Join Us

CORPS MEMBERSHIP

As a Corps member, you can learn to play the pipes or drums, learn new pieces of music, and participate in various performances. For non-playing members, you can join the Honor Guard and render honors through presentation of the Colors. We offer free instruction and provide some of the necessary uniform.

MEMBERSHIP TYPES

There are three main types of membership in the Corps: Full Membership, Associate Membership, and Junior Corps.

FULL MEMBERSHIP – Any person with documented paid or volunteer public safety or military service (current, past, or retired) is eligible for Full membership. Immediate family members of public safety personnel are eligible for full membership. Immediate family is limited to mother, father, sister, brother, children, and/or spouse. Only Full members have voting privileges. Minimum age for Full membership is 16 years old.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP – Students or other interested persons may obtain Associate membership through sponsorship by a Full Member. Associate members can be performing or non-performing status. Minimum age for Associate membership is 16 years old.

JUNIOR CORPS – Any youth wishing to begin or continue the study of Highland bagpiping or Scottish style drumming may join our Junior Corps. Junior Corps members can perform with the regular Corps band after they have demonstrated to the Pipe Major and Drum Major proficiency in marching and music. Requirements for student status are as follows:

1. Be a minimum of 10 years of age
2. Must maintain passing grades in school
3. Shall sign and abide by a signed contract with the Corps
4. Must have a signed parental consent form
5. Will not be allowed to participate in any Corps function that interferes with their school activities

Junior Corps members may be considered for Full or Associate membership once they reach 16 years old. The Corps may allow a maximum of eight (8) participants to be in the Junior Corps.

MEMBERSHIP PROCESS

Any person who subscribes to the purposes of the Corps as described in the “Mission Statement” of our By-Laws shall be eligible for membership. If you would like to see what we are all about, come to one of our practices and check us out. If you want to be considered for membership, fill out an application and turn it in. You will be placed in a probationary status until you have attended 5 practices or 3 months, whichever occurs first.

Upon completion of 5 practices within 3 months, your application will be presented at the Corps’ next business meeting for review and vote. If you do not make the 5 practices within 3 months, you may not be considered for membership unless there has been extraordinary circumstances.

The purpose of this probationary period is for the Corps to observe and evaluate your abilities, motivation, sincerity, and personal qualities prior to acceptance as a member of our Corps. You do not have to be able to play an instrument, yet, to be considered for membership.

Eligibility for membership shall be without regard to race, sex, religion, nationality, or personal inclination.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Members are expected to attend Corps practices and functions on a regular basis. Practices are on Tuesday nights from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and are held in Freeport, ME at either the Fire Department or the Masonic Hall.

Members are expected to tune and maintain their instruments in good playing state for band rehearsals and performances. All members should conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the Corps and its stated purposes. All members will receive a copy of the bylaws and shall sign to agree to its terms.The membership term shall begin with the first day of January and end on the last day of December. New members joining on or after the first day of August shall be in good standing to the end of that membership year. The annual dues shall be set at the annual meeting. (Currently, dues are $20.00)

UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

It is the intention of the Corps to present a professional appearance at every event. The Corps will supply some of the required uniform and issue it to the Corps member. The Corps member is responsible for the remainder of the uniform.

The following will be issued to a member by the Corps as available:

• Kilt (Dirigo tartan)
• Sporran
• Breast Badge (if not department issued)
• Black Polo Shirt (Junior Band Corps only)

The following is a list of personal items required to be purchased by each Corps member (going through the Corps Quartermaster). The approximate cost for these items (not including optional items) is about $300.00:

• Hose
• Spats
• Glengarry with hackle and cap badge
• Belt with buckle
• Uniform shirt
• Wool sweater
• Corps T-shirts
• Sgian Dubh (optional)
• Doublet (optional, but highly recommended)
• Kilt pin (optional)
• Pipers dirk (optional)

Each member of the Corps is responsible for the purchase of their own instrument, whether it is bagpipes or drums. To maintain consistency, the following guidelines will be adhered to:

• Bagpipe bags will be black with white trim and tassels will be red.
• Drums shall be black with black hardware. Premier HTS recommended.