Leading the way…
Throughout its history, The Citadel has maintained a tradition of duty, pride and excellence as part of the cadet experience, and the Regimental Band and Pipes has been a part of that tradition since 1909. As one of the 21 companies comprising the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, the Regimental Band and Pipes leads the way and is the heartbeat in setting the tempo that all other cadets follow.
While the Regimental Band and Pipes functions as a single cadet company at The Citadel, it has two parts – the Regimental Band and the Regimental Pipe Band. Both units consist of a Drum Major and a number of musicians. Each can perform independently, but most often come together to support the Corps of Cadets, the Community and even the Nation.
Whether at home on the parade field, in a concert hall, or on an international stage, The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes has earned a global reputation as one of the world’s premiere military college bands, offering music with great variety, originality and appeal. The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes premiered original music written for the combination of both units in the fall of 2022.
In 2015 – and almost in 2020, except for COVID – for the third time in the history of the college, The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes represented the United States as the only U.S. band invited to the hallowed castle stage of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland. The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes is the ONLY U.S. military college band to ever be invited to the prestigious event which is the largest of its kind in the world. The program is broadcast in 30 countries to approximately 100 million people annually.
In 1991, the Regimental Band and Pipes became the first military college band to be selected to participate in Scotland’s world famous tattoo – a month-long nightly event of music, pageantry and demonstrations by military organizations from around the world. In 2010, they performed in Edinburgh for the second time as the only organization from the United States. Along with performances at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, both units performed at the highly acclaimed Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in the summer of 2013.
Members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets visited Columbia to participate in a historic milestone, when South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster was inaugurated on January 11 for his second full term.
The band will represent America for the fourth time, and remains the only U.S. military college band to have received the coveted invitation.
The ring is a connector. When I wear the ring, I will know that I am linked with a Long Gray Line of brothers and sisters that have come before me.