International Bagpipe Day is held annually on March 10. Can you believe that bagpipes date back to 400 B.C., and are thought to have originated from Egypt, with the first players known as pipers of Thebes? Bagpipes are distinct and unique musical instruments that hold a special place in certain parts of Europe, such as Scotland and Ireland.
HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL BAGPIPE DAY
A bagpipe is a type of woodwind instrument that consists of several parts including the air supply blowpipe, the bag, the chanter, the chanter reed, and the drone or drones. The chanter is the melody pipe that can be played by the piper, whereas the drone or drones provide a constant note. It has a long and rich history that dates back to ancient Rome and Egypt.
In the early part of the second millennium, clear evidence of bagpipes began to appear frequently in Western European art and iconography. They were also popular subjects for carvers of wooden choir stalls throughout Europe in the late 15th century and early 16th century.
Andy Letcher and Cassandre Balosso-Bardin co-founded International Bagpipe Day with the International Bagpipe Organization and the Bagpipe Society. Since 1986, the Bagpipe Society has been actively involved in bringing together new bagpipe players in order to preserve the history and practice of bagpipes. Cassandre came up with the idea of organizing a bagpipe conference as part of his efforts to promote the diversity of bagpipes to a wider audience.
The First International Bagpipe Conference, which gathered musicians and instrument makers from all over Europe, launched International Bagpipe Day worldwide. Thousands of pipers around the world now celebrate the day every year, with many local pipers organizing events in places such as Harvard (U.S.), Glasgow (U.K.), Haninge (Sweden), Minsk (Belarus), Iran, and Nigeria.
INTERNATIONAL BAGPIPE DAY ACTIVITIES
Learn to play the bagpipes This is an ideal day to learn how to play the bagpipes. Watch online tutorial videos, or better yet, find an experienced piper willing to put you through your paces. Who knows, you might be on your way to a career as a professional piper!
Listen to songs featuring bagpipes Several songs feature bagpipes as prominent instruments. Enjoy some of them including popular songs such as ‘Come Talk to Me,’ by Peter Gabriel, and Van Morrison’s ‘Celtic Ray.’
Teach others If you’re a bagpiper, this is a great day to teach others about the art form. Take out an hour or two to teach them, and you will feel the joy that comes from helping others learn what you know more than they will.
5 FACTS ABOUT BAGPIPES THAT WILL FASCINATE YOU
Varied in materials of construction They were traditionally made from whole animal skin, often a sheep’s skin, but in modern times, are usually made with artificial fabric such as Gore-Tex.
It was loved by a Roman Emperor The ancient Roman emperor Nero was a notorious piper, who is said to have played the bagpipes as Rome burned
Once an instrument of warfare They were originally used to scare off enemies on the battlefield, and are the only known musical instrument in history to have been used in war.
It is popular in the U.S. These days, bagpiping has become so popular that there are more bagpipe bands in the U.S. than there are in Scotland.
It is symbolic Over the years, the bagpipe has become a symbol of mourning for fallen heroes, especially firefighters and policemen.