The Madison Pipes and Drums was originally founded in 1997 as a registered student organization of the University of Wisconsin-Madison under the name of "The Badger Pipes and Drums". Three pipers (Ewan MacPherson, Bill McInnes, and Richard Worthington) were playing unofficially with the Zor Shrine Pipe Band in Madison until the addition of a few more pipers and Bill's son Rob joining as a drummer. It was then the Badger Pipes and Drums were formed with Ewan serving as Pipe Major. The first official performance by the Badger Pipes and Drums was at the Mazomanie Wild West Days parade in September, 1997. You could tell it was official because they all had matching neckties.
Over the next year, the Badger Pipes and Drums began playing in area parades and at other community events, adding slowly to their uniforms and to their repertoire. Ewan graduated from his PhD program at the University and moved to Michigan in late summer of 1998. Richard took over as Pipe Major, but unfortunately developed medical problems and was forced to retire from piping shortly after. Graduations continued to take away as many members of the band as were added, the band was now becoming less involved with the University and by March 1999, Bill McInnes had taken over as Pipe Major. The band continued in that vein, playing local parades and community events, and competing for the first time in the quartet competition at the winter Chicago Highland Games in March 2002.
In the spring of 2002 Jim Harrington, in recognition of his experience was appointed as Pipe Major. The band officially cut its ties to the University and changed its name to the Madison Pipes and Drums in August 2002. Jim took the band to their first Grade V band competition at the summer 2003 Illinois Highland Games and then to their first win at the Grade V level at the Wisconsin Highland Games in August 2003. Also during 2003, Alastair Wark found the group and brought great experience as a highland snare player to the group, actively recruiting and teaching drumming students. Alastair "unfortunately" finished his PhD at the University during the summer of 2004 and moved to California. Todd White had joined the band along the way and stepped up to take over as Lead Drummer during the fall of 2004, continuing to teach new students and to lead the drum line.In early 2005, Adam Borger, former Pipe Sergeant of Clan Donald Pipes and Drums, took over as Pipe Major and continues to lead the band. Ethan Kister joined Madison Pipes and Drums in 2006 and is now the Lead Drummer. The band continues its commitment to playing local performances, competition at various Highland Games, and to teaching new members. We would love to add you to this history if you are interested in joining!