About Us

The band was formed in August 1979 as the Garrett Highlanders, founded and organized by the late Honorable Fred A. Thayer and Charles P. “Chip” Evans. 

A class of eight students began the course of instruction at Garrett Community College, Oakland Center. The band’s first public performance was at the local ski resort’s Summerfest in July 1980. Officially adopted by the college in 1989, the band continued to be an affiliate program of the institution until recently. The band, now known as the Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums, is under the sponsorship of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department (http://www.ovfd40.com/).

Among its many performances, the band led the dignitaries, both local and international, at the Whitewater World Championship opening ceremonies at Frostburg State University Stadium in June 1989, performed for the opening of Interstate 68 in Cumberland, MD, at Railfest, in 1992, and participated in the Scottish Christmas Walk in Alexandria, VA, in 1991 and 1992.  On September 11, 2002, the band played for the dedication of the Flight #93 Memorial Chapel in Shanksville, PA.  The band usually plays a major role in the Autumn Glory celebration held in Garrett County and Oakland, the county seat. In 2017 it hosted 6 regional bands marching 60+ Highland pipes and drums in the Grand Feature Parade. The band also has served as host band for the McHenry Highland Festival (now the Garrett County Celtic Festival in Friendsville, MD) since its inception in 1988.

Band Leadership

1979 - 2001 Fred A. Thayer, Founder, Pipe Major

2001 - 2008/09 Gerald McGee, Pipe Major (now PM Emeritus)

2009 - present Paul Browning, Pipe Major

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