42nd Highlanders Regimental Pipes & Drums

About the Pipe Major
Born September 16, 1940 in the town of Bellshill, in Scotland, George Herbert Hall was immediately surrounded by the skirl of the bagpipes. By the time of George's arrival, Grandfather Donald Gilchrist and his six offspring had already established a family tradition of piping that was many decades old, and this set the tone for George's musical life. "Aye, he will make a fine piper!"

At the ripe old age of nine, George was marching with the Boy's Brigade (an organization that during the time you could only join at age twelve). Following the BB, George went on to join "The Devil Pups," The Cameronians Scottish Rifles; the regiment his father served with through WWII.

After immigrating to Canada, George joined the Canadian Militia, The Lorne Scots Regiment, and following basic training joined the pipe band under the direction of Pipe Major Joe Sellers. During his time with The Scots, George served on honour guard for Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, and performed in numerous civic events & military ceremonies. In 1979 George took a trip to the United States, where he met Julie, now his wife of over 20 years.

In 1989, George joined The L.A.P.D Pipes & Drums under the direction of Pipe Major John Massey. The band was dissolved in 1994, at which time George co-founded The Misty Isle Pipe Band and served as Pipe Sergeant until he was invited to direct the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society's inaugural pipe band. He continued leading that band even while he was beginning to teach the pipers of the newly founded 42nd Highlanders Regimental Pipes & Drums.

In a musical career spanning over five decades, George has piped at thousands of funerals, hundreds of weddings & graduations, and even a couple of births. He has appeared on several television shows, including E.R. and Diagnosis Murder, as well as The Tonight Show with Mel Gibson (promoting Braveheart). George has been involved with movie productions, such as Rover Dangerfield, and piped for Sean Connery's 60th birthday party. He has also played for other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Andrew (at the B.A.F.T.A. awards, when Steven Spielberg was honored), and Prince Michael.

Yet despite these accomplishments and more, George remains true to his humble origins, his faith and his family. George is a dedicated Pipe Major, devoted to the ideals epitomized by the band's mission statement, and demands no less from his band or his piping students. For those who seek to master the Great Highland Bagpipe his advice is simple, but profound, and might also be interpreted as a philosophy on life:

"The objective is to improve regularly. If you didn't practice today, you didn't improve today."