Table of Contents

About Us - 2

Our History - 3

Performances - 4

Contact P.M. Gary Bottoni - 414-774-8124www.BillyMitchellScottish.Org

What we do

The Billy Mitchell Scottish is a not-for-profit organization (all funds are fed back into the growth of the band) that provides its members a chance to inform as well as entertain the general public. Through a variety of engagements, including but not limited to holiday parades, corporate banquets, music festivals, heritage exhibitions, commencement cerimonies and a multitude of other public and private events, the organization has had over four decades of success in this realm.

A special feature of the Billy Mitchell Scottish, one that is unique among Scottish Highland pipe bands, is our association with Milwaukee's foremost Scottish dancing group - the Caledonian Scottish Dancers. Today, most functioning Highland pipe bands in North America perform as solo groups with a repertoire of music suitable for parades, competitions or simply as entertainment. However, the Billy Mitchell Scottish offers a far more robust entertainment package.

Along with the Caledonian Scottish Dancers, the Billy Mitchell Scottish provide an authentic display of Scottish contemporary and traditional music and dance. By presenting an array of dance and musical styles, the Billy Mitchell Scottish can offer an entertainment solution for almost any event looking for something fresh yet rooted in tradition and ethnicity.

Contact P.M. Gary Bottoni - 414-774-8124www.BillyMitchellScottish.Org

The earliest known reference to a Milwaukee pipe band is from a newspaper article about the 1905 Milwaukee Highland Games, which mentions the "Milwaukee Caledonian Pipe Band". Little more occurs until some time after World War II, when a band known as the "Canadian Legion" was organized. This group played until the 1950's, when it evolved into the "Milwaukee Highlanders". A fledgling band (the "Black Swan") merged with the Highlanders in 1969. Not long thereafter, in 1971, the "Pipes and Drums, the Billy Mitchell Scottish", was organized. On celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Billy Mitchell Scottish is Milwaukee's oldest pipe band. The Band can trace its links back for almost another 20 years.

The Band was named in remembrance of General William Mitchell, Grandson of the Scottish emigrant Alexander Mitchell. Arriving in Milwaukee penniless, Alexander earned his fortune by not paying claims made to his insurance business. Billy is credited with inventing the concept of modern air power by proving it is not good to be on a ship while someone else is dropping high explosives on it.

The Band wears the Ancient Mitchell tartan (which is also the Ancient Galbraith, the Ancient Hunter, and the Ancient Rose). This tartan is unique in being the only one claimed by four families. It is unknown if it is so popular because of its attractiveness, or whether a decided lack of creativity exists. The Ancient Mitchell tartan was proclaimed the "Official Tartan" of Milwaukee County by County Executive William O' Donnell, and duly entered into the Tartan Registry in Scotland. Any citizen of Milwaukee County is entitled to wear it. Considering the four clans that claim the tartan, and that the population of the County is about a million, Ancient Mitchell can leagally be worn by more people than any other family tartan on earth.

The Billy Mitchell Scottish wears the MacArthur cap badge in honor of another famous Milwaukee Scottish family. The Band was privileged to have this right conferred upon it by the sister of General Douglas MacArthur, who spent his childhood here, at a ceremony conducted at the courthouse square bearing the family name. It was several years later when it was revealed that this sweet little old lady, who had enjoyed some eminence as the General's sister, was in fact not his sister, and was suffering from delusions. (Recently, the band has switched to the Scottish Rampant Lion for their cap badge.)

We have enjoyed success - and a few setbacks - through the years. Competitively, in the early 1990's the Band earned MWPBA "Champions Supreme" with a record number of first places which has only recently been equaled. Historically, BMSPD has placed among the top three 72% of the times it has competed, and has played into grade III twice. The Band has appeared throughout the midwest and Canada at highland games, parades, corporate and private events, folk festivals, various althletic matches, and in concert with brass bands and symphonies. Members of the Band were part of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association's 75th "Jubilee" Celebration in Glasgow, and represented the State of Wisconsin on a cultural exchange tour to Japan. We've played for Presidents Carter and Reagan; as an opener for rock star Rod Stewart (several times); and we've welcomed visiting foreign War ships.

P.M. Gary Mitchell BottoniAugust 2001

Annual Performances

• St. Andrew's Society Robert Burns Dinner - late January• St. Patrick's Day Parades in Milwaukee - mid March• Carroll College Commencement - early May• Memorial Day Parade in Elm Grove - late May• Milwaukee Highland Games - early June• Action in Jackson Parade - mid June• Chicago Highland Games - mid June• Fun Before the Fourth Parade in Theinsville - late June• July 4th Parades in Whitefish Bay, Butler, Brookfield - July• Milwaukee Irish Fest - late August• Wisconsin Highland Games - early September• Tartan Ball in Milwaukee - early November• International Folk Fair - mid November

Special Appearances

• Japan• Scotland• Rod Stewart Concerts• Milwaukee Admirals Hockey

Contact P.M. Gary Bottoni - 414-774-8124www.BillyMitchellScottish.Org