Author Archives: Todd Schiele

About Todd Schiele

Todd Schiele is the volunteer President of Northwest Junior Pipe Band based in Shoreline, WA, USA. His wife Weatherly began volunteering with the band in 2004, and he joined her in 2005, helping the band's instructors build the largest and most successful youth pipe band in Washington State. Todd's children play bagpipes and snare in the Grade 4 band, and tenor and bass in the Grade 5 band. Todd has been learning the bagpipes himself, competing on the practice chanter in the off season at the Washington Pipers' Association mini-gatherings in 2008, and is signed up to compete on bagpipes at the Pacific Northwest Highland Games, although he keeps telling everyone he'll need to scratch because he doesn't have enough time to practice. Todd is a Software Development Engineer in Test in his day job, but he reports that his job with Northwest Junior Pipe Band makes him "overpaid with pride". His passion is triggered each time he sees a new member show up in their new uniform, or join the band in their first parade or competition. Todd had no experience with Highland Games, bagpipes or the Scottish Community in general when his 8 year old son announced he wanted to learn to play bagpipes. "It's not something I even thought about...but this community is incredible. Where else can a 9 year old piper or drummer walk up to the best in the world and play for them, talk with them, get guidance and feedback, and even gain new friends? It's about respect for musicianship. I don't think you're treated as an equal based on skill in any other undertaking. It doesn't matter how old or popular you are, you are treated serioiusly and with respect by most of the people in the community."