PROFILE
The Glengael Bagpipe Band is recognized as one of the premier pipe bands in the Chicagoland area. This splendid combination of bagpipes and drums is an authentic creation of both Scottish and Irish musical history. The pipe band has become a familiar sight at parades, grand openings, benefits, civic occasions, private parties, and other events.
On one Sunday afternoon in the early part of the 1990's, Mark McDonnell along with three other pipers, Tom and Julie Connely, Ed McHugh, got together and started a practice chanter table in Mark's parents kitchen.
When the band ventured out on its first job, billed as Falcon's Flight, they performed at the Ethnic Festival for the Square D Company located in Schaumburg, Illinois. In the winter of 1993, the band grew, moved practice to Triton College, and changed its name to Glengael shortly thereafter. GLEN - representing the Scottish influence, GAEL - representing the Irish influence, with the intention of performing the full range of Celtic music from both rich and historic heritages.
| Pipe Major: |
Bill Wesley |
| Drum Major/ Band Manager: |
Ron Kotlicky |
| Pipe Sergeant & Instructor: |
Tim Sheehan |
| Quartermaster: |
Emmett Woods |
| Treasurer: |
Tom McDonnell |
TARTAN: ANCIENT HUNTING MACLEOD
MEMBER OF THE MIDWEST BAGPIPE ASSOCIATION
GLENGAEL PERFORMANCE CREDITS
Addison Parade
Chicago Games
Chicago Highland Games
Tartan Day, Chicago
Deerfield Cancer Walk
Des Plaines American Legion
Des Plaines Patriot Day
Forest Park Parade and Pub Crawl
Itasca Parade
Winnetka Parade
Firehouse Dedication
McDonnell 75th Birthday Celebration
VIDEO CLIP
Here's a short clip of the Glengael Bagpipe Band playing at the
November 10th "VIGIL for VETERANS DAY" in Library Plaza,
Des Plaines, IL. The local ABC-TV affiliate covered the event
and carried it on the 10pm news that evening throughout Chicagoland.
Click here to view.
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The MARK F. MCDONNELL
Bagpipe Scholarship Fund Award
Music is a moral law, it is the essence of order and leads
to all that is good, just and beautiful ..... Plato
Mark McDonnell was standing up for who you are and
what you believe, about embracing life boldly and all that
moves you, and sharing the beauty of this life through
love, creativity, and the profound voice of music.
And because his voice as well as the expression of that
music forever exists, each year our family has chosen to provide
an individual with an educational scholarship in his name,
with the hope that they may enjoy the same support,
growth, and love our brother, our uncle, and our son
enjoyed the time he was with us.
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2004 |
Patrick Shanley, 14, with the Northwest Indiana Pipes & Drums proves that an early start on the practice chanter and supportive parents combined with talent paid off in 2004. We look forward to seeing him move up in Grade in 2005. |
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2003 |
Ben Johnson plays with the Maclaester College Pipe Band, is from Afton, Minnesota, and at 15 years old is well on his way to becoming a super piper. Ben recently won a scholarship to the Winter Storm III Weekend being held in Kansas City in January 2004. |
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2002 |
Becky Hulfacher, 19 is with the St. Andrews Pipe Band of Springfield, II. She prevailed in a tight race during the competition season. Her dedication was well rewarded. |
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