Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils emblem, Helena, Montana.

Pipeband

Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils

Helena, Montana Pipe Band Performing at Parades, Memorials, and Community Events, With Piping and Drumming Lessons and Rehearsals in East Helena.

Updated

Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils (PDBD) is a Highland pipe and drum band based in Helena, Montana. The band performs at parades, memorials, celebrations, and other public events, with a particular interest in honoring armed forces personnel and emergency responders. It describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Rehearsals and lessons

The band normally rehearses on Thursdays at 6:00 pm at J4 Automotive, 3 South Lane, East Helena. Summer rehearsals sometimes move to local parks, and the band takes breaks during the holidays. Contact the band before attending to confirm the location and schedule.

New members are welcome, and pipe and drum lessons are available. See the rehearsal information for details.

First Special Service Force connection

Formerly known as the Shining Thistle Pipe Band, the group says it was designated the official pipe band of the First Special Service Force at the First Special Service Force Association’s 2007 annual meeting.

The band wears the First Special Service Force tartan, which its website dates to 2011. The tartan commemorates the Canadian-American unit formed at Fort Harrison near Helena in 1942, remembered as the Devil’s Brigade. The band explains that red, white, and blue represent the two countries, gold recalls the crossed-arrow insignia, and black represents the Black Devils name. Read the band’s tartan history.

Contact

Use the official contact page for performance enquiries or to confirm a rehearsal.

Band photographs

Members of the Pipes and Drums of the Black Devils standing outdoors with pipes and drums.
Band members gathered beside a wreath at a stone memorial.

Commemorative details

A 60th Reunion Memorial Tattoo patch marked 2006, Fort Harrison, Montana, displayed on tartan fabric.
The band’s metal kilt pin displayed on red tartan fabric.