Bagpipes sound Scottish pride at NU

By Scott Craven
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

For two and a half years, Norwich University has benefited from the unique musical talent of Robert Stigers. Stigers, an academic senior, but junior in the corps, plays the Scottish highland bagpipes for Norwich University at special corps events and athletic games. Bringing a "war-like" atmosphere to the soccer field, Jared Yaris, 19, a sophomore criminal justice major from Raymond N.H., said that hearing the sound of the bagpipe "motivates" him and "raises the level of intensity" in the game.

Stigers, 24-year-old international studies major from Issaquah, WA, began learning the bagpipes when he was in sixth grade.

"There is a legend that says it takes seven years to make a good piper," Stigers said. "I have been playing on my own now for about five years and have almost reached the mark."

According to Stigers, "the great war pipe of the north" became a popular war instrument in Northern Europe during the middle ages and early 1700s, and they were first used by a group of outcasts called highlanders and then carried over to modern times, where they became part of the army regiments.

"They were used for all sorts things, but most of the time they would be used to lead troops into battle and were also used for signaling and assembling people," Stigers said. "Bagpipers didn't carry weapons, either; they fought the battles with inspiration."

Coming from a Scottish background, Stigers said he started playing mostly out of self-interest.

"I grew up listening to it, and it's just a part of my background to begin with," Stigers said.

Stigers is the only one in his family that hasn't been to Scotland, but, according to Stigers, playing the bagpipes and going to Scottish games help remind him of his ancestry.

"The Scottish games is a traditional festival that celebrates the culture through a fun day of hammer throwing, sheep herding, highland dancing, and food tasting," Stigers said. "They have them all over the Northwest and the rest of the world; I've even been to one in Vermont."

He began going to them because his sister was a highland dancer at the games, and his brother played the fiddle. "Eventually, I began to play at them, too," he said.

His parents made him give up the bagpipe shortly after he started, but he eventually reunited with the instrument once he got to high school. "It was my own thing, not my parents'," he said.

Stigers said it took him about a year of dedicated practice to be able to "play a tune." The first time he actually played was at a friend's funeral.

"It was like divine intervention," Stigers said. "The hand of God had touched me, and I could play ever since then."

He continued playing, and shortly after joined a band of 20 other pipers in Tacoma, WA. Stigers carries his bagpipe almost everywhere he goes and has played it in a variety of situations.

"One of the most unique experiences I've had was playing for a traditional Hindu wedding," Stigers said.

Funding his own lessons and other expenses, Stigers said that the bagpipes are not the most inexpensive instrument.

"I paid about $800 dollars for my first set of bagpipes," Stigers said.

According to Stigers, he loves playing the bagpipes because it gives him a sense of "self relief."

"My favorite time to play is when I go for hikes in the woods," Stigers said. "There, I can duck away and be by myself when I play."

"He never really liked to play in front of us," said Matt Chittick, 20, a sophomore criminal justice major from Ipswich MA. "He preferred to play on special occasions or during his own time."

According to Sam Furlong, 19, a sophomore peace war and diplomacy major form Walpole, MA, Stigers would play the pipes during training sessions.

"He's a motivating individual," Furlong said.

According to Stigers, the first time he played in his room his freshmen year, he was caught by one of his cadre.

"My staff sergeant, Cadet Callahan, was playing a Scottish tune on his computer that I knew, so I began to echo the music with my bagpipes," he said. "That was the first time anyone at school knew I could play."

Also in keeping with the heritage of the bagpipes, Stigers said he enjoys wearing his kilt.

"I don't like to feel restricted by the corps uniform while I'm playing," Stigers said. "It's just the kilt, there's nothing better."

When he's not by himself or exploring the woods like his Scottish ancestors, you can catch Stigers all over the campus playing at athletic games and other corps events.

"There's many that dislike, even loathe, the somber sounds of the bagpipe; however, during a game when we're fatigued, there's nothing more uplifting than to hear it," said Ben Blanchard, 21, a member of the rugby team and a senior psychology and criminal justice major from Amesbury, MA.

According to Stigers, he was active in the Vermont National Guard for three years and plans to commission with the Army after he graduates.

"I hope to be stationed somewhere in Northern Europe, so that I'll get a chance to visit my homeland," Stigers said.

Unlike other instruments, according to Stigers, the bagpipe is not easy to learn.

"The bagpipe is not an easy instrument to learn, but I'd be glad to teach anyone that is willing and interested in learning, or just wants to know anything about it," Stigers said.

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