Pipers

Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE, MSc

Alastair Dunn (Pipe Sergeant)
Megan Canning
Ryan Canning
Andrew Carlisle
Emmett Conway
Kris Coyle
Graham Drummond
Mark Faloon
Michael Fitzhenry
Jonathan Greenlees
Stuart Irvine
Wesley Irvine
Jonathan Lamberton
Ian Lyons
Donald MacPhee
Brian Martin
Conor McCallion
Gordon McCready
Alisdair McLaren
Ashley McMichael
David Middleton
John Reville
Mark Smyth
Matt Wilson

Drone Tuners/Sound Assistants

Frank Andrews
Scott Drummond
Lynsey McNicholl

Snare Drummers

Drum Sergeant Keith Orr

Philip Bell
Ian Gillespie
Earl Glasgow
Aaron McCarten
Aaron McLean
Gareth McLees
Gavin Noade
Terry Smyth
Geoff Wilson

Bass Section

Jordan Bailie
Ross Bingham
Alison Gilmour
Gordon Gilmour
Glenn Higgins
Norman Macleod
Sarah McCullough
Chris Pollock

Drum Majors

Drum Major Alastair Patterson
Drum Major Gloria Patterson

Richard lives in Comber, County Down. He has been Pipe Major of the band for the last twenty nine years, making history by leading FMM to become the most successful pipe band ever to come from Northern Ireland. Richard is one of the most respected pipers and pipe band leaders in the world, gaining an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen in 2004 for recognition of his services to pipe band music in Northern Ireland. Although Richard has always put the band first, he also managed to win 7 All Ireland Senior Solo Championships, eight Northern Ireland Piper of the Year titles, nine Ulster Senior Championships, as well as winning the Strachan in London, the Jig in Inverness and a number of other prizes at major solo competitions. Richard holds a Masters degree in Polymer Engineering and works as a Engineering Manager in Bombardier Aerospace.

Back to top

Alastair comes from Newtonards, County Down. He first played with FMM in 1998 and took over as Pipe Sergeant in 2005. Alastair is a top solo prize winner, having won the Gold Medal for Piobaireachd in both Oban and Inverness. Alastair’s wife Margaret is also a top piper, and together they live in Glasgow with their young son Callum.  Alastair works as General Manager for R G Hardie & Co.

Back to top

Megan is originally from California. Her first season with FMM was in 2006, after playing previously with the Strathclyde Police and Prince Charles Pipe Band of San Francisco. In addition to winning two World titles with FMM, Megan also won the Grade 2 World Championships in 2000. Megan is married to fellow FMM piper Ryan Canning and lives in Glasgow where she works as UK Projects Manager for the charity RIPPLE Africa.

Back to top

Ryan hails from Londonderry and is one of the band’s long time members, having joined in 1997. He is a successful soloist, featuring in many 'A' Grade prize lists in Scotland. As a composer, Ryan has had a big impact on FMM’s musical selections over the years and has published his own book of music entitled The Full Monty. Ryan lives in Glasgow with his wife Megan and teaches at The National Piping Centre as well as running his own business, Canning Reedmakers.

Back to top

Andrew is from Ballygowan, County Down and has been a member of the band since 2003. Andrew has won the All Ireland Solo Championships at the senior level three times and is a regular face on the solo scene in Scotland. He is in the final stages of completing his PhD at the University of Ulster. Andrew recently accepted the prestigious post of Director of Piping at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, USA.

Back to top

Emmett comes from Cookstown, County Tyrone and joined the band in 2009. He previously played with the Ballinderry Bridge Pipe Band, where he won several major championships in Grade 2 including a World title. Emmett is a budding young solo player, having taken many prizes in the juvenile grades and working his way into the adult sections. Emmett works as an apprentice electrician.

Back to top

Kris is from Ballyclare, County Antrim and has been a member of FMM since 2005. Kris previously played with the Monkstown Mossley Pipe Band, leading them as pipe major to win second place in the Juvenile Grade at the World Pipe Band Championships. Kris has featured in many solo prize lists in Ireland.

Back to top

Graham is from Bathgate, Scotland and his first season with FMM was 2010. However, Graham has long since been a fan, as his uncle Scott Drummond has been a member of the band since 1998.  Graham previously played with the Boghall & Bathgate Pipe Band and is making good headway on the solo scene, having previously taken several prizes in the Juvenile grades. Graham will be attending the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama from September 2010.

Back to top

Mark is from Portadown, County Armagh and is a household name in the pipe band scene in Northern Ireland. Mark has been Pipe Major of the Graham Memorial, the Battlehill Pipe Band and the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Mark originally joined FMM in 1998 and with a few years off in the middle, rejoined the band again in 2007. He works as a civil servant.

Back to top

Michael is originally from Calgary, Canada. He moved to Scotland in 2004 just to play with FMM and has been playing with the band ever since. Mike was previously a member of Alberta Caledonia Pipe Band and Clan MacBain Pipe Band. He is a frequent solo competitor and now lives in Glasgow where he works as a graphic designer.

Back to top

Jonathan is from Lisburn, County Antrim, making him the most local player in FMM! He is also one of the band’s longest serving pipers, having been a member since 1995. Jonathan is well known on the solo circuit, having won the Dunvegan Medal, and locally the All Ireland and Ulster Championships at the senior level. Jonathan is married to Lindsey Ellis, Project Manager for the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch and he is a finalist in accountancy.

Back to top

Stuart is from Bangor, County Down. He has been a member of FMM since 2008 and he previously played with the Ballycoan Pipe Band, the Cleland Memorial and Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band. In the lower grades, he gained two World titles with Dr Wright Memorial, and one with Ballycoan. Stuart is currently working in the hotel industry in Bangor.

Back to top

Wesley is from Ballynahinch, County Down. He is also one of the band’s long-time members and a stalwart player in the band, having been a member since 1995. Even FMM band members might be surprised to know Wesley is a keen hockey played and has won 5 league championships in a row with Ballynahinch 2nd XI. Wesley has a young family and works as a van driver.

Back to top

Jonathan is from Belfast. He joined FMM in 2009, having previously played with the Ballycoan Pipe Band. Jonathan is a budding soloist, having won the All-Ireland Championships at the junior level and Ulster Championships at the intermediate level. Jonathan is studying Engineering at Belfast Metropolitan College.

Back to top

IIan is originally from Banbridge, County Down, but now lives in Melbourne, Australia, His first season with FM was 2009 and he travels from Oz in the summer just to play with the band. Ian is currently a full-time piper with the Victoria Police Pipe Band. He has previously played with the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, and before that the Pipes & Drums of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Banbridge Pipe Band. Ian is currently Pipe Major of the Moorabbin City Pipe Band in Melbourne.  

Back to top

Donald is originally from Detroit, USA. He joined the band in 2006, having previously played with the ScottishPower Pipe Band. Donald is one of the top solo players in the world today, having won the Gold Medal for Piobaireachd in Inverness along with a long list prizes at the highest level. Donald is a successful bagpipe reedmaker and lives in Alexandria, Scotland, with his wife Christine.

Back to top

Brian is from Ballynahinch, County Down. He is the longest serving piper in FMM other than Richard Parkes himself, having joined 22 years ago in 1988, at the age of just 13. Brian served as the band’s Pipe Sergeant for several years and he is yet another winner of the All Ireland Solo Championships at the senior level. Brian works as a banker and he and wife Laura have a young son, Jack.

Back to top

Conor is from Cookstown, County Tyrone. He joined FMM in 2009, and he previously played with the Ballinderry Bridge Pipe Band, where we won the World Championships in Grade 2 along with several other major titles. Conor has had early solo success, having won several prizes at the juvenile level both in Ireland and in Scotland, and was named Young Player of the Year 2005. Conor is studying Building Surveying at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

Back to top

Gordon is from Renfrew, Scotland. He has been a member of FMM since 2005 and was a piper with the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band previous to that. Gordon is a frequent prize winner in the 'A' Grades in Scotland and his big wins include the Silver Medal at Oban, and the 'A' Grade March at Oban. Gordon’s wife Eileen is also a piper and plays with the Johnstone Pipe Band in Grade 2. 

Back to top

Alisdair hails from Perth, Australia. His first season with FMM was 2009, having been a member of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band and Pipe Major of the Western Australia Police Pipe Band before that. Alisdair is the Director of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and is based at The National Piping Centre in Glasgow. He is engaged to fellow band member Lynsey McNicholl.

Back to top

Ashley is from Antrim. He has been a member of FMM since 2005, and previously played with the Ravara Pipe Band. Ashley is a successful solo player on the home front and is a regular finisher in prize lists at the senior level. Ashley is one of FMM’s front rank pipers.

Back to top

David is from Londonderry. He has been a member of FMM since 2002, having played previously with the McNeillstown Pipe Band. He is a former winner of the Northern Ireland Pipe of the Year competition and also is a player of the lowland pipes. David works as a secondary school chemistry teacher and commutes to band practice from his home in County Donegal.

Back to top

John lives in Leixlip, County Kildare. He has been a member of the band since 2003, having played previously with the St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band for many years. John is a previous winner of the Northern Ireland Piper of the Year contest. He recently completed his MBA from Dublin City University and works as Operations Manager for Irish Rail. John has two young girls and is expecting a little boy on the way in September, 2010.

Back to top

Mark is from Dromara, County Down. He is the third longest serving piper in the band, having joined 19 years ago in 1991. As a result he is one of the few members to win all 6 World titles with FMM. His daughter Courtney has now taken up the torch and is a piper in the Upper Crossgare Pipe Band, which Mark played with previous to FMM. Mark is the Director of a construction company.

Back to top

Matt is from Edinburgh, Scotland. This is Matt’s 8th year in the band, having joined in 2003 after leaving the George Watson’s College Pipe Band, where he acted as Pipe Major in the novice juvenile grade.  Matt spent five years living in Northern Ireland while studying and is now back in Edinburgh where he teaches piping at Dollar Academy.

Back to top

Keith lives in Londonderry and has been leading drummer of FMM since 2003. He has been a successful leading drummer for decades, previously leading the McNeilstown Pipe Band and the Graham Memorial Pipe Band, winning the March, Strathspey & Reel section at the World Pipe Band Championships amongst other titles. As a soloist, Keith is a senior All Ireland Solo Drumming Champion, a World Solo Drumming Championships finalist, and as leading drummer of FMM he has led the band to win a colossal 20 major championships including three World Championships titles, in just 8 short years. Keith has been central to FMM’s success over the last decade and is one half of the partnership that is the band’s leadership.

Back to top

Philip is from Dromore, County Down. He joined FMM in 2001, and after taking a season out with his young family, the band is delighted he is back again in 2010. Philip is a familiar face on the solo scene, and has been a finalist at the World Solo Drumming Championships in both 2005 and 2006, as well as featuring in solo drumming prize lists on the home front.

Back to top

Ian Gillespie is from Londonderry and has been a member of FMM since 2005. Ian previously played with the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, winning the drumming at the World Championships in 2000. He has been tutored by Andy Scullion, Gary Corkin and Keith Orr. 

Back to top

Earl is from Magherfelt, County Londonderry. He has been a member of FMM since 1994 and has played under Gordon, Andy and Keith as leading drummers. Earl is one of the main men behind the scenes of FMM, working as band Chairman to help with the organisation and management of the band. Earl is a senior partner with a company in the technology industry.

Back to top

Aaron is from Newtonards, County Down. He joined FMM in 2010, having been the leading drummer of the Ravara Pipe Band from 1997 to 2009 where he led the band to win several championships in Grade 2, including the Worlds. Aaron is a well known soloist, having won the Ulster and All Ireland Championships at Junior and Intermediate level, and the All Ireland Championships at Senior level. Abroad, Aaron has been a finalist at the World Solo Drumming Championships in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

Back to top

Aaron is from Ballymoney, County Donegal and he now lives in Belfast. He joined FMM in 2008, having previously played with the Finvoy Pipe Band and the Cullybackey Pipe Band. Aaron has previously won the World Pipe Band Championships in both Grade 3A and Grade 2, and has been a frequent prize winner at solo drumming contests in both Northern Ireland and Scotland at the Junior and Juvenile levels.

Back to top

Gareth is from Belfast. He has been a drummer since 2008, having played previously with the Glassdrummond Pipe Band, and the North Belfast Pipe Band. Gareth is another successful soloist, having been named Juvenile Ulster Champion three times, twice crowned All Ireland Juvenile Champion, and winning the Juvenile World Solo Drumming Championships in 2006.

Back to top

Gavin is from Ballynahinch, County Down and has been a drummer in FMM since 2003. A successful soloist, Gavin is a past winner of the World Solo Drumming Championships in the under 18 category and thereafter has been in the final of the World Solo Drumming Championships at the adult level in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.  Gavin is a graduate and works in the banking sector.

Back to top

Terry is from Drumsnade and now lives in Carryduff, County Antrim.  Terry joined FMM in 2010, and before that he spent his whole pipe band career with the Frank Rainey Memorial Pipe Band, where he spent many years as the band’s leading drummer. Terry is a tutor at the Northern Ireland Piping and Drumming School and also plays kit drum and guitar. He holds a BA in Business Studies and works as a Business Systems Analyst for an IT company in Belfast.

Back to top

Geoff is from Ballymena, County Antrim and has been a member of FMM since 2003. Geoff has played for Keith Orr for over 25 years, playing for him with the McNeilstown Pipe Band and the Graham Memorial before joining FMM. Geoff has a Masters degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and is now an Engineering Director.

Back to top

Jordan is from Newtonards, County Down. Jordan is the band’s youngest member, and has been playing with the band since 2009.  Jordan previously played with the Dr Wright Memorial Pipe Band and is a student of the Northern Ireland School of Piping & Drumming. 

Back to top

Ross is from Ballynahinch, County Down. He joined FMM in 2007, having previously played with the Upper Crossgare Pipe Band, as well as spending a season playing on the pipe band scene in Australia. Ross works as a Sales Advisor in Belfast.

Back to top

Alison is from Paisley, Scotland. She joined FMM in 2010, having previously played tenor drum with Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary Pipe Band. Few may know that Alison is also a piper, having played with the Paisley Pipe Band where she won every major championship including the Worlds in Novice Juvenile, and playing with the City of Glasgow Pipes and Drums in Grade 3A. Alison recently completed a doctorate at the University of Glasgow, and is working as a researcher.

Back to top

Gordon is from Paisley, Scotland and has been a member of FMM since 2008. Gordon previously played with the Paisley Pipe Band, and the David Urquhart Travel Pipes & Drums alongside Norman MacLeod. Gordon holds a BA Hons in Music, an MSc in Marketing, and a MSc in Management, and is working as a Business Manager.

Back to top

Glenn is from Ballyclare, County Antrim and currently lives in Belfast. He joined FMM in 2009, having previously played with the Major Sinclair Memorial, Ballydonaghy Caledonia, Monkstown Mossely, West Midlands Police and Seven Towers Pipe Band, where the band won the British, Scottish, Ulster and European Championships in Grade 2.

Back to top

Norman is from St Andrews and now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.  He joined FMM in 2006, having been a long serving member of the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band where he was a previous winner of the Best Bass Section award at the World Pipe Band Championships.  Norman also played with the Scottish Gas, David Urquhart Travel, and 1st St Andrews Boys' Brigade Pipe Band. He is a respected tenor drumming instructor, teaching bands and workshops around the world.

Back to top

Sarah is from Banbridge, County Down and has been a member of FMM since 2006. Sarah previously played with the Banbridge Pipe Band. She is a keen athlete and coaches dance, netball and Leprechaun Rugby, and recently completed her training to become a Physical Education teacher.

Back to top

Chris is from Randalstown, County Antrim. Chris joined as a tenor drummer in 2006,and later took over as bass drummer in 2007. His previous bands include Monkstown Mossley, McNeillstown and West Midlands Police Pipe Band. Chris is a Youth Community Worker.

Back to top

Frank comes from Ballymena, County Antrim and has acted as the band’s drone tuner since 2002. Frank is a well known face on the Northern Ireland pipe band scene, having been Pipe Major of the McNeillstown Pipe Band for 30 years, 20 of which were spent in Grade 1. Frank is appreciated in the band not just for his good ear and apt ability at tuning drones, but for being one of a select few who can act as a calming influence on Richard when the pressure is on!

Back to top

Scott comes from Bathgate, Scotland. A well known name to many, Scott won the Silver Medal for Piobaireachd and the 'A' March in Inverness. He was one of FMM’s front rank pipers from 1998 to 2007, having won every major championship including four World titles during that period. Scott has a reputation in the band for always producing a superb bagpipe, not to mention a good laugh and the band is lucky to have him helping with tuning drones.

Back to top

Lynsey comes from Comber, County Down and played from 2004 to 2009, winning every major championship during this time including the Worlds. Lynsey gained a first class triple honours degree in French, German and Spanish at St Andrews University. From 2010, she has been a huge factor behind the scenes tuning drones for FMM, and also frequently helps the Cullen Pipe Band, and the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. Lynsey is engaged to fellow band member Alisdair McLaren and now lives in Glasgow where she is working as a Corporate Banker.

Back to top

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy