nine notes. The bagpipes that everyone associates with Scotland are
actually properly called the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Balderose, who offers private instruction and has played for
concerts, weddings, funerals and community events for over 35 years,
says that one of the toughest parts of learning to play is controlling
the air flow of the pipe, once a student graduates to the bagpipe.
“Students begin learning with a practice chanter,” explains Balderose,
which resembles an oboe and requires much less air support. (Parents
should also take note that it is much quieter than the Great Highland
Bagpipe!) He estimates that a purchase of the Highland Bagpipe
will set you back about $1,000. A practice chanter, however, can be
purchased for around $100. This is a much smaller investment that
affords new students the chance to see if they enjoy playing the pipe.
Another traditional bagpiping group in our area with a lot of
longevity is The MacDonald Pipe Band, based in Bethel Park. Formed
in 1966 by the members of the Carnegie Tech University Pipe Band,
this nonprofit organization encourages both new and experienced
pipers in the art, and performs at several annual functions. They
have even been the opening act for Scottish rocker Rod Stewart and
performed for HRH Prince Charles!
They are likely to turn up at any local function related to Scottish
heritage, including the annual Ligonier Highland Games held in
September where men hurl telephone poles (known as the caber toss)
in addition to several other events involving Scottish music, dance and
cuisine. They are frequent performers at Burns Dinners held around
Jan. 25 of each year in honor of the legendary Scottish poet, Robert
➤ For more information on The MacDonald Pipe Band, visit
macdonaldpipeband.net. They are also on Facebook.
Burns. The dinners usually include poetry readings, Scottish country
dancing and lots of bagpipes.
According to Nicholas Hudson, an instructor with The MacDonald
Pipe Band who holds a performance degree in bagpiping from
Carnegie Mellon, there seems to be a worldwide surge of interest in
the instrument. Hudson also gives private lessons both in person and
via Skype. His students have contacted him for online lessons from as
far away as India and Qatar.
Hudson began playing at the age of 13 because he was fascinated
with the sound of the instrument. Though he has a Scots-Irish
background, his love for the music itself came first, with the
appreciation for the cultural aspects arriving later.
“I find that to be the case with many of my students,” says Hudson.
“The younger students just like the sound of the bagpipes and want
to learn, while older students tend to begin studying because they are
interested in the history and ancestral connections. But eventually
both groups learn to appreciate both the music and the background,
and sort of meet in the middle.”
Another opportunity for pipers to learn is an Open Mic Night held
exclusively for pipers at Café Sam in Shadyside. Pipers have been
coming from as far away as Toronto and Washington, D.C., for an
opportunity to connect and play with other pipers.
“The rich tradition and grassroots support of the pipes in Pittsburgh
has convinced me that the bagpipe and its music should be an
important piece of the identity of this region,” says Balderose. So the
next time you hear a piper playing his tune, instead of Scotland you
may think of Pittsburgh. ■
➤ For more information on the Balmoral School
of Piping and Drumming, visit bagpiping.org.
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