Recruiting Call
So, you wanna join the band?

1. Membership.  The band is primarily a police service band, meaning
that it membership is made up of law enforcement personnel, active
or retired.  Non-sworn employees of law enforcement agencies are
also eligible.  Also welcome are members of the military, active or
retired.  Some rare exceptions are made on a case by case basis.  
All members of the band must consent to a background check.  

2. Cost.  There is no dues to join the band, but piping is not cheap.  
Members  buy their own uniforms.  Pipers must purchase their own
pipes, book, and practice chanter.  Drummers must purchase sticks
and a practice pad.  A basic uniform set will cost $600-$800.  A set of
pipes will generally run $1000 -$1500 depending on personal
preference.  (The band's leadership will provide guidance regarding
purchases).  To get started, a new piper must purchase a practice
chanter and book (again, the band leadership will provide guidance).  
Depending on choices these will cost about $100-$150.  Pipes and
uniforms are generally not ordered until one has spent at lest six
months on the practice chanter.  The bottom line is by the time a piper
steps out for his first performance with the band, he or she has spent
anywhere from $2000 to $2500 to get up and rolling.   

3.  Time Commitment.  There is a direct relationship between amount
of time put into practicing and the quality of one's piping, as well as
the time it takes to get up on the pipes.  Less time put in daily on a
consistent basis is better than a great deal of time on a less frequent
basis.  Ideally, if one can put in 20-30 minutes a day, things will
progress nicely.

4.  Time to get up on the pipes.  "How long until I can play the pipes in
public?"  Of course, that is the question all new joins ask.  The answer
is, "it depends".  It depends on how consistent the student's practice
habits are, as well as things like musical background and talent.  We
have had members of the band be able to play simple tunes on the
pipes in less than six months, others have take over a year.  It
depends mostly on you and the consistent effort you put into it.

So, if you are still interested, and want to know more come to one of
our Tuesday night practices at the DC FOP lodge 1, 711 4th Street
NW, Washington, DC.  Practice starts at 8:00 PM, with members
starting to show up around 7:30.  Hang out, ask questions, and see if
its the kind of thing you'd like to commit to.   You may also contact
Pipe Major Chris Jackson on the "Contact Us" page.