Pipe Major

The Pipe Major is the director of bagpipe music in a Scottish or Irish pipe band. Like Drum Major, the position of Pipe Major is derived from British Army traditions. During the early twentieth century, the term Sergeant Piper was used for the role in place of "Pipe Major".

Civilian and military pipe bands usually assign a Pipe Major. Apart from being an outstanding musician, a Pipe Major should by tradition be an educated person well-versed in the history of bagpipe music as well as the history of their clan or regiment. The Pipe Major of a pipe band is usually assisted by a Pipe Sergeant.

Whether it is a civilian or military pipe band, the Pipe Major is usually responsible for:

• Band administrative work
• Selection, compilation and arrangement of tunes for the band's repertoire
• Acting as a musical director and leading band rehearsals
• Coordination of the band's performance schedule
• Conducting and arranging for solo performance at weddings, funerals, dinners, and other functions
• Training learning and beginning pipers

British Army

A Pipe Major position is an appointment and not a military rank. As such, they are required to attain a senior non-commissioned officer rank (Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Colour Sergeant, or Warrant Officer) and have successfully completed the Pipe Major's Course at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming before they would be appointed the regiment's Pipe Major. Since the pipes and drums of an infantry regiment are normally required to take on a secondary role as a machine gun platoon, the Pipe Major is responsible for the following additional tasks:

• Be the platoon's operational commander or second-in-charge during military exercises or war
• Ensure military discipline among members of the Pipes & Drums
• Be a transmitter of regimental history and customs

The Pipe Major is usually referred to and addressed as "Pipe Major" and not by his rank. The insignia of appointment is four point-up chevrons worn on the lower sleeve, usually surmounted by a bagpipes badge and frequently by a crown or other badge dependent on rank and regiment.

Canadian Forces

"Pipe Major" in the Canadian military is also an appointment not a rank. Pipe Majors are appointed by the unit Commanding Officer after consulting with the Supervisor of Music (Directorate of History and Heritage - 7). The Pipe Major's insignia (a four-bar chevron with bagpipe badge) is usually surmounted with the appropriate rank badge.

Most Pipe Majors in the Canadian Forces are responsible for regular force volunteer strength bands or primary reserve bands.