The City of Dunedin, Florida has had a long tradition of a
Scottish heritage. The City of Dunedin recognizes Stirling, Scotland as a sister city. The
Highlander Band also shares this same heritage.
In 1957, representatives of the Dunedin business community,
the Dunedin Junior High School, and the Band Boosters united to transform the Junior High
School Band into the Highlander Band. These founding fathers were:
Mr. Bob Longstreet, St. Petersburg
Independent Newspaper.
Mr. Dick Danford, Principal of Dunedin Junior High School.
Mr. Bill Allen, Bandmaster of Dunedin Junior High School.
Mr. Cliff Burris, President of the Band Boosters Association.
The owner of the Independent, Lord Thompson of Scotland,
donated the first set of bagpipes for the band. The Band Booster Association raised funds
for the second set. An experienced military piper, Mr. Matt Forsythe, came forward to help
condition the pipes. He also became the first instructor for the pipers and thus,
the Highlander
Band was formed.
Mr. Bill Allen laid the foundation for the Scottish heritage of
the band and was an inspiration to his students. One of those
student's was so inspired by Mr. Allen that she later became the
second and current director of the Highlander Bands, Mrs. Mary
Jo Blair. Mr. Allen remains involved with the bands by writing
many of the arrangements the bands now play. An award was
established in his honor in 2000 named the Mr. Allen Award for
musical excellence and is given to the Highlander Band student
most recognized for their musical ability.
Mrs. Mary Jo Blair earned her Bachelor Degree in Music
Education at the University of South Florida and became the band director in 1988. Under Mrs. Blair's leadership the band consistently wins top honors at
Highland Games competitions and has toured many parts of the United States including New
York City and Washington, DC. Mrs. Blair has been recognized in the "Who's Who of
American Educators" and twice been honored as the Teacher of the Year at Dunedin
Middle School. She remains the band director today and the inspiration of many young
people as Mr. Allen was and is to her. What makes Mrs. Blair most proud is when one of her
student's becomes a teacher. One of those students now serves as the chairperson of the
Production Committee on the current Board of Directors and volunteers as a teacher and
mentor to several students in the current band.
Mr. Sandy Keith started his piping at the age of 11 at the College of
Piping in Glasgow, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada with his parents
when he was 17. After having joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, he
became the Pipe Major of the Erskine Pipe Band. He led them through the
ranks of grade 3 to grade 1. Today he serves as the Pipe Major for the
City of Dunedin Pipe Band (Grade 2) and instructs the Elliot Pipe Band
(Grade 4), Dunedin High School Pipe Bands (Grade 4 & 5), and the Dunedin
Highland Middle School Pipe Band (Grade 5). All these pipe bands are in
the small town of Dunedin, FL. Mr. Keith has compiled a book called
"The Florida Collection" of Bagpipe Music, much of which is his own
compositions over the last 25 years.
We also pay tribute to "Mr. B", whose real name is
Mr. Benjamin Losonczy. Mr. B volunteered with the band for 5 years. He directed the band as an assistance
to Mrs. Blair. He provided individual instruction to students, tuned the band for
concerts, mentored young people, and lived his dream in the band room at Dunedin Highland
Middle School. He was loved by all and an inspiration to everyone who knew him. He was
honored as the State of Florida Volunteer of the Year for Seniors in 1999. Mr. B passed
away in May of 2000 and is truly missed. The "Mr. B Award for Outstanding
Citizenship" was established in his honor and is given to the Highlander
Band student who most exemplifies good citizenship and respect for others. We love you Mr.
B. |