Bagging new members

By Shaun Inguanzo
A LOCAL pipe band playing Irish and Highland music is seeking to recruit new members from Greater Dandenong’s multicultural population.
Noble Park resident and leader of the Cormac McCarthy Irish Pipe Band, Frank Screeche-Powell, wants to promote the band to all residents, and is encouraging new members with the incentive of learning a variety of uncommon instruments.
The 78-year-old has been blowing the bagpipes for more than 30 years and has no immediate plans to cease his passion.
“I’ll probably pipe at my own funeral,” he laughed.
“That’s the family joke; they want to record me playing a couple of events and when they are burying me, or whatever they do, they’re going to play (the recordings).
“As long as I can fill my lungs up, I will keep playing.”
Mr Screeche-Powell formed the Cormac McCarthy Irish Pipe Band in the early 1990s and initially recruited his family to a variety of positions.
His daughters Erin and Regan also play the bagpipes while daughter Tara plays the side-drum.
But since 1994, Mr Screeche-Powell said the band had expanded to include a variety of people and was still on the lookout for new members.
He said despite the Irish theme, the band welcomed members from all backgrounds and cultures, with the focus being on playing music and having fun.
Mr Screeche-Powell said the band was not-for-profit, and members were only required to fund their own uniform.
“We just wear white shirts, we wear green socks, and most of the stuff we’ve got we’ve made,” he said.
“We wear khaki uniforms, just old army uniforms cut down to look a bit smarter because that’s all we could afford.”
The band acquired its name in honour of Mr Screeche-Powell’s grandfather, who was a member of a prominent family in Ireland.
Due to his talents on the pipe, Mr Screeche-Powell was invited to play a solo act last Friday for a St Patrick’s Day celebration at Melbourne’s exclusive Kelvin Club, a private club for prominent business people.
He capped off St Patrick’s Day with a performance alongside daughter Regan at St Catherine’s Church, Moorabbin, followed by a quick appearance at Keysborough’s Gaelic Park.
To join the Cormac McCarthy Irish Pipe Band, or find out more information contact, Mr Screeche-Powell on 9546 6219.