Pipe Sergeant
Encyclopedia
The Pipe Sergeant, commonly abbreviated as "P/Sgt", is the number two person in charge of the pipers in a Scottish pipe band
or pipes and drums. In terms of seniority, the Pipe Sergeant is secondary only to the Pipe Major
, who is the director of bagpipe music in a pipe band. A Pipe Sergeant shares much of the Pipe Major's responsibilities in tune selection, compilation and arrangement. He or she is responsible for tuning up the band before a performance.
The Pipe Sergeant position can be found in many civilian, para-military as well as military pipe bands around the world. In the British Army, the Pipe Sergeant position is an appointment and not a military rank
. The position is normally given to a highly-capable piper who holds the rank of Sergeant
or Colour Sergeant
. In order to be considered for the Pipe Sergeant appointment in a British Army regiment, a candidate is normally expected to have obtained the Pipe Major's Certificate at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming
. Once appointed, it is usually only a matter of time before the Pipe Sergeant is appointed Pipe Major of the Regiment.
Pipe band
A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. The term used by military pipe bands, pipes and drums, is also common....
or pipes and drums. In terms of seniority, the Pipe Sergeant is secondary only to the Pipe Major
Pipe Major
The Pipe Major is the director of bagpipe music in a Scottish or Irish pipe band. Like Drum Major, the position of Pipe Major is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term Sergeant Piper was used for the role in place of "Pipe Major".Civillian and military...
, who is the director of bagpipe music in a pipe band. A Pipe Sergeant shares much of the Pipe Major's responsibilities in tune selection, compilation and arrangement. He or she is responsible for tuning up the band before a performance.
The Pipe Sergeant position can be found in many civilian, para-military as well as military pipe bands around the world. In the British Army, the Pipe Sergeant position is an appointment and not a military rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
. The position is normally given to a highly-capable piper who holds the rank of Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
or Colour Sergeant
Colour Sergeant
Colour sergeant or colour serjeant is a non-commissioned title in the Royal Marines and infantry regiments of the British Army, ranking above sergeant and below warrant officer class 2....
. In order to be considered for the Pipe Sergeant appointment in a British Army regiment, a candidate is normally expected to have obtained the Pipe Major's Certificate at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming
Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming
The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming is a British Army training establishment that provides instructions of Scottish bagpipe music to military pipers, drummers and pipe bands.-History:...
. Once appointed, it is usually only a matter of time before the Pipe Sergeant is appointed Pipe Major of the Regiment.