The band welcomes Redhook Ale Brewery as a new sponsor.  Many thanks to Redhook and Regional Sales Manager, Hans Lofgren, for your ongoing support.

JEREMY JYLKA

Minnesota Police Pipe Band was honored to be part of the final tribute to Pine City fallen firefighter Jeremy Jylka.  Our sincere sympathy goes out to the Jylka family.  Thank you to the Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Association for their part in the planning of the ceremony.

TOWER OF TENORS

Thanks to generous funding from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the Irish Fair of Minnesota Legacy Fund, the band is able to replace its worn and deteriorating drums.  Six new tenor drums have arrived. Thank you MRAC and Irish Fair

3M VOLUNTEER MATCH

The 3M Foundation has donated $400 to Minnesota Police Pipe Band in recoginition of the volunteer efforts of Joan Noyola and Dan Golden. 

Grade 3 tenor drummer, Joan Noyola, has donated over 100 volunteer hours as a performer and in administrative work.  Chanter student, Dan Golden, has given over 30 hours helping coordinate student teaching material.

As part of the 3M volnteer Match, the 3M Foundation will donate $200 to eligible non-profit organizations for which a 3M employee and retiree voluneers 25 hours or more per calendar year.  For more information on this program, please contact 3M Community Affairs at 651-733-0144.

URBAN EXPEDITION

Piper Jerry Brennan represented MPPB at the April 13th Urban Expedition Passport to Adventure at Landmark Center in St. Paul. 

The day featured a variey of entertainment from the British Isles including the Great Highland bagpipe, highland dancing, songs and games from Great Britain and Morris dancing.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2008

The rain and snow and cold did not bother MPPB's St. Patrick's Day actvities in the least.  On 3/15, the band played in New London WI St. Patrick's Day parade. Billed as Wisconsin's largest St. Patrick's Day celebration the town changes its name to New Dublin for the annual event.

Another contingent of MPPB performers played in the St. Paul Parade as part of the Emerald Society unit and performed at various St. Paul locations including Summit Brewing and O'Gara's.

On Monday, 3/17, MPPB continued celebrating the Green with 15 performances around the metro area ending with a 10:00 p.m.concert at First Avenue. 

CAPITAL GRANT AWARDED

Minnesota Police Pipe Band has been awarded a $6,000 capital grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.   The award will be used to replace the band's drums.  Thank you MRAC for your much needed support!

The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) serves audiences in Minnesota's seven-county metropolitan region through grants, services, and technical assistance to the arts communities of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties

MARK WIEGEL HONORED

Mark Wiegel, outgoing Emerald Society President accepted an MPPB bass drum head from Band Manager, Sally Gordon, thanking him for his work with MPPB. The head was part of the drum used at National Police Week in 2006.

"A band could not have a better sponsor than the Emerald Society or a better advocate than Mark Wiegel," said Sally during the presentation.  After two terms as president, Mark will continue his work with the Emerald Society and MPPB as pipe band liaison.

WINTER STORM MEDAL WINNERS

Members of the MPPB drums corps brought home medals from the 2008 MHAF Winter Storm competition in Kansas City, Missouri.

Audrey Stumpf won the gold medal in the amateur bass drum competition.  Ana Noyola took second place in the novice tenor division and Sally Gordon was second in the novice bass section.

Special recognition goes to Owen Sehon, band tenor drum instructor, for his outstanding performance and second place in the Gold Medal Professional Tenor Class.  Watch Owen's superb march, strathspey and reel performance on this You Tube video.

In its 7th year, the internationally recognized competition is sponsored by the Midwest Highland Arts Fund which promotes the Scottish Highland performaning arts.

PIPES AND DRUMS HOLIDAY TOUR

Band sponsor Summit Brewing Company hosted MPPB as part of the festivities during the last tour of the brewery for 2007.  Many thanks to Summit for being a strong and stedfast sponsor!

WCCO Video

Click on image for more photos

EMERALD SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA

Pipe Major Chuck Timmers accepts a donation from Emerald Society President Mark Wiegel at the November 17, 2007 Emerald Society Charity Gala.

A hearty thanks to the Emerald Society for their generous contribution to the band's operating budget.

The band has partnered with the Emerald Society since 1994 to serve the law enforcement community around the state.

OFFICER MARK BEDARD

Heartfelt condolences are offered to the family of Minneapolis Park Police Officer Mark Bedard.  Minnesota Police Pipe Band was privileged to be part of the November 14th ceremonies honoring the fallen Minneapolis Park Police Officer.

Our sincere thanks go to our partners the Emerald Society of Minnesota and the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association for all their work organizing our portion of the ceremony.

Thank you also goes to
OLSON Advertising, Bruegger’s Station 27 and Jakeeno's Pizza and Pasta for their much appreciated logistic support.

photos by M. Peters

IRISH FAIR LEGACY FUND

MPPB extends grateful thanks to the 2007 Irish Fair Legacy Fund for a $1,000 grant earmarked for our 2009 trip to the World Pipe Band Championships. Thank you, Irish Fair!