The Children’s Music Workshop provides some great information about the benefits of music education for youth.  The full article is here>>, but there were some key points I wanted to point out as our youth music organization works hard to prepare for our upcoming fundraiser on May 8th.  Click the flyer to the left to visit our homepage and purchase tickets. 

The article lists four areas where music education provides benefits.  It leads to Success in society, school, intelligence and life. 

Success in Society:  studies have shown that secondary school students who participated in band or orchestra report the lowest lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs.  It has a noticable impact on reducing teen violence.  Music study is credited with broadining understanding and appreciation of the world around you and stimulate and contribute to intellectual development.   The College Board in New York lists the arts as one of the six basic academic subject areas students should study in order to succeed in college.  Most of the very best engineers and technical designers in the Silicon Valley industry area are, nearly without exception, also practicing musicians.

Success in School:  Success in school leads to success in society.  Learning music builds study skills, communication and cognitive skills.  Through participation in ensembles, students learn to work effectively in the school environment without resorting to violence or inappropriate behavior.  Music education leads to significantly higher levels of mathematics proficency, regardless of the student’s socio-economic status.  66% of music majors applying to medical school were accepted; the highest of any group; for example: 44% of biochemistry majors were accepted.  More high school students identify music teachers as role models than any other kind of teacher, and finally; students who participate in arts programs have shown significant increases in self-esteem and thinking skills.

Success in Developing Intelligence: 

Music training enhances brain function and fine motor skills.  The constant adjustments made for tone, tempo, style, rhythim, phrasing and feeling train the brain to organize quickly and multi-task.  Abstract reasoning skills (the skills needed to learn math and science) are dramatically enhanced through studying music.  Spatial-Temporal skills have repeatedly been shown to improve through even the simplest of music study.  Overall “self-concept” was significantly increased in at risk children who participated in music and the arts.

Success in Life:

See this blog post from Andrew Bertoff, publisher of Pipes|Drums magazine: Credit Piping for a very interesting reflection on the important role of bagpiping in his life.  Everyone wants their children to flourish in life, school, work, and most of us want all children to flourish in these as well.  Participation in music brings countless psychological, physical and spritual benefits, encouraging self-discipline and diligence, bringing people together and more. For bagpipers and drummers, Facebook and other social networking mediums are really opening up the whole world to our youth to meet people with their interests, and many of our members are connected to some of the most talented musicians in the world in this way as well as at the various camps and highland games we attend.  They are learning of all the places they could go in this world, they would very likely be able to find someone interested in bagpiping, or a bagpipe band to play with, and they will always be able to find someone interested in music to connect with.

Music fills us with wonder, helps us stay healthy longer, and improves our communication, creativity, and cooperation skills.   

Northwest Junior Pipe Band raises the funds necessary to continue our program through performances, competitions, and fundraisers.  The May 8th 15 year Anniversary party at Lynnwood Convention Center is the most important and largest fundraiser in the band’s history.  We recognize that we are all stretching our dollars farther and farther to get by, but we hope you can agree that this is a very important part of providing our youth a valuable foundation in their lives.

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We found this video on IrishClub.org that has shots of almost every entry in the 2010 St. Patrick’s Day parade, including NWJPB. Thanks Irish Club of Seattle and Laura (Cosacchi) Adams Guy!

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There were several incredible stories we followed during our Scotland trip in 2008:

1. Our own experiences winning two first place trophies at Perth and Crieff and 5th in the World
2. SFU winning the World Championships for the 5th time, as well as best drum corps
3. Besides SFU, there were three pipe bands from the Northwest and BC including NWJPB, the Keith Highlanders AND the White Spot Pipe Bands; taking on the worlds and placing in the top 6
4. The story of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band.   

This band included top soloists and instructors from all over the world who were not competing in bands.  Several of those performers come from the Pacific Northwest / BC area.  Now, a very talented documentary film maker is nearing completion of a story about the band, the obstacles they overcame to compete with the top bands in the world, make it through the qualifier round and ultimately win an incredibly respectable 11th place.  NWJPB made a small donation to help John finish this important project, and we encourage our supporters to do the same.  

Music, Piping and Drumming can be an incredibly healthy and meaningful activity for youth, and the more opportunities there are for people to become familiar with the superstars of piping and drumming, the more youth will consider this a reasonable option.  Please check out the press release introducing you to John McDonald, the project, and please consider donating to the cause.  Help us help John bring stories like this into the mainstream!

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Ken Yiesly in his Piping Live! 2008 T-shirt shows off his silver Bagpipes

NWJPB is an extended family.  This story celebrates the life and history of NWJPB Grandparents celebrating their 52nd anniversary, and pays a lot of attention to bagpipes, and the experiences of a couple of NWJPB members on our recent trip to the World Pipe Band Championships, 2008.  A brief excerpt from the story:

Ken was able to retire from the military shortly after in 1975 and the family was finally able to put down roots. 

To mark the occasion, Mieko bought him a set of silver bagpipes, his favorite instrument since childhood. 

“That’s all he wanted, the nut,” Mieko said. “But he’s my nut.”

Congratulations to Ken and Mieko on your 52 years!

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We found this video after our return from Scotland.  We’ll continue searching for video, pictures and stories, because one thing about our trip to Scotland that has many of our members eager to go back again, was the welcoming attitude and the warm, open arms the people of Glasgow, Perth, North Berwick, and Crieff, the Piping Live! Festival organizers, and the RSPBA and the organizers of the World Championship events showed us on our first visit to Scotland.  Passers-by were talking about the band’s talent and using phrases like “I thought they were Scots,” reporters, photographers, and the BBC seemed to be watching us at every event, and we were often asked to pose for photos. 

The Evening Times / The Herald published this video on YouTube, which featured NWJPB performing in George Square as the opener to the story about the week long Piping Live! festival.

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Last year, pipers in NWJPB, their parents, and pipers around the world were teased by the idea of a video game featuring bagpipes. It certainly got people in our community talking…and a bit disappointed to discover it was a joke.

Here’s a video:

Well, this one isn’t a joke.  Nintendo is coming out with “Wii music” where you can choose from up to 60 instruments.  Among those are the bagpipes.  Check out the GameSpot article.  You play the pipes by holding the remote upward and pressing the “1 and 2 buttons”.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any pictures of the game with a bagpiper, but it sounds like it could be fun.

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5/3 Update:  Sold Out!  

Click Here for the 2009 event info>>

Northwest Junior Pipe Band members are building a new future and history of competitive youth pipe bands in Washington State. They have worked feverishly over the last year to raise over $24,000.00 to travel to Scotland while honing their skills to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships this August.  With less than $10,000 to reach their goal and fly to Scotland in August, the band can almost hear the crowds at Glasgow Green urging them toward the finish line.

The community is helping these prize winning young musicians join 200 bands from all over the world in Scotland this August.  Help them meet their goals by attending a benefit dinner with entertainment, dancing, drink and auctions.

Entertainment will include Northwest Junior Pipe Band, Pipers’ Creek Celtic Ensemble, Scottish Dancing, the Bucketmen and more to be announced. The Northwest Junior Pipe Band has grown to nearly 50 members and started new educational and scholarship programs, reaching out to youth who want to have unique and incredible experiences, while learning to play their traditional instruments to the highest standards.

Act quickly for reserved seating by purchasing a table of 8 for $280.00 until April 30^th.

Northwest Junior Pipe Band “Mothers’ Day Eve” Ceilidh/Party Benefit Dinner
Saturday, May 10^th, 2008
Lake City Elks Club, 14540 Lake City Way NE, Seattle
Doors open for auction 5:30, dinner and entertainment starts 6:30
Silent Auction, Dessert Auction
38.00 adult, 33.00 17 and under
Tables of 8: $280.00 until April 30th, $304 after.
Italian Chicken or Lasagna dinner, with salad, bread, and non-alcoholic beverages.
No-host bar.
Entertainment includes dancing, Northwest Junior Pipe Band and Pipers’ Creek Celtic Ensemble.

Table and half table purchases will receive reserved seating.
email concert@nwjpb.org for more info, or call 206-508-1261

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This is compiled from a ton of responses to questions pipers and drummers receive, many of which are funny to those that are immersed in and committed to piping and drumming, and surround themselves with the unique community that devotes itself to the Scottish arts.  However, in most cases, they speak to the ignorance and lack of understanding about bagpipes and drums.  Sometimes they just speak to a human desire to be “in” or “have the inside track”…most of these cases are just funny. 

We recognize though, that as bagpipes gain popularity, more and more people are curious about the instrument, history, expectations, commitment and challenges.  While many of the stories are funny…often it just illustrates how much work organizations like ours need to do to educate the public about our art.  The original discussion thread is from the “Beer Tent” section of Bob Dunsire Forums, a growing discussion board and community of more than 10,000 pipers, drummers, and celtic music and arts fans around the world.  See the discussion likely continuing to grow here>>

“Do you have to be Scottish to play Bagpipes?”

Often, this comes in the form of a statement:  “Only Scottish people can play bagpipes properly” or “you must be Scottish”.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  One of the motivations for many people who start out definitely IS to learn something or get “in touch” with their heritage.  But there are literally thousands of people who play bagpipes or Scottish drums from all over the world.  Northwest Junior Pipe Band encourages youth of any background to come and find out what all the fun is about.  There are bagpipe bands and bagpipers in hundreds of countries from Australia to Mexico (we had a new member join our Grade 5 band this year after learning to play pipes in Mexico), Asia to the Netherlands.  Bagpipes are an acquired taste for many, but there is no cultural background requirement to love them.

“Are you a Bagger…do you play the Pipe Organ?”

This is just a classic example of confusion or lack of familiarity with the instrument.  They’re Bagpipes, and “baggers” are usually people that work in grocery stores.  Pipe Organs are a similar concept (as are many wind based instruments)…but definitely not nearly as portable as a set of bagpipes.  Piper, Bagpiper, Highland Piper…those are the most commonly accepted terms.    We’re not a “Bag Band”, but “Pipe Band” is ok!

On the lack of understanding about the difficulty and commitment necessary to play bagpipes. From “pancelticpiper”

Sometimes, the questions highlight the impact of our “instant gratification” culture.  Learning the bagpipe, the Scottish drums, the variety of unique folk, dance, classical and historical music that we’re devoted to takes significant dedication.

Two stories, both of which really highlight that NO musical instrument can “just be played” without a serious time investment, and that the value of a talented bagpipe performance is often misunderstood:

A woman calls seeking a piper to play around 20 minutes at her event. I tell her the fee is $150.
She was incredulous but didn’t skip a beat, immediately coming back with “So how much do you charge for bagpipe lessons?”
I tell her $25 per lesson.
“So tell you what: I’ll take one lesson, rent a bagpipe for a few dollars, and do the playing myself!”

…her event did not feature bagpipe music.

I got a call from the “property master” of the Ellen show. He explained that Ellen begins each show with some bit of schtick, and her idea for one show was to march in playing the bagpipes.

This guy was surprisingly knowing in that he realised that if he rented a bagpipe from a Hollywood prop house it wouldn’t be in playing condition. He knew that he had to rent a bagpipe which was currently “set up” and played.

He actually told me “Ellen wants you to show me how to play them, then I can show her.”

So I show up (with a contract which stipulates that they must reimburse me for any damage to the pipes) and I give a quick demo to the propery master of how to play the pipes. He watched me in a serious, focused way… then said “I think you’ll have to show Ellen yourself.”

…her program did not feature bagpipe music.

On “Laws” about what Kilt or Tartan one can wear.

People often believe (or claim) there are rules or laws about wearing highland dress. Nobody has ever identified a law on paper that prevents you from wearing the tartan of a specified clan. In many cases, people wear the “tartan” of their ancestry, but the “Tartan Police” will not track you down and fine you if you just choose a tartan that you like. The only recommendation is to get a quality kilt and dress from a vendor that cares about the history and importance of the clothing. Our pipe band this needs to spend nearly $10,000.00 on uniforms for new members. Expect to spend a minimum of $500.00 for a good kilt. With that, add 100 for the belt, 100 for the Sporran, 30 for acceptable hose (socks), 125 for “Ghillie Brogues” (shoes), and around 300.00 if you want a traditional Argyle or Prince Charlie jacket.

If you’re paying over $1200.00 for traditional Scottish dress, you’ve earned the right to create your own traditions and wear something you like without fear of the Secret Tartan Police tracking you down. 

“You can tune those things?”

Yes, absolutely.  Pipe bands spend a significant amount of time tuning the three different drones on each bagpipe to sound exactly the same (3 drones times 10 pipers in a band…30 independent sounds to be tuned together) and the “chanter”…the part of the bagpipe that actually makes the music.  There are 9 notes on the chanter.  Tape is very often used to make the finger holes smaller, raising the pitch, or opened up more lowering the pitch.  The position, design, material and temperature of the reed the wind blows through can affect the tuning as well.  I like to believe that many people who claim not to like bagpipes have never heard a well-tuned and talented bagpiper or pipe band perform.

“Why are you wearing earplugs?”

Bagpipes can reach 116 decibels, about the level of a chainsaw.  For performers in Northwest Junior Pipe Band, earplugs are mandatory at practices and performances.

“Can you turn those down?” Thanks to “Janelle, aka Tenor Granny”

Basically, no.  The Great Highland Bagpipe and Highland Snare are designed to be loud.  They’re designed for outdoor play, and there’s no volume adjustment.  However, there are “indoor” bagpipes designed for “tolerable” levels; shuttle pipes, small pipes, kitchen pipes, and other options.  Many pipers have a set of each. 

Concert Organiser ” We are going to use our own sound man and system today, because last time you were here some of our older audience found you were too loud”
Piper “We didn’t use the microphones last time and we won’t this time”
Concert Organises “Oh! Can you turn them down then please?”
Piper “No, we can’t turn them down”
Organiser “But you’ll have to. They really are too loud.
Pipe Major steps in and says ” Don’t worry, we’ll play softer”
After we had played, Concert Organiser “Thank you that was much better than last time”

“Do all Scottish Drummers play Bagpipes?”

This is by far my favorite interaction from the discussion; admittedly cobbled together over a variety of conversations…but sometimes when we don’t hear the answer we expect from someone, it takes a while to sink in. Other times, the person answering the questions changes his “tune”. Thanks to Cliff Davis, Bass Drummer.

Seemingly nice person making conversation: “Do you have any hobbies?”

“I play the bass drum in a pipe band.”

“I love the fife, I saw a group at a Revolutionary War exhibit when I was in Virginia. Is it hard to learn the fife?”

“Actually I meant to say bagpipes and drums. It’s a bagpipe band with drums, and I play the bass drum.”

“Oh I see; how long have you played the bagpipes?”

“Actually, I’m a drummer. I play the bass drum in a pipe band. I’m a lifelong drummer that discovered pipe band about twenty years ago when I was in my thirties. I love pipeband drumming; lots of swing, and it’s some of the coolest drumming around.”

“Is it hard to learn to play the pipes?”

“The bagpipe is a difficult instrument to learn and particularly difficult to master. I think that most students spend at least six months to a year on a practice chanter before they are ready to go on to the bagpipes. But I’m no authority because I’m a drummer.”

“Oh, I see. Do you have to have Scottish blood to wear a plaid skirt and play the bagpipes? Do you get to throw those telephone poles? What do they wear under those skirts? What is the name of that fife song in the Old Spice commercial? And tell me again, how long did you say you’ve been a bagpiper?”

“About ten years.”

 “Are there real songs for those things?”

There are thousands of tunes composed for the Great Highland Bagpipe, and many that “fit” the instrument, but people are still learning about this unique instrument and the types of music they’re capable of.  The challenge of bagpipe music is that there are nine basic notes, without the full range of possibilities available to most instruments.  While some “popular” music can be translated to the bagpipes, many tunes sound unusual if played on pipes.  In addition, there are “Scottish” and “Irish” tune styles or “idioms” that most commonly get written for the highland bagpipe.  Probably the most common are March tunes, designed for parades, events, festivals and celebrations accompanying the troops in or out.  Similar to the “Fife and Drum” corps that you think of in American history…the small “piccollo” or flute marching in front of snare drummers.  There are also a variety of different dance styles including the Strathspey (uniquely Scottish in origin), the Reel, the Jig, the Hornpipe.  One of the most commonly recognized and celebrated tunes for the bagpipe is “Amazing Grace“, a christian hymn, with words originally written by  Englishman John Newton in the 1700′s, but only relatively recently associated with bagpipes…within the past 100 years.  Piobaireachd is the “historic” and “classical” music for bagpipes, with a history going back hundreds of years.

“Where do you put the batteries?”

In your electric tuner?  Bagpipes are purely wind and arm-powered.  It is pretty amazing that so much sound can be produced from human power, but it’s true.  No batteries required, just a lot of breath and arm control.

A word on “manners”

Several commented about people walking up to them while playing and just beginning to ask questions in the middle of a song.  This may be related to the question about whether there are songs written for bagpipes…but it’s hard to know for sure.  When you encounter a musician performing or playing music, just politely wait until they finish playing to ask them.  Most pipers and drummers are happy to answer your questions…but no-one wants to be interrupted when they’re performing or demonstrating a skill that they have invested significant time in building.  If you’re at a Highland Games event and see a man or woman sitting at a table by a performing piper or drummer; listening and writing notes…that’s a competition judge, and you should avoid interupting them as well.

 Other Resources

For one of the most complete set of references answer questions about bagpipes, pipe bands and more, please visit Andrew Lenz’s “Bagpipe Journey” website (prominently linked in our sidebar).  He has a huge collection of reference articles covering everything from anatomy of a bagpipe to finding a good instructor, or finding a bagpipe band to join.  Andrew’s website is an excellent resource for almost anything you want to know about bagpiping.

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Washington State is sending two pipe bands to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships this year; the Keith Highlanders and Northwest Junior Pipe Band.  Northwest Junior Pipe Band is the first youth pipe band from our State ever to attend the World Pipe Band Championships and the first youth band to even travel to Scotland since 1969.  There are a lot of indications that piping and drumming is rapidly gaining popularity. 

See the great article posted in February about piping and drumming in the Northwest here>>

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Shorecrest High School’s Band Program performed “A Long Way to the Top” by AC-DC, and won 1st place, and $10,000.00 for their band program.  NWJPB Band Director Kevin Auld leads the Shorecrest Pipers in the band, and members of NWJPB were invited to perform on stage with the band and “Spike and the Impalers” at a December “Twisted Christmas” event.

Congratulations to a great music program!  Thanks to The Rock Wood Fired Pizza for sponsoring the contest.

Hear a Podcast of the winners being announced.

See and hear all of the entries at the School of the Rock Contest homepage.

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