Pipers
How does someone begin to learn the bagpipes? Well, it depends on who you talk to...
Pipers perform at Alma College
Eli Woolcott
Eli Woolcott has been piping ever since he begged his parents to let him take lessons — at age 5.
His parents took him to a Scottish concert at Interlochen Arts Academy, and he begged them afterward to let him learn the bagpipe.
“They probably thought it would only last a couple of weeks,” he says. As a college senior, he is still playing.
Woolcott travels every weekend to Windsor, Ontario as part of the Windsor Police Pipe Band, winner of several national and international awards. He has played with them since his freshman year of high school.
He came to Alma because of his familiarity with the campus.
“I’ve been going to the Highland Festival since I was about 7,” he says.
The music program originally attracted him, but after taking classes with Ray Riley, he switched his major to Communication.
Woolcott plays pipes for the traditional Burns Dinner held at Alma College.
“I enjoy performing and playing my instrument for others,” he says.
In addition, Woolcott serves as a bagpipe instructor, past president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and sings with the Alma College choir.
Kalif Mathieu
Jacksonville, Ill. senior Kalif Mathieu began piping when he was nine years old, after seeing a pipe band on New Year’s Eve.
“Then and there I decided I wanted to play the pipes,” he says.
Kalif practices his bagpipe in the residence hall at Alma College
A double major in English and political science, Mathieu says he found out about Alma through the piping community, and was attracted by the small campus and liberal arts tradition.
“I think the best opportunity Alma has offered me is the chance to go to Aberdeen and study for six months, which I plan to take advantage of in the spring of 2008,” he says.
While in Aberdeen, Mathieu plans on studying Scottish tradition and language, as well as continuing his piping studies.
Mathieu continues to take lessons and competes with the St. Andrew’s Society of Central Illinois pipe and drum band from Springfield, Ill. He also competes in solo competitions and plays at various other events.
In addition, he is involved in the Climbing Club, Student Congress and the Student Affairs Committee.
Alyse Redman
Coming to the Alma Highland Festival every year, Alyse Redman was in awe of the pipers.
“My parents told me that it was part of my heritage," the junior says, "and all I could think was ‘wow.’”
Redman has been piping for four years under the teaching of Glen Erin and studying under Andrew Duncan while at Alma.
She performs with the Glen Erin Pipe Band at various Irish festivals and events such as weddings and parades.
“The best part is my band mates,” she says. “We’re like a family.”
Alma College was Redman's dream school, and she remembers looking up to college students here a child and wanting to be one.
The business and communication major helps others get that kind of excitement about Alma by working in admissions. She is also involved in the German Club and Phi Sigma Sigma, a social sorority.
“The campus feels like home,” she says. “I love how friendly everyone is, from the students to the staff to the professors.”
