraska State Stroke Association's 14th annual Okto Beerfest in Lincoln, NE. With over 140 different types of beers to sample, a good time was had by all! Read an article from the JournalStar.com HERE.

SCPB to sponsor new Highland Games.

OMAHA, Neb., October 1, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, Inc. announced today its intention to sponsor a new Highland Games in Omaha, NE. The new Highland Games, tentatively scheduled for July 12, 2008, will put a spot light on Scottish and Celtic heritage and have a wide variety of events. Among the events scheduled are a Highland Dance competition, Solo Piping and Pipe Band competition and Heavy Athletics.

SCPB joins the Midlands Highland Dancers - take center stage

FREMONT, Neb., September 16th, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, Inc. joined the Midlands Highland Dancers today for the Fremont Festival in Fremont, NE. It was an outstanding performance for both groups!

Midlands Highland Dancers to put on FREE recital

OMAHA, Neb., September 5th, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, Inc. will join the Midlands Highland Dancers for a FREE dance recital to be held on November 17th at 2:00pm. This event will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5217 N 54th St. Omaha, NE 68104.

New program will create new opportunities for all involved

OMAHA, Neb., July 28th, 2007 - Strathdon Caledonia Pipe Band, Inc. announced today its new Highland Music Outreach Program. The new Highland Music Outreach Program will afford qualified organizations in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro areas and surrounding areas the opportunity to experience live Scottish music and culture. Click HERE for more information.

SCPB was invited to perform with the Midlands Highland Dancers in the Ashland Stir-Up Celebration Parade on Saturday, July 21st! A fun time was had by all! There were many fun activities for all ages... can't wait until next year!

Band merchandise is now available on-line. We have partnered up with Cafepress.com and are now offering lots of different types of band merchandise. Check out our merchandise section!

The new SCPB website was launched today! Look for photos, band merchandise and more in the coming months. Please contact the webmaster if you have any problems with the site.