On top of the world: Former Monmouth College Pipe Band members capture titles

One of the band members, Zephan Knichel '14, also excelled in solo competitions

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, Ill. (09/21/2026) — The opportunity for a world-class experience doesn't come along every day, but four Monmouth College alumni not only had that chance but grabbed it with both hands, coming home victors from the World Pipe Band Championships, held Aug. 14-15 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Zephan Knichel '14 and Owen Russell '10 were part of the best of the best, as their band from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia - which neighbors Vancouver - was crowned the Grade 1 champions, bringing home to Canada the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Jubilee Trophy and Banner.

Snare drummer Cameron Bolley '18 and piper Kathleen Brown '17 are members of Philadelphia-based Ulster Scottish, which took home top honors in Grade 2.

Together, those victories were an anomaly, as Scotland is typically home to the champions of both grades, with North American titles being few and far between. In all, 211 bands from 14 countries participated in the event.

"It is highly unusual for one band from North America to take home first place at the world championships, and much more unusual for two North American bands to do so," said former Monmouth pipe band member Anthony Howe '16, who reported the news back to campus, as did the band's former director and current member, retired professor Tim Tibbetts. "It's a very big deal in the pipe band world. All four of these alumni are good friends of mine, so I wanted to give them the attention they deserve and maybe inspire some young players to get connected with the newly available scholarship funds that Monmouth offers."

'I have such a love for Monmouth College'

Znichel recalled being at a low point in his life when he transferred to Monmouth in 2012.

"What I got at Monmouth was exactly what I needed - a tight-knit campus, great teachers, amazing people. The pipe band was my constant, my thing. It all really worked out. That time at Monmouth was exactly what I needed to reset my clock. I have such a love for Monmouth College and my time there. If there's anything I could ever do for Monmouth College - helping the school, helping the pipe band - I'd sign up in a heartbeat."

Monmouth might just take him up on his word, as there is early talk about a big pipe band reunion at Homecoming 2028, which also happens to be the year the college is celebrating its 175th anniversary.

"That would make it an epic Homecoming. It'd be super cool," said Knichel, who spent the day with Monmouth pipers and drummers at last year's event, in part to spend time with his former bagpipe student, Orin Weiss '29, the band's pipe major.

One of Knichel's teachers throughout the years has been Jack Lee, who would be on the Mount Rushmore of bagpipers not from the United Kingdom.

"He's the most decorated overseas soloist," said Knichel. "He's 68 years old, and he's still competing."

Now, Weiss can also say that his teacher is a decorated overseas soloist, as Knichel added to his band's Grade 1 championship in Scotland by remaining in the country to compete for - and ultimately claim - some very prestigious solo honors. Most impressive was the overall championship at the Royal Braemar Gathering, where Knichel earned two first place results.

We'll let the Piping Press take it from here: "One of the last Highland games of the summer was held in cool, dry conditions at Braemar today (Sept. 5). HM King Charles and HM Queen Camilla were in attendance, continuing a royal tradition dating back to the time of Queen Victoria. The king of the piping boards was overall champion Zephan Knichel, Canada."

The pipesdrums.com headline read "Zephan Knichel concludes terrific Scottish tour with overall win at Braemar."

Knichel also earned first place in the Silver Medal competition of piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban and a first and a fifth in two of his events at the Northern Meeting in Inverness. Piobaireachd (pronounced "pee-brock") is the classical art music of the Great Highland bagpipe.

Knichel said he has fond memories of his pipe band participation at Monmouth.

"It was pretty great. Among all our commitments - parades, Homecoming, football games - Scots Day stands out. That's super memorable for me. We went dorm to dorm, waking everybody up, sometimes going into people's bedrooms."

Brown also shared her memories of her time on campus. By day, she studied English and classics. But on weekends, just like Superman, she donned a different outfit - in her case, a kilt, not a cape.

"Homecoming weekends were my fondest memories with the band," she said. "We put a lot of effort into our performances and were joined by former pipers and drummers in the band. We were always humbled in our interactions with students, alumni and community members who told us just how much our music has meant to them - how the sound of the pipes to this day fills them with nostalgia and pride for their alma mater."

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