Marching on

The Albeni Falls Pipes, Drums & Dancers are celebrating their 10th anniversary of bringing Celtic music and culture to the communities of North Idaho.

The band was founded in 2000, by Bill Prater and Brett Malone, two employees of the Albeni Falls Dam.

With the exception of Scottish drummer Ed Gould, the band began with only six people that had little or no experience playing bagpipes, nor drumming.

However, these six individuals shared nothing more than the love of Scottish and Irish music. In 2006 the band added Highland/Irish Dancers to their performances, under the leadership and instruction of Laurie Gawel.

In these 10 short years, the band has grown from the original six members to presently more than 60 members.

"Not in my wildest dreams would I have seen 60 members in our band in just 10 years," Bill Prater said.

The band has unintentionally developed the reputation of being a "fun family band" in which all skill levels of pipers, drummers and dancers are able to participate in performing for many communities.

Even though the band is based in Sandpoint, they bring Celtic music and traditions to many communities throughout Idaho, Washington, Montana and Canada as well.

Band members live not only in Sandpoint, but are from areas as far away as Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Clark Fork, Priest River, and communities in Washington and Montana.

Those of all ages are welcome to the Albeni Falls Pipe Band of North Idaho. Any additional information about the band may be obtained by calling the Band Manager, Ted Lane, at (208) 263-1578 or 290-3146 or www.albenifalls.org.