Sam Flinton and Trudi VanOmmeren are both two very talented musicians who play a quite uncommon instrument…the bagpipes.
Trudi recalls first learning about the bagpipes through her teacher and fellow classmate, Sam. By the fifth grade she decided to begin lessons. For Sam however the bagpipes were an instrument he grew up watching his uncle and cousin play. Sam was introduced to the Scotia Glenville Pipe band through his family members and has been playing with them ever since. The band practices every Wednesday night from 7-9 in Colonie, and encompasses students from all over. It is the only youth band in the entire northeast. Trudi and Sam have both been playing with the band since beginner lessons.
The band competed over the summer in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland at Stirling University. They competed with Scottish youth and adult bands, and were the only American band to earn first place honors in the Novice Juvenile Division, and receive a trophy. The competition began with a qualifier round which consisted of 25 bands and the top bands advanced to finals. They had a total of 4 events judged: 1 drums, 2 piping, and 1 ensemble. The band spent three weeks in Scotland where they not only competed, but were given the opportunity to go site seeing and visit piping festivals.
There is a growing popularity in bagpiping. Bagpipes can be purchased at a starting price of about $1200 and up. Are you interested or want to learn more? See Trudi or Sam with questions!
Mrs. Harkness-Wood • Apr 12, 2013 at 7:14 am
Trudi and Sam have certainly been dedicated and driven in their mastery of bagpiping! They’ve competed and performed extensively here in New York. What a fantastic opportunity for their group to travel to Scotland, and an honor to have won! Congratulations to them, their families, and their band.