Piping club is more than just plaid
Not many students at Utah State University know there is a Bagpipe Club. It is a small, yet talented group of students that came together from various parts of the country to play a very special type of music.
The Bagpipe Club was formed in January 2002 by the current president, Lisa Christensen, a graduate student majoring in speech and language pathology.
“There were several of us who wanted to unite and do performances for the community, and to help educate others who wanted to play,” Christensen said.
Shannon Adanson, a junior majoring in interior design and the club’s secretary, has played for three and one-half years.
“I had seen my high school band playing and was always enchanted with the instrument and decided to learn to play,” Adanson said.
There are two factions of the club at USU.
The first is the Scattered Shamrocks, which is the group that actually plays at events and gatherings. They are a community oriented band made up of eight students. Each has his own kilt – the traditional Scottish outfit. And each kilt pattern has its own significance.
The second half of the Bagpipe Club includes students who are interested in the Scottish culture or just learning to play the bagpipe. Currently, there are 13 students learning to play, and each may eventually be able to play with the Scattered Shamrocks.
Beginning students do not start out on a full set of bagpipes. Initially they use an instrument called a chanter, which resembles a flute. They do this to learn fingering, notes and all the basics.
“We do monthly chanter sessions and the number of students vary at each practice,” Adanson said. “But we always welcome more students.
The Scattered Shamrocks have played at many different occasions throughout the state. They played in the homecoming parade last year and plan to do so again this year. They have played on campus on A-day, the HASS Marathon, and Earth Day. They also perform at the Ellen Eccles Theatre for Celtic Night. They can be seen at weddings and funerals and are always busy during St. Patrick’s Day. The club’s fame has also carried them to Ogden and Jackson Hole to perform.
Camille Brunson, a junior majoring in speech communications, and vice president for the club, said she is always excited when the band gets together to play.
“It’s always fun to go out into the community and see people’s reactions,” she said.
Unknown to many, the bagpipe originated in the middle east, but it was Scotland that made it famous. The national instrument of Scotland is actually a harp.
The bagpipe was used as a war instrument. It is loud and can be easily heard across a battlefield. The songs the pipers would play had special meaning. They could be used to rouse men’s courage and summon them to fight, to announce to the enemy that they were coming, or that they were victorious. It was also used to signify the end of a battle, either in retreat or loss.Feech Ed 9/21/02 needs attribution on a couple of these paragraphs…I will get it.
Those interested in playing or learning more about the Bagpipe Club can contact Lisa Christensen at lkc@cc.usu.edu or Shannon Adanson at shannona@cc.usu.edu.
“It gives people a great opportunity,” Brunson said . “If there’s anyone out there who wants to play, just go out and do it.