EUSPBA Honors Members at AGM

EUSPBA Honors Members at AGM

EUSPBA Circle of Honor

The Eastern United States Pipe Band Association Circle of Honor was created in order to focus particular attention on a select group of individuals chosen by the Executive Committee.  These special persons, whether living or dead, represent the highest ideals of our association as demonstrated by their service and commitment which extends far beyond that expected in a volunteer-based organization.  It is with great pride that the Executive Committee Inducts Robert (Bob) Meade into the EUSPBA’s Circle of Honor.

Bob started his pipe band career in the 1960’s with the Robert E. Peary High School Pipe Band.  While still in high school he joined the Denny and Dunipace Pipe Band in Washington, D.C. first playing tenor drum and later as the band’s bass drummer. During his time with D&D Bob developed and honed the flourishing tenor and bass style which became the standard in EUSPBA for many years. He interrupted his pipe band career to serve his country in the U.S. Army serving in Viet Nam.

Before his Army service, Bob met Betty who in 1973 became his life-long partner.  Together they operated Meade Custom Drumming Supplies which kept EUSPBA’s tenor and bass players supplied with mallets, harnesses, and instructional materials.  Throughout the years and into the new century, Bob spread the “gospel” of mid-section drumming.  He was one of the first to use instructional videos in his teaching endeavors.  Tenor and bass instructors were very rare during the EUSPBA’s early years.  Bob filled this void admirably.  Almost all tenor and bass drummers in the EUSPBA today can trace their lineage from Bob and his students.

Tragically Bob and Betty loss their lives to the ravages of Covid-19 in 2020, but Bob’s legacy continues wherever pipe bands gather on the competitive fields of EUSPBA.

Daniel F. Dickel Award

Dan Dickel was a long time member of the Executive Committee, most notably as EUSPBA’s Vice-President.  Dan could always be counted on to do the hard work of the EC and was highly respected for his efforts.  The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding service of a retiring EC Member.  This year’s awardees are Tom Burnham and David Hall.

Tom was a muti-term member of the EC.  He served on the Sanctioning Committee, created EUSPBA’s Code of Conduct and was always a respected voice on the EC.  David is a past president, officer-at-large, and chair of the Music Board.  There are few efforts of the EUSPBA in the past decades untouched by David.

The President’s Award

The purpose of the President’s Award is to recognize a band or individual who has brought international recognition to the EUSPBA or who has performed exemplary service on behalf of the EUSPBA.  In the early months of 2020 it became clear that business as usual for Games and Festivals was not going to happen.  When the Executive Committee was approached about doing contests online, it turned to an obvious resource.  Officer-at-Large Brendan O’Reilly was the person who created and implemented the web generated score and tabulation sheets that the EUSPBA currently uses at in person contests. It was clear that Brendan was going to be the point person in any virtual effort that EUSPBA made.  Working closely with contest organizers, he turning EUSPBA into the world leader in organizing and promote virtual contests.  The untold hours put in by Brendan turned the disaster of 2020 into the success of 2020!