Annual firefighter symposium breaks records

Firefighters from across the country attended Lewisville's annual pipes, drums and honor guard symposium -- making this year's event the largest event ever.

The Lewisville Fire Department held the fifth annual Keeping Tradition Alive Firefighter Pipes, Drum & Honor Guard Symposium Thursday and Friday at the Lewisville Convention Center. Firefighters attended the conference to learn more about the art of bagpipes, drums and the honor guard.

"I was excited to see the number of people who came out to see the event," said Fire Chief Tim Tittle. "The weather was great, and I think helped draw people to the event. I was very excited to hear that this was the largest event. We want to continue to grow the event every year."

On Thursday, hundreds of people descended on the steps of Lewisville City Hall for a free jam session featuring the bagpipes and drums bands from area fire departments. The pipers and drummers performed a series of drills and songs. They performed traditional Scottish music as well as "Amazing Grace," which began with a solo performance from a bagpiper before the entire group joined the performance that finished with the Cajun-beat "Amazing Grace."

"The performances are all about showing camaraderie, and firefighters showcasing their talents," Tittle said. "I love hearing both versions of 'Amazing Grace.' I like that you get the old style and the upbeat version."

The event also featured several pieces of antique fire equipment on display.

This year, more than 315 drummers, bagpipers and honor guard members attended the symposium -- more than any other year. The two-day symposium pooled instructors from all over the country including pipe major Don Shannon and drum major Stephen Cameron. Shannon is a native of Northern Ireland and has appeared at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association World Championships. Cameron, also a native of Northern Ireland, began drumming at the age of 7. He has won the Ulster and All-Ireland solo drumming titles and quickly established himself firmly at the top of the North American solo drumming list.

"Our first year we had 190 members registered for the symposium, and it's grown every year," Tittle said. "It's grown a lot by word of mouth. We're proud at how fast this event is growing. It's a great opportunity to come out and get good instruction at a reasonable price."

LFD also hosted two special guests, Jim Kilpatrick and Ty Fry. Scotland native Kilpatrick began playing drums at the age of 10. When he was 15 he won his first World Drum Corps and World Pipe Band Championships -- the first of his record 18 World Drum Corps Championships. Fry began tenor drumming at the age of 11. He played with Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band under the tutelage of Craig "Hoss" Colquhoun before joining Milton Optimist Pipe Band as a snare drummer.

Lewisville's pipes and drums band was established in 2005. The group includes pipers Gary Apple, Todd Carruthers, Conrado Martinez and Justin Apple. Bass drum is Dustin Bortzfield. Snare drums are Chris Lawler, Scott Thompson and Brandon Thetford and tenor drummers are Mark Murphree and Jeremy Jones. The pipe major is Damion Roberts. All members are full time employees of the Lewisville Fire Department. The pipers began by taking lessons from Shannon. The drummers all have a drumming background.

The pipes and drums bands are a long-standing tradition in the fire service. The tradition of bagpipes in the fire department goes back more than 150 years. Pipers played at firefighter funerals because firefighters and police officers were the only jobs the Irish could get in the United States. Soon families and friends of non-Irish firefighters began requesting pipers to play for these fallen heroes.

In addition to the pipe and drums instruction, the National Honor Guard Academy held its weeklong academy. Honor guard members worked with the NHGA staff on march and drill movements. The NHGA teaches honor guards how to preserve traditions within the emergency services community.

Keeping Tradition Alive is held the second Thursday of May every year.

For information visit http://lfdpipesanddrums.com.

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