OCH annual performance at the Patriot Place Irish Festival.
WHO WE ARE: Old Colony Highlanders is an inter-generational bagpipe and drum band devoted to fostering the music and culture of the Great Highland Bagpipe and drums through instruction, performance, and competition in southeastern New England and beyond. The band practices locally in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Old Colony Highlanders Pipe Band was founded in 2016 by a family of experienced bagpipers and drummers from Middleborough, Massachusetts. The band fields both a performance and competition band.
COMPETITION: OCH fields a grade 4 competition pipe band. Since the Old Colony Highlanders' first stepped into competition in 2018 where the band came in first place out of 8 bands in the 2018 Rhode Island Games, OCH has consistently ranked in the top of our division in the the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, ranking number one in year long cumulative results in both 2024 and 2021. The Old Colony Highlanders drum corps led by professional level drummer, Ian Bielski, has consistently ranked in the top and received many Above Grade Level distinctions over the years, as well as having received Best Drum Corp in 2024 at the New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mountain. OCH has also been awarded the Dress and Deportment Award twice at the New Hampshire Highland Games.
PERFORMANCE: The band performs in a variety of events throughout the year including graduations, parades, festivals, and pub crawls.
BAND REHEARSALS are located in the center of the southeast quadrant of Massachusetts in Lakeville, MA. While not affiliated with the church OCH is fortunate to be able to rehearse in a quaint New England church parish hall just off Route 495. Those wishing to learn bagpiping or drumming are invited to attend a rehearsal. Just contact the band to confirm at [email protected].
BAND Membership OCH is led by Pipe Major Diane Wood-Bielski and Pipe Sergeant Maeghan Bielski, as well as lead drummer Ian Bielski. Our leaders have received many individual distinctions and awards and possess a variety of experience playing in pipe bands all the way up to grade 1. The membership of the Old Colony Highlanders range from very experienced players to beginners and from adolescent through retirees. Members travel from all over the region including Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Welcoming New Members Old Colony Highlanders invites both experienced bagpipers and drummers to join the band as well as those interested in learning bagpipes or drums. Contact Pipe Major Diane Wood-Bielski at 508-947-4383 or [email protected] with questions regarding lessons or joining the band, or hiring the band for events.
COMPETITION: OCH fields a grade 4 competition pipe band. Since the Old Colony Highlanders' first stepped into competition in 2018 where the band came in first place out of 8 bands in the 2018 Rhode Island Games, OCH has consistently ranked in the top of our division in the the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association, ranking number one in year long cumulative results in both 2024 and 2021. The Old Colony Highlanders drum corps led by professional level drummer, Ian Bielski, has consistently ranked in the top and received many Above Grade Level distinctions over the years, as well as having received Best Drum Corp in 2024 at the New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mountain. OCH has also been awarded the Dress and Deportment Award twice at the New Hampshire Highland Games.
PERFORMANCE: The band performs in a variety of events throughout the year including graduations, parades, festivals, and pub crawls.
BAND REHEARSALS are located in the center of the southeast quadrant of Massachusetts in Lakeville, MA. While not affiliated with the church OCH is fortunate to be able to rehearse in a quaint New England church parish hall just off Route 495. Those wishing to learn bagpiping or drumming are invited to attend a rehearsal. Just contact the band to confirm at [email protected].
BAND Membership OCH is led by Pipe Major Diane Wood-Bielski and Pipe Sergeant Maeghan Bielski, as well as lead drummer Ian Bielski. Our leaders have received many individual distinctions and awards and possess a variety of experience playing in pipe bands all the way up to grade 1. The membership of the Old Colony Highlanders range from very experienced players to beginners and from adolescent through retirees. Members travel from all over the region including Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Welcoming New Members Old Colony Highlanders invites both experienced bagpipers and drummers to join the band as well as those interested in learning bagpipes or drums. Contact Pipe Major Diane Wood-Bielski at 508-947-4383 or [email protected] with questions regarding lessons or joining the band, or hiring the band for events.
First Place at the New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mt., 2024.
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OCH drummers warming up at a competition.
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