Brian Brendel, (commonly referred to as “Odie” since my second day in the fire station in 1983: little dog in Garfield, always in trouble…) I’m proud to presently be Drum Major and band President.
How long have you been in the band?
25 years. I’m an original member, played bass in our first parade in 1984, spent the next 19 years on bass.
What year did the Emerald Society Form?
The Fairfax County Firefighters’ Emerald Society formed in 1982.It is actually separate organization from the band.
What year did the pipe band form?
We practiced in 1983, and hit the street in the Alexandria, Virginia, St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March of 1984, and just celebrated our Silver Anniversary in that parade this March.
What was the reason for forming the pipe band?
Our stated missions are to use the stirring sounds of the pipes and drums to draw attention to the good works of the fire and rescue service, and to honor our fallen.
How is the management of the band setup?
We have a 5 person Board of Directors that is elected by the membership, with the officers of the corporation elected by that Board: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, which leaves one at-large member. Band members elect Pipe Major and Drum Major from the membership and those persons are responsible for appointing the necessary Pipe Sergeants (we have 2) and Drum Sergeants (we have 3).The president appoints other necessary positions with consent of the BOD, such as Quartermaster.We also have a Band Manager, and his assistant is the “Gig Czar” position.
Are there separate boards for the pipes and drums and one for the Emerald Society?
The band is actually a separate non-profit corporation distinct from the Fairfax Emerald Society, and was originally named “Firefighters’ Emerald Society Pipe Band” to encourage membership from Northern Virginia area departments.We added “Northern Virginia” to our title in 2004 to clarify where we come from. We assist the Emerald Society as requested throughout the year.
How many members were in the band at the beginning?
We had 9 pipers and 6 drummers along with a Drum Major.
How many members do you have now?
With deployments of some of our folks to different foreign countries, we have about 16 active pipers, and 13 drummers.We also have several students.
Are there any charter members still in the band?
Yes: Pipe Major Steve Cochran, Pipe Sgt Ed Snyder, Past President Gary Winemiller, and myself.
What are the membership requirements to join the band, are you strictly fire service or are other allowed in the band?
We encourage fire service members, but allow military members and those who support the mission of the fire service.
Can you give us a rundown on the fire departments represented in the band?
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, Prince William County Fire and Rescue, City of Manassas Fire and Rescue, LoudounCounty fire and Rescue
Is membership outlined in your bylaws?
Yes.We require members to support the mission of the fire service, and maintain overall good character. We also have a $100 per member per year dues structure.
Is there a minimum commitment to be an active member in the band?
We have instituted a minimum 2 –practice-per month rule, but of course, 24-hour shift work puts a crimp in that for 3 weeks in a row every 6 weeks.
What was the first event you played as a band?
Paddy’s Day ’84 in Alexandria, in some very fashionable sweaters from JC Penney’s which I purchased for $16 each, and our Saffron kilts which just barely were delivered in time (and which we still have some originals of, but are in process of purchasing additional new ones.)
What was the most recent?
We were hired by a firefighter to perform at a private party on April 25. Our next gig is one of our most favorite of the year, The Ride of the Patriots, a Rolling Thunder motorcycle event on the Sunday before Memorial Day, where thousands upon thousands of motorcyclists form up and hear us play before departing. There is sometimes a flyover of Marine One, the Presidents helicopter, and we hear speeches from Iraq vets and a higher-up military member. (Last year, it was the Command Sergeant Major of the Army.)I don’t think we get our pictures taken by more people at any event of the year than these enthusiastic veterans!
NOVA Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe Band Marcing in "The Ride of the Patriots"
Can you describe your pipe band uniform?
Our uniform is patterned after the Irish Rangers: Saffron Kilt, Hunter Green Tunic—not a piper’s jacket or a doublet, but a unique garment; Bottle-green hose, with red flashes; Black shoes with shoe buckles; Daywear black sporran; Black Belt; caubeen with our badge and a bright red hackle. The pipers have bold dark green capes. In the wonderful hot summers, we skip the tunic and wear a lighter army-green dress shirt with epaulets. We also have green rain capes for the soggy summers here.
Why did you guys choose the solid color kilt over a tartan kilt?
For many years, we were the only Irish pipe band of any kind between Atlanta and Jersey. The traditional Irish kilt, from anywhere in Ireland the South or the North, is the Saff. Also, the Irish frequently in the past have chosen solid colors for kilts, (for example, blue is the actual National Color of the Republic of Ireland), but in recent years, many of the bands have chosen to wear tartans for ease of matching subsequent purchases.
Do you guys wear anything out of the ordinary as part of your uniform?
Our cap badge is custom-cast by Miles Penney in Thunder BayOntario. It depicts a gold Maid-of-Erin Harp with a small FD Maltese atop it and a ribbon inscribed “Fire Fighting Irish”, inside a silver Star of St. Patrick. This adorns our Caubeen , which is a dark green beret of sorts, with a high left side that rakes across the head and droops over the right eye. We have gotten them in the past (before the unit unfortunately was disbanded) from the actual Irish Rangers. Very cool!We also have our own patch that we wear on our left sleeve of both tunic, and class B warm-weather shirt.
Do you provide instruction to new members?
Yes, we do.
Do you charge for lessons?
No.Our dues cover this.
Who are your instructors?
PM Cochran instructs new folks, with assistance from the Sergeants.Likewise, the drum Sergeants (Snare line or tenor/bass line) oversee the new drumming students.
Are your instructors regular members of the band or do they just provide instruction?
Members, though we occasionally hire a local PM and a drum instructor for seminars or other special practice sessions, to keep us ‘honest’.
Your bylaws state “To provide educational and cultural opportunities to our members with emphasis on Irish pipe music and Celtic culture” …. how do you guys accomplish this?
We try to play a larger repertoire of Irish tunes than most other pipe bands (which in this area are mostly Scottish-based.) We have in the past attended Celtic cultural events together as a social event for members (visiting pipe bands from Scotland or Ireland, musical artists, etc.)
You’re the band Drum Major, what made you want to take on that roll?
I’m a shy, quiet guy that wanted to expand my horizons…
Okay, okay, get up off the floor.Anyone who knows me knows that’s BS.Actually, our Drum Major had to move due to his business changing hands, and being bass drummer I was the only one who knew all the tunes and cuts, and had no problem making a total idiot of myself in front of thousands.
Did you have any experience as a DM prior to becoming the DM for this band?
Nope. I had been a Fire and Rescue Department officer for over 14 years before being honored to be asked to be our hood ornament, so I had a little experience handling folks “in the street”.
Have you ever taken any training or attended any classes on being a DM?
I had the very best trainer anyone could have ever had, John David Zimmerman, former Bass drummer and Drum major for the Washington Scottish Pipe Band and lifelong DC Fire Department fire buff.He taught me how to herd cats, be NICE, work with everyone.I can’t thank him enough.
You are the lead DM for the National Fallen Fire Fighters how did you get to do this?
From the time the Fallen Firefighters’ memorial was dedicated by President Regan, piping and drumming participation was a little inconsistent. Occasionally Liam Flaherty or other members of the FDNY band would come up to pipe for their members going up on the wall. Then in the late 80’s, one of our pipers would go up to the Memorial service to make sure there was a piper there---mainly we did this because we were then the only fire service pipe band within 150 miles of Emmitsburg, and we thought everyone honored in the service deserved a piper. Over time, we began bringing our whole band up. The Mesa, ArizonaFire Department Pipes and Drums came up in the mid-90’s to put a member up on the wall, and then they started coming each year. More single pipers from other departments also began to come up. After several years Mesa had to make a choice due to lack of funding and they chose to do Colorado Springs instead of Emmitsburg. Being we were still the closest fire service band we became the coordinating band for the event. For the massive October 2002 Memorial service in Washington DC, we assisted in the formation of 4 separate massed band sections, and the FDNY band lead the procession to the MCI Center for the National service, where we were chosen to perform with FDNY on the floor of the Center---a very, very proud moment for our little band! When the NFFF Memorial service returned to Emmitsburg in ’03, pipe band participation had blossomed, increasing each year, resulting last year in a band of over 130 performers. I became DM for our band in ’04, and since our band coordinates all the attending bands, the honor of leading the memorial pipe band fell to me. To this day, the NVFESPB has been proudly helping to arrange the piping and drumming participation for the service.
What are some of your responsibilities as the DM at the NFFF?
Throughout the year preceding, I attend all the NFFF Memorial Weekend Committee meetings, and assist coordinating Pipe Major Steve Cochran (NVFESPB) and Drum Sergeant Mike Nelson (Camden County NJ Emerald Society P&D’s) with musical decisions and the pipe band plan for the service. During the weekend, I’m responsible for the movement of the band on parade and during practice. Steve, Mick and I help the arriving bands work out practice schedules, and rehearse the massed band. On Sunday morning, I’m given the distinct honor to begin the service by calling the massed band tunes, followed by our time-honored DM call “Pipes and Drums, by the RIGHT-QUICK-MARCH!”
Nova Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe Band Drum Major Brian Brendel
during practice at the NFFF Memorial
What are your responsibilities as the DM for your band?
Overall, I’m the deportment officer for the band, making sure folks are appropriately uniformed and groomed, clean, and aren’t carrying on (well, excessively…..). I get the final say on our drilling and formations.
For the drum section, I manage the drum sergeants and coordinate with the PM to ensure continuity between drum and pipe music and settings.
On the street, I direct the band, work with the PM to call the tunes, recognize when something isn’t working and shut down the band as necessary,watch for flying objects thrown at the unfortunate pipers <grin>In the line of march, it’s literally herding the cat (squeezers).
If there happened to be a squabble in the band between members how would this be resolved?
Generally, pipers go to the PM, drummers to the DM—this usually works fine.If needed, the BOD could convene to give final word on the issue, but we haven’t had to cross that bridge. We are also big supporters of “Rock-paper-scissors” or “One-potato/two-potato”….
Does the band pay for any uniform items, travel expenses etc?
Uniforms, yes, with the exception of shoes. Some of our past overnight-trip travel expenses have been paid through appearance fees. We are working toward becoming IRS 501(c) 3 tax exempt—a long, expensive process that will reap benefits for our members, allowing them tax deduction of band related expenses.
If so how do you guys raise money?
Appearance fees and dues.We are hosting a fundraiser for uniform needs this summer.
Do any of the fire departments represented in the band financially support the band?
No.And we like the financial autonomy; we are not beholden to any department, thereby not being ‘compelled’ to do Commuter Lot dedications, community pool ribbon cuttings or the like.
Do you guys charge for appearances?
Yes, except for LODD funerals, massed band mutual-aids, or requested charitable appearances (Pentagon 9/11 “America Supports You” Freedom Walk, IAFF Children’s Burn Camp, MDA-MattieStepanekPark dedication, etc)
If so how do you determine the cost?
Ability to pay our standard fee.
Where and how often do you practice as a band?
We are fortunate to have a partnership with the Fairfax County Fire and RescueAcademy, where we practice from 7-9 PM Monday nights.We also do additional off-site instruction as necessary.
Does a new member or one that is taking lessons have to prove proficiency or audition for the band to become a performing member?
We are instituting an audition, to have them perform for the DM or PM prior to the whole band. Up to this time, the process has been much less formal, trying to get our new folks on the street ASAP, but we realized we were not helping and likely hurting their development in some ways.
Who makes the decision that a person is ready to perform in public with the band?
DM and PM
How do you feel about the growth and increased interest in Piping and Drumming in the American Fire Service?
Having been around quite a while, it is wonderful to see the expansion of the bands.It is also refreshing to see the excellent cooperation between most bands, especially in times of tragedy. The Fallen FF’s memorial weekend has really become a pipe band event for the fire service.
Is there a band(s) that you guys love to hang and play with?
We have many bands that we are great friends with:Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Coalition Pipe Band; Montgomery County Maryland FF’s P&D’s; Fire Brigade of Greater Baltimore P&D’s; and last but certainly not least, Camden County NJ ES P&D’s.
Is there a must attend local event for the band? Why?
The Sikh Nation’s Khalsa Day Parade.It is amazing to see the looks people give us while marching with the Sikhs! Sikhs are wonderful patriotic Americans, and prove it each year by hiring us, transporting us and feeding us for their little parade. (The piping connection: there has been a Sikh unit in the British Army for over 200 years, and those units have fought side-by-side with Irish and British units in the world wars.)We also love the Rolling Thunder event we mentioned earlier.
Is there a large or National event that is a must attend?Why?
NFFF Memorial Weekend. What an honor to just attend that event! We are so very proud to try to help the families with their loss, honoring them and their loved ones by performing for them on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. And on top of everything, the total camaraderie between the participants, of knowing what they are there for, what they went through to get there, and how they are giving their time. How cooperative and great they all are! THANKS for attending guys, you are the coolest catsqueezers and drumbangers around! You GET IT! And, finally there is the Ott House—enough said.The entire weekend MUST be experienced.
Is there an event you want to attend as a band but have not yet?
Perhaps FDIC? Several of us are attending Colorado Springs this year to put a brother on the wall, and to watch how they do the massed-band thing, to get ideas about how to improve the Emmitsburg memorial. Next year, our band is going back to Savannah (haven’t been since ’97), but this time, as part of the National Fallen Firefighters’ Memorial Pipe Band.
What has been the most memorable experience while in the band?
So many in 25 years!Performing for every past US President beginning with Reagan.The honor and tragedy of so many massed bands for fallen heroes. The triumph of one massed band just for fun—opening for Rod Stewart last year. Nervously marching and scanning the rooftops during the sniper incidents after 9/11, wondering if we would be next? Meeting Mick and the Camden boys at “The Gingerbread Man” in Gettysburg. And that proud moment with the FDNY band at the 2002 Memorial Service.
What has been the funniest?
Fitting the entire band into the hot tub at the Airport Hilton in Newport News (we have pictures).
Who is the band clown or prankster?
Ummm, gee, nobody. Nope. No one that I can think of… <VERY BIG GRINNNN>
What is something that most people would not know about your band?
The entire band has stayed at the Malibu Dude Ranch in Milford, PA—more than once!
