Meet Bagpiper Derek G. Davidson

Teacher - Teacher - Student

(Left - right: Derek Davidson, Liz Cherry, James McIntosh, MBE)

Lineage of Instruction

Derek’s passion for the Great Highland Bagpipe and his Scottish heritage joyfully began at the tender age of ten. Derek flourished under the tutelage of John Crawley, who received his training at the College of Piping, Glasgow, Scotland. Band and solo instruction was also acquired from Noel Slagle, Pipe Sergeant of the Grade I Clan MacFarlane Pipe Band, St. Catharine’s, Ontario. More recent instructors have included Jimmy McIntosh MBE (Member of the British Empire & pictured), Peter Kent, and Scot Walker, all open pipers and adjudicators for the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA).

Derek performing in Drymen, Scotland for the Duke of Montrose, his family, & Clan Graham of North America.

Director, New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival

Performer & Competitor

Derek’s goals as a bagpiper are to continue his passionate lifelong study of the instrument and convey his knowledge and skills to others. He has competed successfully in solo competitions through the Grade I Amateur level, winning prizes throughout the United States and Canada.

In his 47 years of piping, Derek has acquired extensive experience playing for Highland dancers, dance competitions, weddings, funerals, and in a variety of performance venues. He is listed as an approved competition dance piper with FUSTA (Federation of United States Teachers and Adjudicators) and ScotDance Canada.

Some piping achievements that he considers noteworthy include the following:

• Evolving in a piping career that spans across five decades.
• Received instruction from respected teachers and passing the knowledge and skills on to another generation of students.
• Serving as an instrumental member in the formation of three competitive pipe bands, all with a record of success in the competition circle.
• Appointment as Executive Director of New Hampshire Gathering of the Scottish Clans (d.b.a., New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival [NHHG&F]) from 2006 through 2012. The NHHG&F is considered to be one of the largest Scottish Highland Games and competitions (pipe bands, piping, Highland dancing, athletics) on the east coast and amongst the most diversified gatherings of its kind in North America.
• Terms as Vice President and then President for the Association of Scottish Games and Festivals, a national organization providing resources and networking opportunities for highland games.
• Participating in performances with Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Boston Youth Symphony, and The Brigadoons.

Graham Highlanders 2005 World Pipe Band Championships, Glasgow Green, Scotland

Pipe Bands

Derek has a deep interest in bands, their development, and band competitions. Beginning in a social or parade band, the Cleveland Caledonian Pipe Band (Ohio 1969–1981), he has since been an original member of the Western Reserve Pipe Band (Cleveland 1970s–1980s) and the Lehigh Valley Pipe Band (Allentown, PA 1989–1998). The latter two bands originated as parade bands, competed through the lower grades (IV, III), and achieved championship status in Grade II.

• In 1997, Derek served as the instructor for the fledgling Pocono Region Pipes and Drums (PA).
• He competed with the successful Grade II Band, Worcester Kilties (Worcester, MA 1999-2001, 2013–2014).
• In the spring of 2002, he joined the Rhode Island Highlanders (Grade III) and continued as a member through the 2004 season.
• In 2008, he began competing with the Grade III Balmoral Highlanders of Pittsburgh, PA and continued with them until they disbanded in 2011.