Washington Pipers’ Association

This is slightly old news, but definitely worth sharing.  On June 20th, 2009, the United States Piping Foundation, associated with the Eastern US Pipe Band Association, held the Amateur Championships.  Patrick Downing, a Seattle area Grade 1 bagpiper and Simon Fraser University Pipe Band member.  Patrick has competed at WPA events in the past.  Placing 2nd in both the Piobaireachd and MSR competition, he won the aggregate for the day, receiving airfare to Scotland, two weeks of instruction, and a silver buckle. 

Patrick is another example of the outstanding talents of pipers and drummers in Washington State.

Photo by Weatherly Schiele

Patrick grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, an isolated place as far as bagpipes are concerned. His only inspiration for piping was from his father, Sean Downing, whom began teaching Patrick at age ten. Early on in his career, Patrick gained experience through pipe bands, starting with his first band, the grade V Brian Boru Pipe Band of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Patrick began solo competition at age 14, where he joined the New Hampshire School of Scottish Arts Pipe Band. He then began taking lessons from Gordon Webster, former piper to Queen Elizabeth II and his wife, Lezlie who ran the school. From there, Patrick achieved some success in solo competition, moving up a grade each year in the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, (EUSPBA).

In 2006, while attending the Invermark workshop in Castleton, Vermont, Patrick met Jack Lee. After receiving lessons for the week, Jack invited Patrick to British Columbia to play with Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. Prior to SFU, Patrick played with the grade II Manchester Pipe Band of Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated high school in 2007 and moved to Seattle, Washington to begin a life in the northwest, both academically and musically. Patrick started playing with the band in the 2008 season and is currently preparing for the band’s concert this August as well as the World Pipe Band Championships.

Patrick is currently a grade one soloist and hopes to move to professional in the fall. He enjoys taking lessons from Alan Bevan, who won the gold medal in 2008. Alan is both patient and articulate, helping Patrick to improve his expression in both light music and piobaireachd. Patrick spends Monday nights instructing the Bellingham Fire Department in becoming a pipe band. He is also available for private lessons as well as performances of every kind.