From the chanter to Canada

THE bagpipes are taking ten-year-old Angus Le Marshall around the world.

Just home from a trip playing at the Royal New Zealand Pipe Bands’ Summer School in Wellington, he’s glancing ahead to another overseas opportunity.

Meeting new buddies, giving his best and excelling in Wellington, international tutors were impressed with Angus.

He was awarded one of only three scholarships to the 2021 Piping Hot Summer Camp in British Columbia as a celebration of his talent and reward for his efforts.

“It’s going to be a big workshop, a bit like New Zealand,” he said. “There’ll be lots of good tutors there and they’ll have concerts.

“I’ll make some friends there, so that’s what I’m excited about.”

A member of the Ballarat Grammar, and Federation University Pipe Bands, Angus was originally introduced to the challenging instrument by someone close.

“My grandpa has played the bagpipes for a long time and his dad played the bagpipes, so when I was little I wanted to play,” he said.

“I started playing the chanter when I was five, and then I got to seven and had the goose for two years before the bagpipes.

“It feels good to have the tradition go on.”

Having developed a passion, and a unique aerobic stamina, picking up the pipes is a joy for Angus, whether he’s playing solo or in a team environment.

“Usually people don’t get to see a ten-year-old play the bagpipes, so people feel happy when they see it, so I feel happy.

“I can play for a pretty long time without stopping,” he said.

Recently performing on the Golden City Paddle Steamer during SpringFest, Angus can often be spotted busking around town, but he has a bigger gig on the horizon.

The Ballarat Highland Gathering is set for Victoria Park on Sunday, 23 February.

“People come from all around Victoria and Australia. There’s highland dancing, bagpipe competitions and a big mass band where every band comes up and they all play,” Angus said.

Follow Angus’s musical adventures at instagram.com/angusthebagpiper.