Hoosick Grange News – Bagpiping

It was covered dish supper night at Hoosick Grange on November 14. It was also an open meeting night. We had a delicious supper and a surprise anniversary, cake and flowers for the Philpotts. After the supper there was no business meeting.
The Lecturer introduced Doreen Forney. Doreen teaches bagpiping and has been playing for 26 years. Doreen plays with the Berkshire Highlanders in Pittsfield, MA. She was dressed in Scottish clothes from head to toe. She had on a kilt, hat, knee socks and shoes. The kilt was a special plaid, and her shoes were “Ghillie brogues.” She had a silver sporran around her waist, similar to a pocketbook. At the top of her socks she had a dark knife and a little tattoo about 1 inch square.
Doreen took her bagpipe and explained each part. The chanter is the part that they practice on in the beginning. It has only nine notes on it. They memorize all their music pieces; that’s why you never see music sheets in a parade. She had a set of small pipes and a bellows she played for us. Their music goes along very nicely with other instruments. She showed us the Great Highland Bagpipes and told us they sell for thousands of dollars. This is a very early instrument that goes back to the era of Rome and France and Italy. She played “Scotland Brave” that was very loud and lovely. The long black thing was called a drone and was the bass. The other ones were called tenor drones. They have to be tuned. The bag was made of Gortex. In earlier times they were made of sheepskin. She showed us the reeds in the chanter and said real good ones are very expensive. If the bag is cold, the drones could crack. She played a Chantory piece. This is played at weddings and funerals. There is no beat to this type of music. In very early times the clan chiefs had pipers play to rally the people. For a closing, Doreen played “Amazing Grace.” The audience had a chance for questions. The Lecturer thanked Doreen for a most enjoyable program.
Our next meeting is on December 12 at 7:30 and is open to everyone. We will be having the Mennonites Singers. Invite family and friends. Grangers are to bring cookies and etc.