March is a very busy month for the Colorado Youth Pipe Band. With more than a dozen performances scheduled between St. Patrick’s Day weekend and March 17, there’s a lot to do to get ready.

On a Monday night in February, rehearsals were underway at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Park Hill: Highland Dancers on one stage and music in other rooms, with students learning the chanter­—the instrument to conquer before moving to bagpipes.

The band, which includes music and dance, is open to youth up to age 18. Some families have multiple kids in the group, and most of the teachers and board members have been connected to the organ- ization for years. Band director Jamie Cuthill, an award-winning piper, is a founding member of the band and has been its director for the past 25 years.

“I knew this is what I wanted to do. My parents were both Scottish immigrants, and they wanted a piper in the family,” Cuthill said. “I’m the youngest of four, and the other three did not want to play the bagpipes. Even before I played, I loved the sound. I was very much attracted to the music and the sound.”

The sound of bagpipes and drums can often be heard outside the church when the band practices in the courtyard during warmer weather.

Colorado Youth Pipe Band is always looking for new members from in and around Denver. The group performs across the metro area, with performances scheduled at The Abbey Tavern in Park Hill on March 14 at 5pm and on March 17 at 7pm. A full list of the schedule and locations can be found at cypb.net.

Caption: Highland dancers Zoey and Zivah Palmer rehearsed on stage. The Palmer family is a big part of the Colorado Youth Pipe Band. The father, John, is the volunteer band quartermaster, and his two sons play bagpipes. Front Porch photo by Linda Kotsaftis