Play-outs have grown from three or four a year in the 1980s to an average now of one performance a month, with the band supporting local occasions including Anzac Day, the Celtic Festival and Land of the Beardies Festival, as well as participating in festivals in Armidale, Inverell, Grafton and Moree and the Maclean Highland Gathering at Easter.

As the membership is primarily family-oriented, there are occasions when band members can’t participate and publicity officer Todd Lipman said the band would like to have a strong membership to draw upon.

“We can’t have too many,” he said.

“And the more people, the better the sound.”

The band offers an economic opportunity for anyone wishing to get into music. Tuition is free and instruments are provided. Prospective members need only provide a white shirt and black shoes, with the remainder of the uniform supplied.

Age is no barrier, with the youngest playing member aged 12 and several band members into their 70s. Physical fitness is also no obstacle, with Mr Lipman explaining that playing the pipes does not require extraordinary lung capacity, as one might think, although the player will in time develop what’s called a ‘piping muscle’. There’s also room for more drummers.

Mr Lipman said the band welcomes those just interested in watching a practice session or trying out some tuition, with around one in eight prospects continuing on to take up a position in the band. There’s no pre-commitment, so anyone interested is encouraged to try it out.

Most members go on to purchase their own instruments, which in the case of the pipes can cost from $1,300 to $30,000.

The band has a long and proud history, formed in 1909 and pausing only for world wars and the occasion drop-off in membership.

Mr Lipman, who travels from Inverell for the weekly practices and to attend playing engagements, said it took him around a year and a half to become proficient on the pipes, although younger recruits like Ziggy Brady put him to shame with the speed in which they soak up the tuition.

“People often come to piping reasonably late, but young people pick it up more easily,” Mr Lipman said.

“It does require some diligence and maybe 15-20 minutes of practice each day.”

Anyone interested in joining the band can simply turn up to the weekly practice at the Glen Innes High School (enter via Oxford St) each Thursday from 6.30pm, or email band secretary Russell Scott at secretary@gleninnespipeband.com.a u for more information.