History of The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes
The Regimental Band was founded on the Citadel campus in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1909, with Marine Corps General Harry K. Pickett in command. The Regimental Band makes up one of the twenty-one companies of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.
While the Regimental Band and Pipes functions as a single cadet company at The Citadel, it actually has two parts – the Regimental Band and The Citadel Pipe Band.
The Regimental Pipes was formed and joined the college’s band in 1955. The Pipes Band is composed of a drum major, pipers and drummers and is highly competitive at Grades IV and V at Highland Games all over the United States.
Members have marched during inaugural parades and national functions and played for the President of the United States on numerous occasions including marching in the Presidential Inauguration Parades of 1953 and 1961. In 1985, the Regimental Band and Pipes traveled to Washington for the Presidential Inauguration, but extreme cold weather cancelled the parade.
In 1991, the band participated in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, becoming the first military college selected for the honor. They returned in 2010 as the only unit from the United States to appear at the Silver Jubilee of the Tattoo and appeared again in 2015 and 2024.
Representing The Citadel, South Carolina and the United States, the Band displayed the highest level of professionalism and poise at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the world’s most renowned military music festival.
The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes will proudly represent the United States for the fourth time as the country’s designated military band.
Regimental Band Director Lt. Col. Timothy Smith knew he wanted to compose something original for the band when inspiration struck – The Citadel was getting ready to celebrate 100 Years on the Ashley.