PIPE MAJOR DAVE TAYLOR
1941-2006
David E. Taylor, the Pipe Major of the Broome County Celtic Pipe and Drums (BCCP&D), died in a Scranton hospital on February 13th, 2006 after a prolonged stay. To his family, Dave was a loving husband to Phyllis, father of four and grandfather of five. To us, Dave was the “heart and soul” of our bagpipe band. Dave was our band’s pipe major.
While the drum major, dressed in the tall feather bonnet and carrying the silver-topped mace, struts his stuff when leading the band at parades, it is the pipe major who is in charge behind the scenes. It isthe pipe major who chooses the band’s music, conducts practices and maintains the band’s high standards. Out of sight on parade day, the pipe major can be found endlessly tuning each player’s chanter and drones so that all sound alike. It can be a thankless job.
Under Dave Taylor’s leadership, Broome County’s original bagpipe band proudly marched in parades in New York City, Syracuse, Scranton, Philadelphia and Wildwood and lots of small towns (and pubs) in between. The BCCP&D took second place in its classification at the 2004 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade-something that we attribute to Dave’s hard work with the band. All told, the band under Dave’s stewardship has played Scottish, Irish and American music before hundreds of thousands of cheering people at parades.
Dave learned to play the bagpipes in 1976. He played in a number of bands in New York before joining the BCCP&D. He joined our band in 1988 and became the pipe major that year.
As the pipe major, Dave made our band more professional. He demanded control over an ancient and fickle instrument. Unwanted chanter and drones noises were silenced so that we had “clean” starts and stops. Bagpipe songs, called “tunes”, were practiced over and over to so that muscle memory kicked in. Tunes were played at practice without sheet music so that we learned faster and without a crutch. From all appearances, Dave was as tough as a drill sergeant from his Army days.
Dave’s tough exterior did not fool his friends. You just had to know him. Whenever Dave barked, he never meant it. He would always apologize later, out of ear shot of others. Dave, “papa”, proudly showed off family, especially his infant granddaughter, at bagpipe events.
Dave was absolutely committed to the pipes and our band. Dave rarely missed a band practice or a job. Sometimes he arrived home late for his wife’s birthday (much to Phyllis’ chagrin) just so he could be with us and playing his beloved pipes. Dave would volunteer to play for any event, whether or not the band was going to be paid. He played at weddings, funerals and other special occasions. If needed to play at a firefighter’s funeral, no one had to ask Dave if he could make it. Dave Taylor would do anything for anyone.
It is believed that Dave Taylor’s last parade was the 2005 Binghamton Veteran’s Day Parade on November 11th. After the parade ended, Dave, a proud Army veteran, led the band in playing the Marine Corps Hymn for two former Marines from World War II and Korean War who were there to belatedly receive war decorations for past service. You should have seen the tears in the eyes of these grizzled warriors.
Although Pipe Major Dave Taylor’s pipes will play no more, we privileged few of the Broome County Celtic Pipes and Drums will remember a tough man with a big heart who spent the better part of his adult life selflessly helping others celebrate life, heritage and family through the gift of pipe music. We are better people and a band because of him. – PAUL SWEENEY
