Newport News Pipers
Mar-29-2006 20:37 |
Bagpipes
Read more here.
Korff, an 83-year-old Newport News resident with a high energy level and sharp wit, gives free bagpipe lessons. Korff prepares novice pipers for the Newport News Police Pipe and Drum Corps, which performs free at police academy graduations, fund-raisers and funerals of fallen police officers and firefighters.
"We all come together for a common cause," said Thomas Crouch, a detective with the Newport News Police Department. He plays bagpipe in the band and serves as president of the organization. "It's about promoting heritage and culture and honoring the fallen."
But there's a test for students' dedication: They have to train for about two years before they can perform with the band.
They take lessons with Korff for about a year and a half, playing on a practice chanter - a long black instrument similar to a recorder. Then they can advance to the full bagpipes and start practicing with the pipe band. But they must take about four months of lessons before they can perform.
"Whoever sticks with it is obviously dedicated," Crouch said.
[...]
The band consists of eight pipers, five drummers and one drum major. One piper is a retired New York police officer who played in close to 90 funerals after Sept. 11, 2001, he said.
"I think the bagpipes have a way to stir the soul," he said. "Everybody knows 'Amazing Grace' on bagpipes."
He hopes to expand the band to consist of 20 pipers. To achieve that, Korff's lessons are open to anyone with the goal of joining the pipe band. They have to pay $25 annual dues and about $140 for a chanter and music book. And they need to be ready to pay more than $1,000 for a bagpipe from Scotland.
===============================================================================
Korff, an 83-year-old Newport News resident with a high energy level and sharp wit, gives free bagpipe lessons. Korff prepares novice pipers for the Newport News Police Pipe and Drum Corps, which performs free at police academy graduations, fund-raisers and funerals of fallen police officers and firefighters.
"We all come together for a common cause," said Thomas Crouch, a detective with the Newport News Police Department. He plays bagpipe in the band and serves as president of the organization. "It's about promoting heritage and culture and honoring the fallen."
But there's a test for students' dedication: They have to train for about two years before they can perform with the band.
They take lessons with Korff for about a year and a half, playing on a practice chanter - a long black instrument similar to a recorder. Then they can advance to the full bagpipes and start practicing with the pipe band. But they must take about four months of lessons before they can perform.
"Whoever sticks with it is obviously dedicated," Crouch said.
[...]
The band consists of eight pipers, five drummers and one drum major. One piper is a retired New York police officer who played in close to 90 funerals after Sept. 11, 2001, he said.
"I think the bagpipes have a way to stir the soul," he said. "Everybody knows 'Amazing Grace' on bagpipes."
He hopes to expand the band to consist of 20 pipers. To achieve that, Korff's lessons are open to anyone with the goal of joining the pipe band. They have to pay $25 annual dues and about $140 for a chanter and music book. And they need to be ready to pay more than $1,000 for a bagpipe from Scotland.
===============================================================================
|