Would you like to be a part of over eight decades of tradition with the Stock Yard Kilty Band and hundreds of years of piping? 

As a member of the Stock Yard Kilty Band you are part of our family.  Through  a joint interest in music, friendships will arise. There is great enthusiasm concerning the music, which provides a family atmosphere at band practices. We usually practice twice a week, before major competitions though a bit more.   As a band we pursue an aim, which puts demands on every band member. At the same time there are good opportunities to develop as well as to participate in the teaching. Our invariable striving towards perfectioning our musical abilities put demands on the individual band members and the result is great satisfaction.

The Stock Yard Kilty Band consists of a grade 4 band, a grade 5 band in addition to a number of students. There are therefore two ways in which to join the band: As a beginner with no experience or as an experienced pipe band player.

Since 1921 the Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band (SyKB) has remained one of the oldest continuous pipe bands in the United States of America :: the band is the grandfather of pipe-bands in the Midwest.  Over the past 82 years HUNDREDS of students of every age have been trained in the traditional art of Scottish piping and drumming.  Our instructors have over 125 combined years of teaching experience....

You too can take great pride preserving this long and colorful tradition.  TEACHING has been and will remain the cornerstone to preserve the band.  We perpetuate the band by bringing new students in constantly.  We can't depend on the people from the old country to fill our ranks.