12/14/2025
Friday night I had the listening pleasure of attending and photographing the concert hosted by Caledonia Pipes And Drums Band. They were joined on stage by the Grand Rapids Police Pipe Band, Wild Heather Celtic Folk Music Band, and members of the Muskegon Regional Police Pipes and Drums to form an outstanding show.
My son started playing bagpipes about 3 years ago, when prompted by his band director. He came home one night after percussion lessons and nonchalantly informed me that he had thought about it, worked it all out, and would be starting bagpipe lessons next as he walked up the steps to his room. It was the first time I had heard anything about it... and obviously had to call him back down, because I had QUESTIONS. š¤£ Fast forward a few years, and now he is preparing to compete in a bagpipe competition with his friend this spring.
If you had told me at any point that I'd be suffering from perma-grin at a bagpipe concert watching my teenage son on stage, I'd have laughed at you. But music is a wonderful gift, and I'm wildly blessed to have kids that have thrown themselves whole heartedly into it.
As the director stated on stage, once you learn to play bagpipes, you can take them just about anywhere in the world and find a group to play with. They are not quite as obscure as one would think. Friday night's concert had pipers and drummers from all over Michigan, of all skill and experience levels. Some players have been playing less than a full year, while others have 40+ years experience.
I do hope this becomes an annual tradition. I look forward to hearing the sounds of pipes and drums for years to come!
