ADRIAN MELVIN

Experienced piper and reed maker

Adrian, born in Dundee, Scotland, began learning bagpipes at the age of 13 years from his father, P/M Kenneth Melvin. With a strong introduction to piping they played together in the MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band.

His piping education continued with instruction from P/M Ian Duncan of the Scotrail Vale of Atholl pipe band. Adrian was a member of the ‘Vale’ from 1988 to 1992, when the band won the European and British Championships.

Contact.

Adrian moved to Melbourne, Australia in 1992 to become a police bandsman with the Victoria Police Pipe Band under the direction of P/M Nat Russell. He played with them in 1998 when they won the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. That same year he won both the Silver Chanter and past winners Clasp in New Zealand in the same weekend, an achievement repeated only one time since.

After the Victoria Police Pipe Band stopped competing in 1999, Adrian moved to North America and played with past world champions, The 78th Fraser Highlanders, winning a North American title in 1999.

He has also played with Strathclyde Police, LA Scots and City of Washington. He was P/Sgt and P/M of Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band during a 6 year stint, twice taking the band to 2nd place in Grade 2 at the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario.

2013 saw Adrian playing with Dowco Triumph St PB and enjoying the tough competitive atmosphere of the BC association and the 2 day world championships.

Adrian then founded and led the Greater Midwest Pipe Band in Battle Creek, Michigan. They went on to win the North American Championships in Grade 2 in 2015.

In 2020 he rejoined the famous 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band and competed at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2022.

Adrian has many awards in his solo piping career. He achieved a personal favorite in 2004 at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban, Scotland, winning the ‘B’ Grade Marches and taking 2nd in the ‘B’ Grade Strathspey & Reel.

He is a full-time reed maker residing in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA - collaborating with bagpipe maker Roddy MacLellan, and playing with the Wake and District pipe band

MWPBA JUDGE

Adrian is a fully certified piping judge with the Midwest Pipe Band Association.

SCOTTISHPOWER

“Absolutely superb. What a medley...” — Bob Worrall on the ScottishPower Pipe Band performance at the 2019 World Pipe Band Championships. Scottish Power played Melvin Reeds in this performance.