Darrell Calvillo is an open class solo competitor, band leader, Western United States Pipe Band Association Adjudicator, musical arranger, studio musician, educator, and proprietor of DC Music with over twenty years of professional experience in the music industry. He is a member of Celtic/World band Silent Planet and also performs as a guest artist with various bands and ensembles such as The Chieftains, Breabach, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and the Blue Man Group. In the realm of competition pipe bands, Darrell is currently Pipe Major and Musical Director of the Nicholson Pipes & Drums based in Westminster, California and has previously competed with competition bands in every grade. In the entertainment industry, Darrell has recently has been featured in recordings and filmings for Amazon, Budweiser, California Sound, Capitol Records, Comedy Central, Guinness, CBS, E!, Paramount, and TLC.
The passion with making music started for Darrell at age nine when he first learned violin at school. During middle school and high school he performed with the Citrus College Summer Youth Orchestra and Claremont Youth Orchestra. Inspired by Riverdance and Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, Darrell became interested in Celtic music. Darrell began to learn how to play the pipes with the Glendora High School Pipe Band, receiving formal instruction from Jeffrey Henderson and Colin Armstrong. During his high school years with the Glendora High School Pipe Band, Darrell began to compete in solo competitions, ascending to the Grade 1 level.
After high school, Darrell attended Citrus College to study music theory and performance. At Citrus College he began to learn baritone saxophone and performed in various school groups, including the Sierra Wind Symphony, big band, and Latin (salsa and cumbia) ensemble. Darrell transferred to the University of La Verne and earned his Bachelors Degree in Music. These musical foundations in combination with tutelage of pipers Murray Henderson, Ian Whitelaw, Seumas Coyne, and Scott Ruscoe have gifted Darrell with extensive experience in western classical music with specialization in the Celtic genre. For well over a decade Darrell has been a professional music educator, instructing and mentoring individual students, competition and performance bands.
The passion with making music started for Darrell at age nine when he first learned violin at school. During middle school and high school he performed with the Citrus College Summer Youth Orchestra and Claremont Youth Orchestra. Inspired by Riverdance and Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance, Darrell became interested in Celtic music. Darrell began to learn how to play the pipes with the Glendora High School Pipe Band, receiving formal instruction from Jeffrey Henderson and Colin Armstrong. During his high school years with the Glendora High School Pipe Band, Darrell began to compete in solo competitions, ascending to the Grade 1 level.
After high school, Darrell attended Citrus College to study music theory and performance. At Citrus College he began to learn baritone saxophone and performed in various school groups, including the Sierra Wind Symphony, big band, and Latin (salsa and cumbia) ensemble. Darrell transferred to the University of La Verne and earned his Bachelors Degree in Music. These musical foundations in combination with tutelage of pipers Murray Henderson, Ian Whitelaw, Seumas Coyne, and Scott Ruscoe have gifted Darrell with extensive experience in western classical music with specialization in the Celtic genre. For well over a decade Darrell has been a professional music educator, instructing and mentoring individual students, competition and performance bands.
Bagpipe Services
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Funerals & Memorials
Funerals and Memorial Services are special occasions for the remembrances of a loved one and the celebration of their life. Bagpipes add greatly to the emotional needs and ceremonial requirements of these kinds of services. Equipped with the right selection of tunes, a piper can assist in easing the pain and sorrow felt with the loss of a loved one. The popular gospel air, "Amazing Grace", for example, will undoubtedly evoke loving memories. More about funeral & memorial services.. |
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Weddings
Bagpipes are an enjoyable addition to your special day. Pipers have been performing at weddings for centuries. As well as performing rousing music, the piper is a magnificent visual spectacle for any event. Read more about Wedding Services... |
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Parties & Events
Bagpipes are not just for weddings and funerals! Surprise parties, birthday parties, corporate galas, parades, school assemblies, religious services, fundraisers, golf tournaments, sporting events, and more. No event is too small or too unusual to have bagpipes. |
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Lesson & Classes
Darrell is a full time, passionate instructor offering private lessons, group classes, workshops, and band/ensemble instruction. Darrell a competition adjudicator for the Western States Pipe Band Association adjudicator and holds a B.A. in Music from the University of La Verne. More about lessons, classes, and learning how to play the bagpipes... |
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Recording & Filming Sessions
Darrell is no stranger to the entertainment industry and has been featured in recordings and filings for Amazon, Budweiser, California Sound, Capitol Records, Comedy Central, Guinness, CBS, E!, Paramount, and TLC. More about Darrell's recording experience... |
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