Ian T. Coletti - Professional Bagpiper
Piping...
...something that has helped mold who I am. I am proud to play such a noble instrument as the bagpipes. Actually, it wasn't always a noble instrument, but what the heck... it sounds cool! :)
I first started when I was 12 years old... then promptly quit the summer after I started. Being the capitalistic sod that I am... I took on a bet later that October from Doug Grey that I would not be in the Stone Mountain Highland Games Tattoo the following year. Looking back... I'm sure winning that crisp $50 bill was more pain for others than joy for me!!
Now... 25 or so years later, I have played with three pipe bands and now on my fourth. I've played in six different countries and have played for such well known folks as Mikhail Gorbachev, the Dahli Lama and Malcolm Forbes, Jr. I've also played at Chastain Park in Atlanta twice. Once with the Atlanta Pipe Band when we opened for the Indigo Girls and once with Gracie Moon when we opened for the Neville Brothers. These are but a few things that I've had the pleasure of doing over the last 25 years.
A sample of other noteable performances / items (some with Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout:
- Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. (w/ Bonnie Rideout)
- Lied Center of Kansas (w/ Bonnie Rideout)
- Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (w/ Bonnie Rideout)
- Scottish Christmas DVD & CD (w/ Bonnie Rideout... recorded live in Michigan)
- 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival (The only non-Scottish artist performing)
- World Pipe Band Championships Live CD's of Grade I performances - 2001 (Finals), 2002 & 2003 (Qualifier), 2004 (Qualifier & Finals) | Recorded live each year at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association's World Championships held in Glasgow Green, Glasgow, Scotland
- Countries performed in: United States, Canada, Scotland, Iceland, Belgium, Netherlands
The band I started with and first got instruction was the John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes and Drums. I played with that band for about 6 years before making the jump to the Atlanta Pipe Band. With the APB, I became one of the Pipe Sergeants early on. After graduating from the University and moving back to Hotlanta... I was elected Pipe Major. This had been a life goal for some time. Although it was a tenuous and sometimes unrewarding job, I am proud to have served in that role and hope that I inspired members of the band musically while there. I look forward to an opportunity to give the position another shot some day.
The CoW Years...
For seven years I played with the Grade I City
of Washington Pipe Band. At the end of 1999, the band was promoted
to Grade I, the highest competitive level for
Pipe Bands in the World. Becoming a member of the COW Pipe Band
:) fulfills another life goal of playing with a Grade I band. I
had many wonderful experiences performing and competing with the band.
These last several years have allowed me to knock off a few more goals
on the list of Life Goals. We competed at the World Pipe
Band Championships in Grade I at the Glasgow Green in Glasgow, Scotland
five times and made the finals twice. Playing in the Final's Circle
in the Grade I contest has long been a goal of mine since I knew what
the World's was all about. Even more of an honor was placing 12th
the first year and 14th just this last year in the Finals competition
and being recorded live. Making the CD's is even more special
because I used to listen to the World's recordings when I was a "wee"
lad... back in the 80's. ;) What would make this even more special
is knowing that kids all over the world will be listening to the CD's
and hear this band from the US and say... "they rock!"
Today...
I am playing with the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band Keith Highlanders Pipe Band. I'm honored to play with them and am glad they let me play given my busy travel schedule for work!
Solos...
On the solo competition front, I have finally managed to get upgraded to the Professional grade after being an Amateur Grade I piper for about 11 years. Better late than never. I've had the honor of competing at many great competitions over the years. ...if you ever catch me with a few shots of fine Single Malt in me... ask me about the monsoon fest at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina. My first teacher, Norman Livermore will tell ya about it.
Speaking of teachers... Norman was my first (for about 6 years), but I also took a lot of instruction from Albert McMullin. I was also very lucky in attending many piping schools while growing up. I attended the Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming where I had the fortune of taking lessons from the likes of Jimmy McIntosh, Mike Cusack, Jimmy MacGregor, Ronnie Lawrie, and Iain MacLellon. The Southeastern Eastern United States Pipe Band Association's Workshop held every February also introduced me to the piping expertise of many other great pipers.
So... I still have many a piping goals. One day... if I can manage to get my arse in gear enough, I'd like to compete in Scotland and who knows... maybe win a Gold Medal or two.