The Oregon State Defense Force Pipe Band
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Laura Kramer

Sixteen years ago I was a parent volunteer for my son's class and Ron Baker was his teacher.  I was helping out in the class one day when Ron pulled out his highland pipes and played Happy Birthday for someone.  Listening to him play really knocked me out.  I play the obo, bassoon and clarinet and have been playing some form of woodwind instrument since I was in the forth grade.  The bagpipe is a crazy instrument and hearing Ron play it made me want to pick it up. I'm a professor emeritus at Western Oregon University and in addition to the Oregon State Defense Force Pipeband, I'm a member of the Oregon Chamber Players and the Linn-Benton Community Band.  The people in this band are, however, the greatest and what I share with pipers is that hard work and perseverance make it happen.  My most memorable and favorite performance was my first.  The band played in Albany Veteran's Day parade and it poured buckets of rain.  Every member was soaked from being in the rain for two hours and some were complaining.  I thought it was funny because I was so happy to have played.