The Penn York Highlanders play a song composed by Stephen Foster, with Stephen Foster Lake at Mt. Pisgah in the background.
During World War I, when the Germans met the Scottish Highland regiments in battle, they discovered how ferociously they fought. They nicknamed these kilt-clad soldiers “Ladies from Hell.”
In 1956, when a local pipe band formed in Athens, they took on that nickname. Since their members are from both New York and Pennsylvania, they used Penn York in their name. And this region of the Endless Mountains is much like the Scottish Highlands. Thus began the Penn York Highlanders.
The Penn York Highlanders is one of the oldest active pipe bands in North America – 61 years. It averages 16 adult members clad in colorful Royal Stewart tartan. They play a repertoire of traditional Gaelic songs.
Mark King on bass drum.
“When I was a little boy I watched the Penn York Highlanders march and play in a Halloween parade in Towanda,” said Mark King. “To be a part of this band today is like one notch off my bucket list.”
“I’m a fireman and a bag piper,” said Mike Sullivan. “And I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to be when I grow up.”
“The first time I heard bagpipes I wanted to play them,” added Chris Young.
“My interest in the Highlanders came at an early age – eight or nine years old,” said Dave Yale. “It wasn’t until I had this business (music store) going that I got involved.”
The Highlanders have won numerous awards and have been granted many honors, including the distinction of playing for the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic. They are the traditional leaders of the annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Scranton that is the second largest parade in the nation.
Mike Sullivan, Pipe Major.
The Penn York Highlanders are proud of their heritage. But they are especially proud of being asked year after year, to participate in celebrations throughout the Finger Lakes of New York and the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania.
“I feel proud to continue this great tradition that we have here in the Valley,” said Yale.
Recently the Penn York Highlanders played at Patriots in the Park, an event honoring our veterans that took place at Mt. Pisgah.
“This is an event we are always honored to attend and play for all our veterans,” said Sullivan.
They are continually looking for new members. They train new bagpipe and drumming candidates. They offer tutoring on bagpipes, snare, bass and tenor drums. Band instructors provide individual attention using books, video and audio. The band furnishes uniforms and instruments.
No musical background is necessary to join the Penn York Highlanders. Anyone interested in joining is always welcome. They practice every Thursday at 7 p.m., upstairs in the Athens Borough Hall at 2 South River St. in Athens.
According to Sullivan, it takes about a year to learn to play the bagpipes.
“You’re going to be about a year before you’re on the streets wearing a kilt,” said Sullivan.
For more information call one of the following: Chris Waite at (607) 972-7747, Harold Smith at (570) 888-5190, Joan Cashin at (570) 721- 3050, Dave Yale at (607) 857-1585, or Mike Sullivan at (607) 215-5889.
“I find the pipes and drums to be such a captivating sound that stirs great emotion within,” said Yale.
“A lot of people say bagpipes stir something in them,” said Mike Sullivan. “If that’s the kind of person you are, we want you.”
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