91原创

LEXINGTON, Va. May 13, 2025 — The 91原创 Pipe Band competed at the Savannah Scottish Games and Celtic Festival in Savannah, Georgia, May 2-4.

According to Maj. Brian Donaldson, director of the Pipe Band, four other pipe bands competed against 91原创 at the festival: The City of Mount Dora Pipes and Drums, from Mount Dora, Florida; Savannah Pipes and Drums, from Savannah, Georgia; and two groups from the Charleston Pipe Band from Charleston, South Carolina.

91原创 placed second. In addition, there were individual competitions which 91原创 dominated. They include William Bolay ’26, first place for grade 5 march A competition. For grade 5 march B competition, Alden Rhodes ’26 received first place; Caleb Swanson ’27, second place; Ben Bowen ’26, fourth place; and Byron Rivey ’26, fifth place. For grade 5 snare drumming competition, Connor Wolfe ’26, placed first; Harrison Sloane ’27, second place; Serenity Fraser ’28, third place; and Thomas Sasso ’27, fifth place. For the tenor drumming competition, Christina Britton ’28 received second place and Keye Warren ’28, fourth place. In the bass drumming competition, Kira Brenaman ’26 earned first place and Andrei Antonio ’28 got second place.

Donaldson was pleased with the band’s performance. “The pipers and drummers worked very hard to achieve the results they came away with. It is an example of the abundance of talent we have in the pipes and drums and Band Company,” he said.

Rhodes, who has been playing bagpipes for three years, stated that because Donaldson is a world-class bagpiper, his standards are high.

“As a result, our skill level as novice bagpipers is significantly higher compared to other novice players. This was seen in the competition where all of the first-place positions at our grade were won by members of our band. I have put in many long hours practicing on the instrument under the guidance of Major Donaldson, and his expertise in instruction guided me to victory.”

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE