PIPES TO WAIL WORLDWIDE FOR WEE WAINS
By Brooke Adams, Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, March 23, 1996 12:00 a.m. MST
Bagpipes around the world will wail April 13 in a musical homage to victims of the Dunblane massacre.
Birgit Gonzalez, a student at Binghamton University in New York, suggested on the Internet newsgroup (rec.music.makers.bagpipe) that pipers play a lament for the victims of the tragic massacre. Gonzalez lived for a year in Scotland and attended Dunblane Primary School, where 16 children and a teacher died March 14.Perhaps, she said in her post, they should all pick up their pipes and play the same tune all over the world. The idea spread through cyberspace as pipers quickly embraced the idea.
From the Delaware Valley in Philadelphia to the Southern Oregon Scottish Pipe Band to Canada, pipers signed on to participate in what is being called "Pipers Around the World."
On that Saturday at noon in each time zone, the pipers have agreed to play "Amazing Grace" in memory of the kindergarten students and their teacher. They'll read the victims' names and then contribute other musical laments to express sorrow and solidarity with the people of Dunblane.
On Friday, Utah pipers began making plans to participate in the memorial. As many as 100 pipers and drummers are expected to participate in the memorial, according to Jeff Mann, secretary of the Western United States Pipe Band Association and manager of the Utah Pipe Band.
"We have contacted the five pipe bands that play in Utah, and everybody is really ready and willing to play in a massed band," Mann said. Utah pipers may read Scottish poems during their hour-long program and also plan to close by asking the audience to sing as "Amazing Grace" closes the service.
A location has not yet been selected, though the group plans to ask the Salt Lake County Commission if Abravanel Hall is available, Mann said.
"All over the world, for 24 hours, there will be bagpipes playing in honor of the teacher and the children," said Garry Bryant, a trustee for the Utah Scottish Association and historian for the St. Andrew's Society of Utah.
The town of Dunblane has been in mourning since Thomas Watt Hamilton stormed through the school April 14 and opened fire on children gathered in a school gym. Hamilton, whom police described as a disgruntled youth worker, then killed himself.
People around the world have sent flowers, cards, stuffed animals and toys to Dunblane to express sorrow over the small town's loss. Donations can be sent to the Dunblane Primary PTA School Board Fund at the Bank of Scotland, 63 High Street, Dunblane, Central, FK15 OEJ.
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company | All rights reserved
By Brooke Adams, Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, March 23, 1996 12:00 a.m. MST
Bagpipes around the world will wail April 13 in a musical homage to victims of the Dunblane massacre.
Birgit Gonzalez, a student at Binghamton University in New York, suggested on the Internet newsgroup (rec.music.makers.bagpipe) that pipers play a lament for the victims of the tragic massacre. Gonzalez lived for a year in Scotland and attended Dunblane Primary School, where 16 children and a teacher died March 14.Perhaps, she said in her post, they should all pick up their pipes and play the same tune all over the world. The idea spread through cyberspace as pipers quickly embraced the idea.
From the Delaware Valley in Philadelphia to the Southern Oregon Scottish Pipe Band to Canada, pipers signed on to participate in what is being called "Pipers Around the World."
On that Saturday at noon in each time zone, the pipers have agreed to play "Amazing Grace" in memory of the kindergarten students and their teacher. They'll read the victims' names and then contribute other musical laments to express sorrow and solidarity with the people of Dunblane.
On Friday, Utah pipers began making plans to participate in the memorial. As many as 100 pipers and drummers are expected to participate in the memorial, according to Jeff Mann, secretary of the Western United States Pipe Band Association and manager of the Utah Pipe Band.
"We have contacted the five pipe bands that play in Utah, and everybody is really ready and willing to play in a massed band," Mann said. Utah pipers may read Scottish poems during their hour-long program and also plan to close by asking the audience to sing as "Amazing Grace" closes the service.
A location has not yet been selected, though the group plans to ask the Salt Lake County Commission if Abravanel Hall is available, Mann said.
"All over the world, for 24 hours, there will be bagpipes playing in honor of the teacher and the children," said Garry Bryant, a trustee for the Utah Scottish Association and historian for the St. Andrew's Society of Utah.
The town of Dunblane has been in mourning since Thomas Watt Hamilton stormed through the school April 14 and opened fire on children gathered in a school gym. Hamilton, whom police described as a disgruntled youth worker, then killed himself.
People around the world have sent flowers, cards, stuffed animals and toys to Dunblane to express sorrow over the small town's loss. Donations can be sent to the Dunblane Primary PTA School Board Fund at the Bank of Scotland, 63 High Street, Dunblane, Central, FK15 OEJ.
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company | All rights reserved
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