History

The Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band practiced for the first time in January of 1975. Pipe Major Ian Swinton and Leading Drummer Jim Sim had a different philosophy regarding pipe bands in the Chicago area; Midlothian wanted to be a very competitive band at a World Level. The first goal was to start a teaching program for young people so the future band would have the same philosophies of playing.

The band was helped by the village of Midlothian, a south suburb of Chicago. The first practice hall was the Midlothian public works garage. During the first practice the snow plow trucks were driving into and out of the garage; not the best of conditions. Midlothian started as a Grade 4, first competing in Alma, Michigan where the band finished 3^rd. During the first year, in addition to Alma, the band traveled to Canada and Pennsylvania to compete.

The practice hall was then moved to a school in Midlothian which was obviously much better for everyone. The teaching program was moved to the Midlothian Park District which also helped. In 1976 the band won the Grade 4 contest at Alma.

In 1978 the band was upgraded to Grade 3. Now, several of the young players that were being taught were ready to enter the band. The band continued to advance into 1981. During this year the band entered 10 contests and won all 10. These included the U.S. Open, the Canadian, the North American, and the overall season honor of the Grade 3 Ontario Champion Supreme.

In 1982 the band was upgraded again to Grade 2. In 1983 the band planned a 3 week trip to Scotland. By now the band also had a Juvenile Band that played in Grade 4. Both bands and a group of over 100 people went to Scotland for 3 weeks and 5 contests including the World Championships and the Cowal Championships. The band was awarded the best overseas band at the World Championships and finished 8^th at Cowal. The band also finished 2^nd at Rothsey, and 3^rd at Perth and Edinburgh. The band also had the honor of playing in the City Square in Reykjavik, Iceland.

1984 saw another successful year as the band won the U.S Open, Canadian, and the overall Grade 2 Ontario Champion Supreme Award. This was the first year the band played special customized Ludwig drums that were fitted with special top snares that were designed and built by the band. These drums were played until 1988. The band was then upgraded to Grade 1. This filled a goal of Ian and Jim’s of bringing a band from Grade 4 to Grade 1 in 10 years, done almost exclusively with players that were home grown in the band. The band also made an album in 1986. This was done with the help of the Illinois St. Andrew Society.

Band photo circa 1986

After the 1987 season the band lost several players and went back down to Grade 2. The band then decided to travel to many different venues including Santa Rosa, California, Orlando, Florida, and of course the usual contests in the Midwest and Canada.

In 1990 the band traveled back to Scotland for the World Championships and the RSPBA Diamond Jubilee. The band finished 8^th at the Worlds and 4^th at the Diamond Jubilee contest. After this trip the band again went on a rebuilding program with good success in the Midwest and Canada.

1996 saw the band travel again back to Scotland this time finishing 6^th overall. The band also won the best bass section award. During the late 1990’s the band traveled again to Pleasanton, California and Scotland several times with good success.

World Pipe Band Championships // 1996

In 2001 the band lost several players and merged with the Chicago Metropolitan Pipe Band under the Leadership of Pipe Major Bob Boyle and Leading Drummer Marty Boyle. The band dropped down to Grade 3 as only some of the Midlothian players merged. The band won the Grade 3 North American Championship and was second at the World Championships in this year. The band then went to Grade 2 for 2002 with moderate success. 2003 saw the band take the season off from competitive action for the first time in its history. Following this break, Pipe Major Ian Swinton decided to return for the 2004 season and this breathed new life into the Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band. The band returned to the competition field again in 2004 placing in several contests.

In 2005 The Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band again played a full schedule including 2 trips to Canada. The band finished 2^nd in Chatham, Ontario. The band was 5^th at the North American Championships and 4^th in Montreal. The band just got better and better as the year went on.

2007 saw the band win every contest except for the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario, in which they placed second. This season saw the band win another MWPBA Championship Supreme Award.

Following the successful 2009 season, which the band concluded by winning the North American Championships in Maxville, remaining original members of the band decided to retire. These members included Pipe Major Ian Swinton, Leading Drummer Jim Sim, and Drum Sergeant Keith McDonald. With this drastic change in leadership, the band closed its cases for what it thought would be the last time.

In 2011, though, members of Midlothian Scottish began discussing a return of the storied band. With the phrase “Midlothian is Back” passing throughout the Midwest, the band returned to the circle under the direction of Pipe Major Evette Miller, daughter of founding member Ian Swinton, and Lead Drummer Adam Rusek, nephew of founding member Keith McDonald, for the 2012 season.