Special Occasions Festivals

By Eicka Wilson

The popularity of the Bagpipe continues to grow around the world in terms of music. The bagpipe is often played at special occasions such as weddings, parties, funerals, military ceremonies and festivals.

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One of the special occasions that bagpipes are most common for being played at are at fire department and police department funerals. This tradition started when the Scottish and Irish immigrated to the United States while bringing many traditions over. In the 1880’s Irish was faced with discrimination and they could not get any jobs, NINA(No Irish Need Apply) was posted over many companies so there were no where for Irish to go for jobs except dangerous jobs which included police officers and firefighters. Since those jobs were dangerous many firefighters and police officers were killed and it was a tradition for bagpipe players to play at their funerals. The most popular and famous song that is played by the bagpipe players is Amazing Grace. The bagpipe has been known to be a common tradition at a fallen hero’s funeral.

Another special occasion that one will usually see bagpipes being played is at weddings. Bagpipes being played at weddings have been a common tradition in Scotland, Ireland and many European countries. Now in society many people often have the choice of the bagpipe being played at their weddings because it is elegant and noble similar to the wedding ceremony.

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There is also a Bagpipe Festival in the Czech Republic that happens every year. This shows that the bagpipe is a popular important instrument that has an impact on many traditions. The Bagpipe Festival is a European festival where many people come together and play and dance to the sound of the bagpipes being played. At this festival over hundreds types of bagpipes are present to show off the tradition of bagpipes to the world. The next festival will be in August of 2012.

Bagpipes are played at many events based on traditions. The bagpipe tradition is so popular that the bagpipe can really be played at any event such as birthday parties to golf tournaments. It all depends on the person who is having or throwing the event and if they can get a piper to play at their event. Since bagpipes can be played at any event that shows how important of an instrument it is to the music world.

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