Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums is a Manx Registered Charity Registered No. 409. The pipe band currently (2022) has around 20 members and a few beginners. The membership includes bagpipers, snare, tenor and bass drummers.
The band raise awareness of the Manx National Tartan through their uniform kilts. The unique seven thread tartan is registered for the bands sole use. They utilise an on-Island kilt maker to adjust current uniform stock before considering the purchase of new items.
Weekly practices are held in a local school hall. Car sharing is encouraged, where possible to both practices and events. Individuals are welcome to come along and learn any of the instruments. Tuition is provided on drumming or chanter work before progressing on to the drums or bagpipes.
Within their repertoire, Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums play several Manx tunes. In a collaborative venture with Culture Vannin in 2018 a collection of Manx tunes for the bag pipes was produced, called ‘Piob Vooar’. When performing Manx folk dancers such as Skeddan Jiarg and other dance groups often dance to the tunes, such as Eunysaagh Vona.
Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums are invited to perform at numerous cultural events throughout the year, such as the closing ceremony on Tynwald Day, Yn Chruinnaght, Manx memorial events such as Summerland, Winter Hill, Sir William Hillary and Remembrance Services Day events across the Island. When arranged, we also play at weddings, funerals and special events such as graduation ceremonies, Burns Suppers. In addition, Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums also play in support of other local charities on the Island, with Ellan Vannin being a very popular request.
