Soon, the late C. K. Macdonald, then owner of Idlewild Park, agreed to sponsor the band, and it officially became the Macdonald Pipe Band of Idlewild Park, Pennsylvania in September 1967. 

In 1984, the band incorporated as a nonprofit under the name the Macdonald Pipe Band of Pittsburgh, Inc. In the 1980s and 1990s, it fielded an award-winning Grade 3 band. During this time, the band recorded its first album, “Salute to Clan Donald.” Over the years, the band opened in Pittsburgh for Rod Stewart and British Regimental Bands, such as the Black Watch and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. The band also performed for HRH Prince Charles at Pittsburgh’s
Benedum Center.

In 1994, 2000 and 2006, the band toured Scotland, performing for clan dignitaries and competing at several Highland Games, including the World Pipe Band Championships in 2000 and 2006. A second album was recorded in 2005, titled “On the Right Track.”

 In 2011, after a period of renewed growth, the Macdonald Pipe Band fielded a Grade 5 and Grade 4 competition band. The bands went on to achieve much success competing in the Eastern U.S. Pipe Band Association under the tutelage of Carnegie Mellon University piping program graduate and Open piper Nick Hudson, then-Grade 1 snare drummer Miles Bennington & tenor drummer Ali McLeod, and with a lot of hard work from its members. 

The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the band, although rehearsals continued via Zoom exclusively, and then in a hybrid format throughout 2020 and 2021. The band was not able to compete in 2020, 2021 or 2022. Performances were limited because of the pandemic at first, and later, owing to a diminished roster. Never once, however, did the band consider calling it quits.

In the 2023 competition season, Macdonald joined forces with another local band, the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Pipe Band, to compete under the name Avalon and District Strathspey & Reel Society Pipe Band, under the direction of piping instructor Palmer Shonk and drumming instructor Larry Allen. The combined band performed well enough in Grade 5 to earn an upgrade to Grade 4. Back under the name of Macdonald, and with an influx of new members, we are excited to field both a Grade 4 and Grade 5 corps in competition in 2024. 

Fundraising is constant and very appreciated as we rebuild and require more instruments and uniforms. To donate to the band, click here. 

For information on joining the band, click here.