Information Packet for Potential Sponsors

Prince Charles Pipe Band Mission Statement

To maintain focus and direction for the Band, our mission statement serves as our compass:

To provide an environment where young men and women can develop musical ability and individual character, and to be an active member of the local community, and pipe band movement worldwide.

History of the Prince Charles Pipe Band

In 1967 J.W. Merriman, Jack Sutherland and Jerry Golanty - all members of the City of San Francisco (Caledonian) Pipe Band - realized that there was no organization to train young pipers and drummers in the Bay Area. In 1968 the band was founded by them and became officially a non-profit educational corporation. Bill Merriman served as piping instructor and Jack Sutherland and Jerry Golanty as drumming instructors. Jack also served as band manager. Several years later Trevor Atkinson, another "Callie" band member, became the drumming instructor.

The band, which began with a small number of students, to date has trained approximately 500 pipers and drummers. Today there are very few bands anywhere in California that do not have a former band member in their ranks. When the Prince Charles band was founded the principles of the band included quality instruction, dedication, and discipline and these have not changed. As pipers and drummers grow in experience and maturity they are expected to pass on their learning to others.

The Prince Charles Pipe Band has actually been many bands over the years-from Grade I to Grade IV and Juvenile, Junior and at one time a Ladies Band. Besides entertaining for thousands of events, the bands have competed in the United States, Canada and in Scotland for 37 years.

Beginning in 1968 with a handful of pipers and drummers, the band had increased to 72 members in 1973 and traveled to Scotland to compete in international competition for the first time. The band was awarded the Marching and Deportment Trophy at the World Championships at Shotts. It was the first time a mixed band (boys and girls) had ever competed in Scotland. In 1978, the band again competed in Scotland. They received a fourth place at the World Championships, and first place at the largest games in the world - the Cowal Championships. In 1991 at the World Pipe Band Championships they won second place (first in drumming) and again received 1st place at the Cowal Championships. In 1997, a junior band competed at the World Championships, receiving third place, third place at Cowal and first at Crieff. In 1998, the band, now playing as a Grade III Band, took fifth place in the World Championships and first at Crieff. At the 1999 World’s Championships, playing as a Grade II Band, Prince Charles took sixth place. In year 2000 the Prince Charles Grade II Pipe Band returned to Scotland and won the 2000 Grade Two World Championship. In 2003 the Prince Charles Pipe Band sent it's Grade 3 Band to Scotland were it took the Grade 3B World Championship. At the same time the Prince Charles Grade One Band competed at the Pipe Band World Championships for the first time in the band's history.

The Prince Charles Pipe Band has proven over the years that it ranks with the best pipe bands in the world, and does not intend to rest on its laurels, pursuing pipe band excellence whenever and wherever possible.

The Band and the Community

The Prince Charles Pipe Band maintains close ties with the local community. The Band is a regular participant in community events such as:

British Car Show – Monterey
British Car Show – Jack London Square
Burns Night (Campbell, South San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland)
City of Campbell Highland Games (estimated audience of 5,000)
City of Campbell Citizen of the Year Award
City of Campbell Golf Day
Costa Mesa Highland Games (estimated audience of 30,000)
Danville Independence Day Parade
Dunsmuir House Highland Games
Irish Festival (Benicia)
John Muir Day (Martinez)
Larkspur/Corte Madera Independence Day Parade
Los Gatos Christmas Parade
Monterey, Marin and Los Gatos Celtic Concerts (estimated audience of 2,000)
Monterey Highland Games (estimated audience of 20,000)
Monterey Concert (estimated audience of 2,000)
Morgan Hill Independence Day Parade
Pleasanton Highland Games (estimated audience of 60,000)
Portuguese Holy Ghost Parade (Sausalito)
Portland Highland Games (estimated audience of 15,000)
San Carlos Hometown Parade
San Francisco Caledonian Club (various events)
San Jose Clash home game
Tartan Day – Downtown San Jose
Tartan Day – Fremont

The Band has also provided its services to Silicon Valley companies such as AMD and the Inn at Spanish Bay, and been involved in concerts with well-known celebrities, such as Rod Stewart. The Band and individual Band members have also contributed to films such as “State of Grace”, starring Sean Penn, and Mike Myers’ “So I Married An Axe Murderer”

Band Photos

Just after playing at the “Biggest Games in the World,” in Pleasanton, CA.

The Prince Charles Band in Monterey, CA, playing into one of the many victorious contests of the year.

Uniform Expense

This is the estimated cost of outfitting a playing member of the band. Sponsor can personalize items with asterisk.

Uniform Item	Cost ($)
Kilt	400.00
Jacket	300.00
Sporran	175.00
Belt	60.00
Shirt*	30.00
Tie*	20.00
Vest	40.00
Glengarry with Hat Badge*	60.00
Total	1085.00

Equipment Expense

Typical equipment expenses covered by the Band are as follows. Sponsor can personalize items with asterisk.

Equipment Item	Cost ($)
Bagpipes
Sinclair Pipe Chanter	300.00
Bag Cover*	40.00
Drone Cords	40.00
Reeds	100.00
Pipes Sub-Total (per player)	480.00
Pipes Sub-Total (16 pipers)	7680.00
Drums
Premier Side Drum (9 total)*	4635.00
Premier Tenor Drum (3 total)*	945.00
Premier Bass Drum (1 total)*	450.00
Drums Sub-Total	6030.00
Band Total	13710.00

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