By Pipe Major Matt McKee, Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band
This year the Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band is celebrating its 100th anniversary. We have operated continuously since being founded in 1921 by WW1 veterans Robert and Jim Sim after they emigrated from Aberdeen to Chicago after the war.
Our band is arguably the oldest continuously operating pipe band in the United States. We have a unique and interesting history with the many events we’ve taken part in over the years. The make-up of the band is very family centric. We are pictured above on parade in 2016.
Bob, who had served as a piper with the 4th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, is said to have been offered the position of King’s Piper before he emigrated. Jim, his younger brother, also served in the Gordon Highlanders, but as a 15 year old drummer.
Once in Chicago, they scouted for a local pipe band to join, but eventually decided to round up some British Army veterans to form a new band. First it was called the British Legion Band. A year later, the name changed to the Chicago Highlanders.
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In 1926, after practicing in warehouses and baggage rooms, they were offered a home at the Chicago Stockyards and Union Company’s Stock Yard Inn, which had a huge practice and club room. In return, the only obligations the band had to make were to place a logo on the bass drum and to give a commitment to play six-nights during the city’s annual International Livestock Exposition at the International Amphitheatre. The SYKB remained at the Stock Yard Inn until the stockyards and hotel were torn down in the mid-1970s.
Stepping off on Decoration Day of 1922, the SYKB marched down Michigan Avenue with four pipers, two side drums and a bass. It was their first engagement. There have been a thousand performances since. The SYKB has played for presidents, kings, queens, princes, mayors and every ilk of Chicago politicians.
They have played at second-floor apartment parties, political rallies, dignitary dinners, wakes and weddings. Since the 1970s the band has also competed all over the Midwest of the United States, as well as in Canada and Scotland.
But how has the band survived 100 years while so many come and go? I am the current pipe major and third longest tenured behind my father Dave McKee Sr. and Bob Sim. My dad used to say that Bob Sim told him that ‘without sociability, you won’t have a band’.
That sociability and friendship has seen the band persist through good times and bad. There were splits in the 70s and 80s that jeopardised our existence, but it was the friendship, family, and pride in the band that carried it through. When I was young and learning, I remember after a split in the early 80s, that my dad outfitted my brothers and me, as well as other students, in uniforms and corked up pipes to fill the ranks.
Family connections have been key to the band’s longevity. Three generations of Sims and McKees have played in it. No fewer than 10 family groups are currently included in the membership: husbands, wives, parents, children, brothers, sisters, and cousins.
Members have spanned generations. Pipe Major Dave McKee Sr. learned his music from Bob Sim when the band was celebrating its 30th anniversary; Dave’s last performance with the band was at the 90th Anniversary Band Dance. Most of the band at the time were pipers he had taught.
Although founded by two Scots brothers, the band has evolved now to being American in every way. My father always said: ‘You don’t have to be Scottish to play the pipes or drums in a pipe band. We’ve had Polish and Irish and Germans and Dutch and Swedes. One of best pipers in the Stock Yard Kilty Band in the mid century was Jean Romalewski but we called her Jean McGregor.’
‘It’s also important we stay relevant. We’re proud that our competition performances have stepped back up in the last couple years.’ said piper Tracy Cavanaugh. In the season prior to the pandemic shutdown, the SYKB won Midwest Pipe Band Association’s Champion Supreme for Grade 4. Over the last five years, we have won the award twice and tied a third time, losing on a tie-breaker.
With 28 pipers and 18 drummers, we are the progenitor of other Chicago pipe bands, many of which have roots in the SYKB, as well as several others that have come and gone over time. The band taught prospective members out of my parents’ house for over 45 years.
The band hopes to hold its 100th consecutive Band Dance, in November. We have some great historical and century celebration updates on our website (www.sykb.com).
The SYKB has travelled to Scotland about every five years since the 75th anniversary in 1996. The pandemic postponed plans until the summer of 2022.
I learned the pipes with the Stock Yard Kiltie Band back in 1960 when there were still a few stockmen staying at the inn. Those were great days with first generation Scots sharing their stories and talent. George MacAlpine Duncan was the P/M then. I went on to play with the Chicago Highlanders in Elmhurst, Clan McAlpine band in Rockford and finally with the ZOR Shrine pipe band in Madison, WI. I am still piping at age 88, mostly for funerals.
The Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band has been continuously active since 1909, with their first public performance in 1910.
I remember McKee and his brother played for us at the Stockyard Collectors meeting at the Deck in Genesseo, IL. about 2006. His Dad sent them down and it was a great time
Mitch McKay, president Stockyard Collectors.
Congrats to Manchester and MacAlpine, along with others of similar age to Clan Macleay and other bands. It’s clear that there are a host of very long-lived bands all over North America (and we hope all survive these difficult times and add another century).
Absolutely cool! I’m a grade 4 snare drummer from NY (Firefighter McPadden pipes and drums) . We’ve only been around for a dozen years so it’s very impressive to see a band that’s been around as long as you have! I would be very interested in receiving periodical newsletters if you have them. The picture of John Burgess was cool because that’s our medley March! Stay strong and keep piping and drumming all the best!
Ot the oldest
Worcester was 100 a couple of years ago and Manchester, CT may be even older.
The Manchester Pipe Band, Manchester, CT. USA, has been operating continuously since 1915. I believe the Worcester Pipe Band, Worcester, MA. and Schenectady Pipe Band, Schenectady, NY, have been in existence since 1916.
Sorry, Caledonian*
Holyoke Camdonian is older.. 1910.
Re: Oldest Band in the US. Will you consider a correction or, better yet, an article on Clan Macleay Pipe Band. Perhaps one on other older bands, too (which believe there are). There are many that were formed earlier than Clan Macleay (e.g., Portland Pipe Band-1903, and probably a host of Eastern US/Canadian bands); but, as Chicago Stock Yard Kilty and Clan Macleay both claim, “continuously existing” is an important distinction. We celebrate Chicago Stock Yard; but Clan Macleay has the earlier formation claim, having been around and performing when the Titanic went down!
Stock Yard Kilty has a wonderful story and long history; but they are not the oldest. There are likely other older bands, but one of them is Clan Macleay Pipe Band of Portland, Oregon, around since 1912. They have a new book out. Clan Band: A Century of Piping, Drumming, Characters and Stories from Clan Macleay Pipe Band. Hellgate Press
Re: Oldest Pipe Band in the U.S. Sorry, but Clan Macleay Pipe Band in Portland, Oregon has been continuously existing since 1912 (and possibly earlier. You can read about it in the new book, “Clan Band”, published by Hellgate Publishing.
Apologies but the Clan MacAlpine Bagpipe Band of Rockford was formed in 1912, and has been performing ever since, making them 109 years old!
Congratulations on reaching your milestone anniversary. I remember chatting with some SYK people at the World champs a number of years ago. Many people will be familiar with the band due to its appearance in The Fugitive movie.