Miami University students showed their Irish pride this week as they celebrated St. Patrick's Day March 17, yet for one student organization on campus, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of another United Kingdom country has become a year-round goal.
Highland Pipes and Drums formed to promote the cultural heritage of Scotland, primarily by playing bagpipes and drums. It was active from the 1980s to the early 1990s, but was not seen again on campus until junior Sarah Day revived the organization in 2007.
"When I came to Miami, I was disappointed that there wasn't anywhere to play bagpipes on campus," Day said. "When I found out that this group had existed, I got excited and started looking into bringing it back."
According to Day, she updated the existing constitution and reactivated the group to create an outlet on campus for her to continue playing the bagpipes and for other students to learn how to play and perform.
Day said a bagpipe band includes bass, snare and tenor drums. Playing the tenor drums involves flourishing and spinning the sticks, Day said.
"It adds a cool visual element," Day said.
Day said the group has weekly practices and performs at campus and community events such as Relay for Life, the Homecoming parade and Kid's Weekend.
"We also played at a fraternity for their Highland-themed party," Day said.
In addition to sharing Scottish culture through playing traditional military marches and folk music, Day said the group performs in traditional Scottish military clothing. They have tried to make their costumes as accurate as possible and have adopted a signature tartan, or plaid pattern.
"Tartans are like a flag because they represent a clan or family group," Day said.
The Highland Pipes and Drums wears the Armstrong tartan displayed on their kilts, according to Day.
"They wear shoes under their kilts," Day said.
The group has around 10 members with a range of skill levels. Day began playing the bagpipes five years ago, admitting that at first she knew almost nothing about them.
"I'm not Scottish or anything," Day said. "I just liked the way they sound!"
In addition to serving as president of Highland Pipes and Drums, Day said she has been a member of a bagpipe band in her hometown of Gahanna, Ohio, for the past five years.
Day said novice members are provided with a recorder-like instrument called a practice chanter that is used to learn melodies and practice technique.
The chanter is used so that beginners aren't overwhelmed by having to worry about the bag and the drones, which are the long pipes that give the instrument its characteristic buzzing sound, Day said.
"It takes about a year of practice to get to the actual bagpipes," Day said.
During group practice, Day said members are broken into two skill groups so that beginners can get extra instruction.
Sophomore William Dory was one of 12 members who were beginners last year. Dory said he has now become a performing member.
"My favorite part is learning the new music and helping the new members," Dory said.
In April, the group is scheduled to perform at the Oxford Presbyterian Church and Relay for Life. Day said the group is also planning a "Night in the Scottish Highlands" featuring Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes to raise awareness about Scottish traditions.
The performing members will be showing off their skills Saturday at the Celtic Arts Festival in Fairfield.
