Waynesburg University’s Kiltie Band is Looking for New Members

The James D. Randolph Kiltie Band has brought the sound of pipe and drum to campus and community events for a decade. Now, they are looking for new members to carry on the tradition. 

Founded in early 2015, the organization was named in honor of the late James D. Randolph, a former student and l a music instructor at Waynesburg University. “Fuzzy,” as Randolph was called, did not just play bagpipes for graduation and matriculation, but also surprised students by playing on random occasions during the school year. “There were a lot of people who wanted to honor Fuzzy,” Professor of Art and a current member of the kiltie band, Andrew Heisey, said. Although Randolph passed away in 2016, the Scottish band has remained an iconic sight at campus events and throughout Waynesburg. 

This semester, the kiltie band has experienced unusually low membership. However, Jeremy Olisar, music instructor and the director of the James D. Randolph Kiltie Band, said that efforts are being made to recruit students. 

“Some years we have 10 or 12 members, and other years, like right now, the group is small,” Olisar said. “When you have students involved, you’re only going to see them for, at most, four years, so we are looking to recruit.” The band is even hoping for faculty, staff and Waynesburg community members to join. “We’re looking to spread the passion for music-making and the Scottish tradition, so we’ve continued to open up doors to community members,” Olisar said.

Due to a donation given when the organization was established, beginner-level members of the kiltie band do not have to worry about the cost of instruments or other equipment until they become more advanced. Percussion instructor and assistant director of the kiltie band, Camilo Jauregui said, “You don’t have to spend any money to begin. We have uniforms and we provide instruments. It’s going to be free as much as we can.” 

When joining the kiltie band, members have the choice to focus their studies on either bagpipes or drums. Those who choose bagpipes begin learning melodies on a practice chanter, a small recorder-like instrument that mimics part of the bagpipes. Once they have learned some songs, members can advance to a set of bagpipes. 

Matthias Gornicz, a freshman Biblical and Ministry Studies major, has recently joined the kiltie band in response to promotion flyers placed in the Benedum Dining Hall. He had the opportunity to test out both the practice chanter and the drums during his first lesson. “I like the bagpipes and how cool they sound,” Gornicz said. “I’d love to stick with this as long as I can, and I’d definitely encourage people to try it out. There’s really no harm in trying.”

The James D. Randolph Kiltie Band meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Marsh Center, and members of all skill levels are welcome. “A lot of times, people are afraid to do it because they don’t want to stand out,” Heisey said. “One thing I’ve learned throughout my life is that I don’t want to blend in with everybody else. It’s something unique, it’s a fun experience and we have a great time learning together.”