Bagpipe workshop conducted by Pipe Major Richard Smith
Pipe Major Richard Smith is a fourth generation Scots, whose great-grandfather emigrated to the United States in the 1830’s. Richard has played the Great Highland Bagpipe for over 28 years, and was a member of a premier pipe band in Atlanta Georgia for 16 years, with the last six years as Pipe Major. Having moved to Blairsville Georgia in 2011, he joined the local bagpipe band, the Appalachian Saint Andrew’s Pipes and Drums, and became the Pipe Major in 2013. The Pipe Major of a bagpipe band is the musical director and leader of the band, and serves as the band instructor. He has taught many piping students, both individual one-on-one private instruction, as well as groups and one-on-one instruction in a pipe band setting. His students have ranged in age from 6 years old to senior adults, and most came to Richard having no prior experience on bagpipes, but some experienced pipers came to him, needing advanced instruction. In addition to Richard leading the pipe band at more than a dozen gigs each year, he plays at many weddings, funerals, memorials, church and Scottish events in the North Georgia mountain area.
Scottish Harp Workshop with National Scottish Harp Champion Tracie Brown
Three-time National Scottish Harp Champion Tracie Brown demonstrates the Scottish harp. Tracie will discuss the over 1000 year history of the harp in Scotland and perform Scottish music from the middle ages to the 21st century. She lives in the Athens, Georgia area, and performs as a soloist and with two ensembles – Stronger Than Tea (focusing on Scottish and Irish music of the 18th and 19th centuries) and The Gentry (traditional and contemporary music of Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany.) Tracie is a member of the Clan Lamont Society of North America.
Scottish Country Dance Workshop with The Royal Scottish Country Dancers – Atlanta Branch
