Students breathe life back into Weston-McEwen High School tradition
The applause was thunderous as the Weston-McEwen High School pipes and drums band left the gymnasium floor after their performance Friday night, Feb. 3. The three-song set marked a return to performing after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director Rob McIntyre had reassembled the band.
Thirty-two players, including McIntyre on bagpipes, lined the school’s hallway as the final minute of the first half of the TigerScots boys’ game ticked down. Several non-band students in the gym kept them posted with shouts of "35 seconds" and the like.
McIntyre gave the students a final few words of encouragement and instruction, and when the clock hit double zeros, the court was cleared. Then, with the drummers in the lead striking up a strong cadence, the band made their way to center court.
The first number was a dance tune featuring six members of the band doing a Scottish dance. Next, a performance of the traditional hymn "Amazing Grace".
The finale was "Scotland the Brave," and as the band turned to play their way out of the gym, the large crowd stood cheering and applauding.
Pipes and drums band director Rob McIntyre talks with his musicians before their performance Friday night, Feb. 3, at Weston-McEwen High School.
About 30 members of the pipes and drums band stand at center court of the Weston-McEwen High School gymnasium and perform a halftime show during the boys' varsity basketball game with Irrigon High School on Friday, Feb. 3.
Basketball player Cameron Reich joins the band to play a lead part of the song "Amazing Grace" in the Weston-McEwen High School gymnasium on Feb. 3.
As the crowd offers a standing ovation, the pipes and drums band exits the Weston-McEwen High School gymnasium to the song "Scotland the Brave" after their performance.
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