COEUR d'ALENE - James Noriega's hands moved swiftly as they traversed the pipes. He tilted his head, closed his eyes and listened with trained ears as he tuned his band mates' drones. Drones are the long tubes that release the gushes of air which become the profound, unmistakable music of a bagpipe.

Pipe major and master tuner Noriega, 36, is among seven pipers and one drummer who comprise the Hot Punch Pipers. It is a collaborative organization of musicians who perform for weddings, funerals, parades, St. Patrick's Day and civic events. The Pipers also compete in highland games, which are celebrations of Scottish and Irish culture.

"We're not really a normal community band," Noriega said. He explained that most of the band members individually studied music, making the Pipers "musicians playing with a group rather than as a pipe band," with "higher goals in terms of music."

Five of the band members were present Thursday for a practice in Cherry Hill Park. Noriega, his wife, Rachel Noriega, 28, his sister, Kristin Stafford, 32, and their mom, Rhonda Noriega, 56, joined Kevin Ellison, 58, to rehearse a number of Scottish Highland songs, such as "Castle Dangerous" and the unofficial Scottish anthem "Scotland the Brave."

The band's name comes from a traditional bagpipe tune, "Hot Punch," even though the band itself is not so traditional.

"We're not a typical pipe band in a lot of respects, so the name reflects that," James said.

The Pipers are unique in how they present themselves, individually and as a band. They are a mesh of musical individuals rather than one collective entity. Their kilts don't necessarily match, but Rhonda is in the process of making some that are green and navy blue. And when they participate in competitions, they enter as soloists.

"I think it's tougher on you, because you walk in front of a judge and you're the only one playing, and he critiques every note," Ellison said. "We're kind glad we're going that way because it just makes you a better piper." Ellison has been playing the bagpipe for three years and had no prior music experience before joining the group.

The Hot Punch Pipers competed in the Biterroot Scottish Irish Festival in Hamilton, Mont., last August. They walked away with 11 medals, including Stafford's "Piper of the Day."

"There (were) some big pipe bands there," Ellison said. "When they gave out the awards, we cleaned up."

The band members credit much of their success to James' impeccable training. He learned to play the bagpipe from private instructors and now teaches lessons himself. His interest was inspiration for his sister to get involved.

"I wanted to do what my big brother did," Stafford said. She said she was about 17 or 18 when she began her bagpiping experience. "It looked like fun, and it was. One of the few things in life I've stuck with."

The bagpipes also served as the spark that connected James and Rachel.

"I heard him piping and went and said hi, and that's kind of the last of it," Rachel said. They met on the North Idaho College campus her first year in college. Rachel speaks some Scottish Gaelic, which is handy for reading traditional Scottish names, music and bagpipe finger positions.

James said playing the bagpipe is physically demanding and takes endurance.

"It's like swimming. Once you learn how to do it properly it's not hard, but getting there is not the easiest," James said.

"If you do it every day, then you build up the endurance," Stafford piped up. "Then you learn how to breathe better and it gets a little easier." She explained that practice is important, and even setting the pipes down for a week can leave a piper gasping for breath.

This marks the second year the Hot Punch Pipers will march in Coeur d'Alene's Fourth of July parade. The band will perform in the Hayden Days and Post Falls Days parades. The Pipers naturally were very busy St. Patrick's Day, when they played in Spokane's parade, for the Spokane Valley Highland Dancers and in various local pubs.

James offers lessons for $15. Contact him at (208) 964-1589. For information about the Hot Punch Pipers, visit http://www.hotpunchpipers.com.