2023 Phoenix Pipe Band Executive Board
President – Jessica Fowles
Vice President – Juli Gillespi
Treasurer – Andy Minto
Secretary – Derek Maddox
Phoenix Pipe Band Musical Leadership
Grade 3 Pipe Major – Jeff Anderson
Jeff Anderson began his gratifying Scottish arts career in the Dunedin, Florida school system, joining the Grade 2 City of Dunedin Pipe Band his junior year at Dunedin High School. He won the Southern United States Pipe Band Association (SUSPBA) Champion Supreme title for multiple consecutive years and was promoted to the solo open class in 1996.
During college, Jeff organized and led the University City Pipe Band in Gainesville, FL and returned to the City of Dunedin Pipe Band after graduation. He served as chairman of the SUSPBA Music Advisory Board from 2003 to 2012. He is a qualified piping adjudicator on the EUSPBA and WUSPBA judges’ panels and has judged solo piping and pipe bands from California to Florida. Jeff resides in Scottsdale, Arizona and is the pipe major of the Grade 3 Phoenix Pipe Band. He has served on the grading committee for the WUSPBA Music Board from 2013 through 2023, has taught piping in the Lifelong Learning program at Yavapai College, and routinely teaches several successful, prize-winning students across Arizona.
Grade 3 Drum Sergeant – Derek Maddox
Grade 5 Pipe Major and Instructor – Chuck Burgin
Chuck Burgin has been piping and teaching since 1971. Starting out in a new High
School Pipe Band in California he was quickly awarded a Distinction in Teaching Award at
the 1973 College of Piping Summer School by the legendary Seumas MacNeill. He
won the 1974 College of Piping Scholarship and in 1975 attended the College
of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland to be taught by such piping Masters as Duncan Johnstone
and John D Burgess. Chuck achieved the grade of Professional in solo competition in
1979. He continues to instruct students who are regular winners on the solo circuit
and play in bands nation-wide. Chuck has played with such bands as: Glasgow Skye
Association in Scotland, Caledonian, Beach Cities, LA Scots, Seven Pipers Society,
Mesa Caledonian, and the Phoenix Pipe Band. Recently, Chuck was also invited to compete with the Claddach Mhor Pipe Band from Portland, Maine. Chuck has a solid
background in what it takes to be a winner in solo competition and be a solid band contributor
Here is what students say about Chuck:
Noah Cox (Phoenix Pipe Band and Grade 2 soloist))- Chuck has a great ear for
listening to the music when playing a tune, and is quick to correct a mistake that is
played. He focuses on getting his students to be playing perfection in any tune. Whereas
other teachers only focus on good enough, he focuses on perfection. After being
instructed for a year by Chuck Burgin my playing has increased dramatically. Chuck took
me from a mid-level Grade 4 level to a Grade 2 piper. Chuck not only instructs and
focuses on playing but when choosing competition tunes for his students he decides to
pick ones that are better suited to each of his every student. Chuck Burgin might be a
tough teacher, but he emphasizes on playing well, and will make any student better.
Alastair Martin (World Grade 2 Champion City of Dunedin Pipe Band and Grade 1
soloist) – Chuck combines a great deal of patience and honesty with a perfectionist’s ear.
Whereas many instructors will consider a performance based on its overall merit, Chuck
considers a performance of his students based on a collection of individual pieces. When
beginning one’s tuition, this pursuit for perfection will serve the student well into their
piping career. That is, pursuing immaculate fundamentals. In my case, I began instruction
with Chuck after a half-decade without instruction, and at most a decade of playing. His
instruction took me from a mid-tier Grade III piper to a more competent and rounded Grade I, moreover, the ability to perform in higher caliber pipe bands.
Elijah Woodward (Grade 1 soloist and WUSPBA Champion)
Chuck Burgin is a rare gem in the world of bagpipe instructors. His ability to explain the technical details as well as the musical nuances provides the student a holistic understanding few instructors can pass along. After 20 years of piping, being the Western US Solo Champion, and numerous piping clinics and school, Chuck’s instruction and pedigree is world class and more than ample to take you from beginner to the competent.
Glen Thompson (Senior Western US Pipe Band Association Adjudicator) – I have known Chuck for over 50 years. While an outstanding solo competitor, what has always impressed me is his teaching and the overall quality of his many students. As a Senior Adjudicator, I know when one of Chuck’s students comes before me in competition I am going to hear a fundamentally sound, musical performance on a well-tuned bagpipe.
Chuck is pleased to teach the over 8’s and under 80’s at any level on the Great Highland Bagpipe.
He may be contacted @ 480-276-1502 or burgin_charles@yahoo.com
Grade 5 Drum Sergeant – Rod Bain