Colorado Skye at Vegas Highland Games in 2007

History
"The Future´s So Bright, We Gotta Wear Shades...."

Colorado Skye started out in 1999 as a small collection of pipers and drummers who found themselves between bands. Bound by their interest in Scottish Highland music, the band sought sponsorship from the Colorado Springs Firefighters, who graciously provided funding for the establishment of the group as a uniformed Highland pipes and drums band. Bill Mills, a Captain in the Colorado Springs Fire Department and the first Bass Drummer for the band was, and continues to be, instrumental in the success of Colorado Skye. Colorado Skye Pipes and Drums became a registered non-profit organization with the State of Colorado in February 2000 and is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation. Brian Collins was the band’s first Pipe Major, and the band started with a nucleus of 5 players.

In August of 2000 Brian turned over leadership of the band to Andy Trimble, who joined the band full time after providing private instruction to all of the band's top players. The drum corps was lead by Jocelyn Whitworth from 2000 through our debut competition year in 2001. In the first competition ever the band finished 2nd and 4th out of 8 bands winning piping both times. The second contest the band finished 1st and 2nd out of 11 bands and was named the Mountain States Champion for 2001. The band grew in size to around 15 people.

Colorado Skye 2001 at their first competition ever, Highlands Ranch. A 2nd and a 4th the first time out.

Skye at the 2002 Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial
Colorado Skye at the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial in 2002.
In 2002, the band attracted even more players and continued the drive to improve. Drew McPheeters took over as lead drummer in January 2002. This was the band's first full competition season, and the band had five 1st place finishes, one 2nd place, and one 3rd place out of 8 contests. The season highlight was a trip to San Diego, where the band finished first in both contests, and was awarded a sweep of piping, ensemble, and drumming against very strong competition. The season concluded at Pleasanton where the band placed 3rd out of 21 bands in the Quick March competition. Despite competing in almost half as many contests as the other top bands, the band finished in fourth place of the 40 or so Grade 4 bands in the Western United States Pipe Band Association. The band received many good comments from well-respected judges from around the world. The band now has about 25 active members.

For 2003, we set our sights as high as our budget allowed, and decided challenge ourselves by competing outside of WUSPBA.. We added a couple more players, and dedicated ourselves to reaching the next level. The biggest event of the year was a trip to Canada to compete at the North American Pipe Band Championship in Maxville, Ontario. Despite the fact that only one member of our band had ever been there before, we placed 2nd in the Grade 4 championship. The next day we competed once more against most of the same bands, and took 1st out of 21 bands at the Montreal Highland Games. We finished the season by winning the 2003 WUSPBA Grade 4 championship. It was a tough contest, because we went out with only 6 pipers against a very good Monterey Pipe Band. In all, the band finished the year undefeated in WUSPBA, and reached the next level. The band was promoted to Grade 3 by the Western United States Pipe Band Association.

Colorado Skye with the 2003 Montreal Highland Games Grade 4 1st Place Trophy.

Skye at the 2004 San Diego Highland Games

For 2004, the band was promoted to Grade 3. This after only 2½ years as a competition band. We continued to grow and improve. Skye took 1st place in their first 5 contests including a two-day sweep in San Diego (except for a 2nd place in Ensemble in one contest), against the majority of the WUSPBA bands. The band returned to Canada to compete in the North American Pipe Band Championships, where we took a very respectable 5th place in our first year in the new grade, and a 2nd place the following day in Montreal against many of the same bands.

In total, the band had six 1st places, two 2nd places, and the one 5th place.

In 2005, the returned to the North American Pipe Band Championships and continued to solidify our place in Grade 3 in both the Western US and Canada. During 2005, the band competed 6 different highland games - earning 1st places in 4 contests.

Colorado Skye in 2006.

2006 saw the addition of several new drummers under Lead Tip Darren Marshall.  The band stayed close to home during the year as we integrated a new drum corps.

In 2007, we transitioned the leadership of the band with Andy Trimble and Jamie Cuthill switching places as Pipe Major and Pipe Sergeant. Scheduling priorities limited the band's presence in WUSPBA contests during both 2007 and 2008 as the band's leadership worked hard to assist the Colorado Youth Pipe Band in their efforts.

With 2009 just around the corner, the band is under the leadership of Pipe Major Ryan Balchuck, and Lead Drummer Darren Marshall.  The band wears the Flower of Scotland Tartan.

Join us in building a force to be reckoned with.

Pipe and Drum Performances
Colorado Skye and its members are available to perform at weddings, conferences, memorials and other gatherings. The band can arrange performances of varying sizes and durations including: solo pipers, duets, trios, mini-bands, or the full band for a real show.

Colorado Skye has experience performing as entertainment for audiences small and large; formal and informal; serious and fun.  We can arrange to have Scottish highland dancers perform in conjunction with the band for an extra bit of entertainment.

The band has produced one CD entitled "The Skye's the Limit" available through the band web site (okay, eventually, not just yet) and from band members.

Funding
The band is a financially self supporting 501(c)3 registered not-for-profit organization.  The band is primarily funded through donations, performance fees, and member contributions.

If you have an interest in helping the band further their programs and opportunities, please contact us for further information and discussion.

Education
Colorado Skye teaches piping and drumming in the Denver Metro community.  The band promotes instruction and continuing musical education as a way to keep Celtic musical traditions alive and vibrant.

Competition
Colorado Skye is a successful competitive band at Scottish highland games throughout the North America. The band placed 2nd in the North American Pipe Band Championships, and is the 2003 Western US Pipe Band Association Champion.  For 2004 the band was upgraded to grade 3, placing the band in the top 15% of pipe bands.

The band has some of the most accomplished solo competitors in the Western US and counts as members most of the top players in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region.

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