Fantasy, myth, legend, truth – all are intertwined in the story that is Scotland.
Laurence Overmire
REgimental Staff (Band Staff)
Pipe Major James V. DeGeorge III
James "Jim" DeGeorge serves as the Pipe Major for the 79th Highlanders. As a 23 plus year veteran of the US Army and Colorado National Guard, MSG DeGeorge has served in multiple position including multiple instructor and teaching positions. Additionally, he serves as the "Governor's Own" State Piper for Colorado performing at Inaugurations, Military Balls, Memorial Services, and other State level functions. Jim is a seasoned living historian with over 35 years of experience with Battery G 2nd IL Light Artillery and the 79th NY Vol Inf. In addition to being a grade V piper, Jim is also a classically trained Saxophonist and a student of the Violin. Mr. DeGeorge has performed with the Micheal Collins Pipes & Drums, The Pikes Peak Region Police Pipes & Drums and is a "Kilted member of the Pikes Peak Highlanders.
The Pipe Major is the Senior Piper for the Band and the musical director and guiding leader of the band as a whole and is responsible for the overall direction, performance quality, and commitment of the band. The Pipe Major establishes the band's musical repertoire and advises which events the band will or will not participate in.
Pipe Sergeant John S. Kummer
John S Kummer served as the Pipe Sergeant for the 79th Highlanders. a Veteran of the United Stated Navy for over 4 years but did not make a career of it. John worked in banking and the financial industry for over 40 years then in Auto Insurance for over 16 years. He has taught a class in personal finance to exchange students at Arapahoe Community College. John Kummer is a graduate from Littleton High School in 1968 has an Associates in banking and finance degree from Arapahoe Community College. and a bachelor’s in information technology management from DeVry University. An early member of the 79th New York Highlanders, John has been doing Mountain Man re-enactments (circa pre 1840 since 1970’s). Mr. Kummer has been playing the pipes in the band since 2014 and has a background in music doing marching band and choir since the age of 10 and throughout middle school and high school. In addition to the Bagpipes John Kummer has played the piano, flute, and piccolo. John has made piping a family affair introducing the bagpipes to his grandson and granddaughter.
The Pipe Sargent is the person that helps get everyone tuned up and at the correct Hz for our day. He oversees the tuning of each individual piper and the adjustments to be made to be in tune with the band. Also, I am a piper so I must continue my learning and all that is required to play the pipes so this can be passed on to other pipers. I am the one who hears the off tune note and must find who or what had played it so we can correct it and have everyone in tune. Even though the bagpipes have only nine notes, it also has 4 reeds that can give a piper problem until you can get them all in tune and set correctly so it is not too hard to blow.
Drum Major
The Drum Major is responsible for directing the band when on parade, including the band’s overall appearance which includes proper dress, drill and discipline.Positioned at the head of the band and with the aid of a mace, the Drum Major communicates to the band using a range of both verbal commands and visual gestures. The Drum Major signals the band what time to keep, when to step-off, what to play, when to turn, when to mark-time, when to play and when to stop.In addition, the Drum Major serves as a liaison between the Pipe Major and the band and is responsible for keeping the band organised and structured.
Drum Sergeant
The Drum Sergeant is responsible for the function and performance of the Drum Corps, which consists of all snare, tenor, and base drums. The Drum Sergeant is often the Lead Snare Drummer; however, this is not always the case. The responsibilities of the Drum Sergeant include but not limited to:
Communicating with the Pipe Major to maintain consistency with the vision of the band's direction and purpose.
Driving the progress and motivation of the drum corps including finding and introducing new players when needed.
Ensuring all drummers maintain the level of skill required by the band.
Keeping track of the instruments and ensuring they are properly looked after and respected.