10/07/2024
For quite some time now, life has felt like a hamster wheel. It’s not all a bad thing. A large part of how busy I am, is due to being buried in pipe making projects, which of course I love.
I don’t have time to sit and reflect very often. But, today I paused long enough to think back to a couple of very early “pivotal” moments in my piping life.
Many of you have heard this story from me before. My road to becoming a piper began with a birthday present given to my older brother Glenn. A unique gift from one of his friends. The gift was a record entitled “Farewell to the Greys”.
This record, as many of you know, is responsible for the majority of the world’s non-piping population thinking that the Great Highland Bagpipe was invented for the sole purpose of playing “Amazing Grace”.
While the tune is despised by many pipers, I do not share that negative opinion. I heard this recording at six years old and fell deeply in love with the sound of the Great Highland Pipe because of that record and in particular, that track.
So began my NEED to become a piper.
Not long after this introduction to the pipes, probably within the same year, there was another pivotal moment that would play a part in shaping my future.
My parents were kind enough to cultivate my newfound interest in the pipes. They discovered an advertisement in the “Edmonton Journal” about a “Highland Games” that was being held the following weekend at Louis St Laurent High School in south Edmonton. This Highland Games, of course, included piping and drumming contests.
My folks worked taking me to this event into their Saturday plans. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the school, there was some confusion because the field behind the school was empty. It had been raining that day and it turns out the event had been moved indoors in the school Gymnasium. Also, apparently the newspaper ad was misleading about the times. By the time we found where we wanted to be, everyone was packing up and going home.
I was devastated. Fighting back tears. My Dad approached a gentleman who, with pipe case in hand, was headed for the door. Dad convinced him to take his pipes out and play me a tune.
I remember this fellow being a big man in all aspects. He was at least my Dad’s height, who was six feet tall. He was also quite stout. He was bearded with a good deal of grey streaks in his beard and on his head. He was wearing a balmoral.
What struck me next, however, was his pipes, which, as they came out of the case, were fully clad in engraved sterling silver. They were magnificent. My parents were both marvelling at the pipes being covered in precious metal.
This fellow, of course, played “Amazing Grace” for me. He played it beautifully.
So in the span of less than a year, I had fallen in love with the sound of the Great Highland Bagpipe, and before I ever held a practice chanter, I had been made acutely aware that not all bagpipes were created equal.
The second seed had been planted. Though it would grow much more slowly than the first.
Within three years, I had received some lessons, and was allowed to become the Edmonton Boys Pipe Band’s “shrimpiest ” ten year old member.
As a member of the band, I attended many parades and contests. I had the opportunity to see many adult pipers in the numerous pipe bands in Edmonton and other parts of Alberta.
I don’t recall ever spotting the kind gentleman who played for me that day at the high school. I expect that as I am likely the same age, or even older, than this fellow was at the time. He has probably departed this Earth.
To this gentleman, wherever you are, I thank you. Your kindly agreeing to give a few extra minutes of your time, influenced me in ways that I’m sure you would have never imagined.
