About the Band


Pipe Major Don Goller, leads the Harp & Thistle Pipe Band. The Drum Major is Neil Lester and Greg Sheridan is the Pipe Sgt. At present the band boasts over 30 pipers and drummers. The band also has it’s own three-man color guard and banner carriers. The student ranks are swelling, with many student pipers learning and keeping the tradition alive. The future holds much promise.

Mission Statement


The Harp & Thistle Pipe Band was formed to play Celtic music at the highest level possible. It is our mission to promote interest, appreciation, and excellence in this art form. To attain this goal, we are determined to attract, develop and retain top piping and drumming talent through teaching, practice, parades, concerts and competition. The band seeks to foster mutual respect among its members, to create an environment conducive to learning, to implement policies and practices designed to avoid divisiveness and to provide an enjoyable experience for all associated with it.

The Merry Troop


Harp & Thistle


Officers


Don Goller
Pipe Major

Greg Sheridan
Pipe Sergeant

TJ Jenkins
Pipe Corporal


Administration


Pipe Instructor
Don Goller


Drum Instructor
Rob Shaouy


Band Manager
Kathryn McMullen


Band Chef
Frank McMullen


Chaplain
Fr. Robert Murphy


Emeritus
Caira Everly, Vocalist
Chevawn Musumano, Bagpiper
John Paulen, Bagpiper
Mike Anderson, Bagpiper
Ryan Deschenes, Bagpiper
Colin Urquhart, Bagpiper
John Holcombe, Bagpiper
Richard Shawcross, Bagpiper
Ben Mowry, Bagpiper
Edmund Peliska, Bagpiper
Mike Witteman, Bagpiper
Katie Boling, Bagpiper
Ray Schilke, Snare Drum
Sydney Shaouy, Snare Drum
Robert Alan Shaouy, Snare Drum
Matt McCreary, Snare Drum
Ryan Raftery, Snare Drum
Stephen Mallow, Bagpiper
Vicki Dempsey, Snare Drum
Danny Parker, Tenor Drum
Judith King, Tenor Drum
Bill O’Brien, Bagpiper
Scott Simmons, Bagpiper
Foster Hanson, Bagpiper
Kaye Hanson, Tenor Drum
Tom Kelley, Snare Drum
Drew Beaverson, Snare Drum
Nick Hay, Snare Drum
George McCleese, Snare Drum
Brian Hunt, Bagpiper
Ray Devlin, Snare Drum
Steve Adams, Bagpiper

Bagpipers


Don Goller
Greg Sheridan
TJ Jenkins
Kathryn McMullen
Sean Hunt
Peggy Wilson
Paul McHugh
Dennis Madeiros
Nick Starr
Chris Willis
Andrew Hagen
Jane Noga
Nick Jason
Ashlee Sluski
Eileen Carrigan
Linda Bassler
Dave Lairson
Hugh McPherson

In Memory Of


Neil Lester
Amanda Kelley

Drums


Snare Drum
Rob Shaouy
Will Hummel
Miles McMullen


Tenor Drum
Amy Shaouy
Rhona Chalmers
Deb Houston
Mary Hutchinson
Alan Buchanan
John Dempsey


Bass Drum
John Dempsey
Bill Salamone

In Memoriam


It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Neil K. Lester on June 29, 2020 at the age of 80 years.

Beloved husband of Judith for 59 years. Proud and loving father of Sharon Pyke (Allan), Sue Zawyrucha (Larry) and Kurtis Lester (Susan). Loving grandpa to Mike (Amber), Christopher, Rebecca (Sam), Richard (Raquel), Katie (Xavier), Alex, Wesley, Samantha (Isaiah), Rianne (Brandon), Nick and Emma. Step-grandchildren Stephanie (Robert), Spencer, Missi and Seth. Great grandpa to Sophie, Zoey, Jackson, Isaac, Sophia and Kaelix. Survived by brother Tom Lester (Carol), sister Maggie Crilley (Norm), sister-in-law Joanna Corless (late Harry). Obituary here »

Get in Touch with Us


If you’d like to get in touch with us for hiring the band, for teaching or instruction or to learn of our next event, please email us today!

Email Us

Call: 239-850-1060 or 239-776-4343