Melissa and John Pridgen

CHARLESTON Pipe band

John joined the Charleston Pipe Band along with his mother while he was a high school student learning bagpipes. After two years with the Charleston Pipe Band he was accepted to major in Mechanical Engineering and become a part of The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes.
John's musical journey began with lessons on the piano and then the alto saxophone in elementary school. He enjoyed these instruments, but he was always interested in learning the pipes and finally got
the chance when he met a piper when he was in the 8th grade.
Like his mother, he has played with both The Charleston Pipe Band and The Savannah Pipes and Drums. Not only does he play the pipes in parades, and competitions, but he is always willing to help move equipment, which any pipe band member recognizes is one of the most valuable jobs!
John’s favorite gigs are the smaller ones for fewer people. He also enjoys serving as a piper for solemn observances at the Beaufort National Cemetery. John expresses the importance of many aspects of playing in a pipe band, including the mental stimulation, competitive aspects, and camaraderie. John’s other hobbies include woodworking, metalworking, playing the saxophone, hunting, fishing and sailing. He is also a certified welder.

Meet the Pridgen family!
Melissa and John Pridgen are one of several valued "band families".

Melissa’s pipe band journey began in 2021 playing the tenor drum first with The Savannah Pipes and Drums and shortly after that she came to The Charleston Pipe Band. She finds that competing at Scottish games is challenging and rewarding. Her favorite gigs have been the Chalmers Street parade, Carolina Day parade and the Beaufort Music Festival. Melissa particularly enjoys the celebration of Scottish history and culture thanks in part to her Scottish heritage. Outside of band, Melissa can be found doing her other hobbies like embroidery, sudoku, and waterskiing, practicing Spanish, working (she used to work as a horse wrangler at Yellowstone), learning to be a registered nurse, and being a mother to her 3 sons, including John.