Our 2009 Keeping Tradition Alive Pipes, Drums and Honor Guard Symposium is set for May 14-15, 2009. If you did not get the opportunity to participate last year you can visit this great YouTube Video which highlights the event.You can also look at our Music page on this site for several other 2008 KTA Highlight Videos. We have some changes this year that everyone should be aware of so please read through this information page.

The National Honor Guard Academy will be holding their weeklong Academy from May 8-13, 2009. If you would like more information on this course or would like to register then visit National Honor Guard Academy Home Page.

Registration for the Keeping Tradition Alive Symposium is $50. We were trying very hard to host the conference without charging a registration fee but do to the rising costs of this event the small fee was unavoidable. You can pay this fee by check made out to the City of Lewisville or if you wish to use a PO from your agency we can accept that. You will need to mail a copy of the PO with the registration. You will have to print off the registration form and mail your registration. Registration will be limited to 350 participants and we will need the registration fee paid before you are guaranteed a slot. Each participant needs to complete a registration form.

This year’s symposium will include the same instructors. We have added a bass and tenor drum instructor. A significant note for the pipers, please read! The registration form will ask for your piping skill level. If you are signing up as an advanced level piper you will be required to play for Don Shannon on the first day. This is to ensure that everyone is in the appropriate skill level and each participant gets the best quality instruction. Use the following definitions to assist you in judging your skill level:

• Beginner - would be a piper that is primarily on the chanter and still learning or working on the embellishments
• Intermediate - would be a piper that knows most of the embellishments, is fairly proficient at them and can play a few tunes on the pipes.
• Advanced - would be a piper that knows all the embellishments, and can play them clean (on the pipes). Advanced piper can play all the tunes on the symposium playlist and more.

Pipers I have added an information page which has the song list and music downloads ****HERE****

We will again provide complimentary transportation to and from the airports and to any off-site venues. If you require transportation we will need your flight information as soon as it can be provided. If you do not have the travel information at the time of registering don't delay mailing your registration. Just make sure you indicate on the form that you will need transportation and we will get the details from you at a later date.

Room rates for this years Symposium will remain $99 per night at our host hotel The Hilton Garden Inn Lewisville. You can book your rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn. Make sure you tell them that you are booking for the Keeping Tradition Alive Symposium to secure the proper room rate. These rates are only good until April 17, 2009 or until they sell out of rooms.

We look forward to seeing each and every one of you this year so mail in those registrations. If you have any questions feel free to email Terry McGrath or call 972-219-3595.