Pipe Band Dominates in Savannah

The VMI Pipe Band competed at the Savannah Scottish Games and Celtic Festival in Savannah, Georgia, May 2–4, 2025.

According to Maj. Brian Donaldson, Pipe Band director, four other pipe bands competed against VMI at the festival: The City of Mount Dora Pipes and Drums, from Mount Dora, Florida; Savannah Pipes and Drums, from Savannah, Georgia; and two groups from the Charleston Pipe Band from Charleston, South Carolina.

VMI placed second. In addition, there were individual competitions in which VMI dominated. They included Cadet William Bolay ’26 winning first place for grade 5 march A competition. For grade 5 march B competition, Cadet Alden Rhodes ’26 received first place; Cadet Caleb Swanson ’27, second place; Cadet Ben Bowen ’26, fourth place; and Cadet Byron Rivey ’26, fifth place. For grade 5 snare drumming competition, Cadet Connor Wolfe ’26 placed first; Cadet Harrison Sloane ’27, second place; Cadet Serenity Fraser ’28, third place; and Cadet Thomas Sasso ’27, fifth place. For the tenor drumming competition, Cadet Christina Britton ’28 received second place and Cadet Keye Warren ’28, fourth place. In the bass drumming competition, Cadet Kira Brenaman ’26 earned first place, and Cadet Andrei Antonio ’28 received second place.

Donaldson was pleased with the band’s performance. “The pipers and drummers worked very hard to achieve the results they came away with. It is an example of the abundance of talent we have in the pipes and drums and Band Company,” he said.

Rhodes, who has been playing bagpipes for 3 years, stated that because Donaldson is a world-class bagpiper, his standards are high.

“As a result, our skill level as novice bagpipers is significantly higher compared to other novice players. This was seen in the competition where all of the first-place positions at our grade were won by members of our band. I have put in many long hours practicing on the instrument under the guidance of Major Donaldson, and his expertise in instruction guided me to victory.”