Members of the Emergency Service Pipes & Drums Association, a nonprofit band composed of musically inclined firefighters, police officers and emergency medical professionals from throughout the state, readily admit that the sound of the Highland bagpipes is not universally loved. But Andr de la Reza, a fire specialist with the Austin Fire Department and ESPADA treasurer, remembers when he fell in love with the funny-looking instrument.

"When I was going to college at [The University of Texas], I would sit there and listen to someone practice about two to three times a week. I never laid eyes on them, and I never tracked them down," he recalled.

Many of the group's members have similar experiences, and this, as well as a commitment to tradition, are what they said drove them to join the band, which was formed six years ago primarily by members of the Austin police and fire departments.

ESPADA performs at cadet graduation ceremonies, parades and other community events. They will even go to bars on Sixth Street in full Scottish regalia and play on tabletops to raise money—an exercise in balance and not letting anyone see up their kilts.

But foremost, their job is to march with the hearse and play "Amazing Grace" at the funerals of public safety workers, emergency personnel on active duty as well as retiree funerals.

"The honor guard as a whole, but the pipes in particular, provide order to a very chaotic situation—a death, a tragedy," said Todd Bircher, a detective with the APD who serves as the pipe major, or musical leader of the band. "A widow or even children will say that when we play 'Amazing Grace' and walk off into the distance, it's like we are actually walking their loved one to the gates. That is our service."

Their service is also to the community. Last year, the organization helped raise nearly $100,000 for St. Baldrick's Foundation, which supports research to cure childhood cancers.

"People ask me if I am Scottish, and I say, 'No, I'm a firefighter.' That's just as good of an answer. We have just as much of a connection," said Jeff Davis, battalion chief at the Georgetown Fire Department and pipe major of the GFD pipe band.

Indeed, emergency service organizations have a long history of having bagpipers and drummers play at funerals of fallen public safety personnel, a tradition brought over by Scottish and Irish immigrants in the 19th century.

Many of the members credit their significant others for the band's growth and success because they put up with the sound of beginners rehearsing from home, which Matt Greer, an APD sergeant, said often sends his dog running.

"Sometimes I think, 'If I went the rest of my life without hearing a bagpipe, I would be fine with that.' But this is so important to all of them, and that's why we support it," said Kristi Kessler, who is married to founding member Coitt Kessler, an Austin firefighter.

Kristi, like some of the other spouses, is part of the organization as a nonperforming member and helps raise funds, which are needed to purchase the uniforms and pay for travel to competitions.

In September, the smaller competition band composed of eight members will travel to Estes Park, Colo., to compete against 12 other bands. Next year, their goal is to compete in Canada, and after that, Scotland.

It's very unique having a public safety band compete, Bircher said. He estimates that only two to four in the nation do so.

"My view of competition is the better I play in competition, the better I play 'Amazing Grace,'" Bircher said. "It's not just to go compete and have fun, it's also to improve the band's musicianship."