unexpected Student turns unique gift into unusual talent Senior Paul Elliot never imagined he would play the bagpipes. As a high school freshman in Connecticut, Elliott was part of his school’s band where he played different kinds of instruments. During that year, Elliott’s interest in the band immediately changed when he discovered the bagpipe. Elliott said a bandmate who was retiring from the band gave him the bagpipe for free. “I believe I was truly fortunate because the bagpipe is a really unique and expensive instrument,” Elliott said. According to Elliot, the bagpipe was the hardest instrument he had ever played. He learned to play the bagpipe at a college in Connecticut near his home, and it took him nine months of training and practice before he could play entire songs. After almost a year of training,Elliot was part of the Fourth of July parade and also marched in the largest gathering of bagpipers in New York City for Tartan Day. “Experiencing thousands of pipers at once was the best time ever,”Elliott said. In his time at Harding, Elliot was hard pressed to find another bagpipe player.Elliot mentioned that it would be difficult for others to learn,especially if they had never played another instrument. He considered teaching some of his friends only if they were serious about learning. Elliot’s friend, junior Jon Pringle, agreed with the complexity of the instrument. “The bagpipes is not an easy instrument,” Pringle said. “I don’t think I could do that. But with Paul, it shows an interest in his culture, and I think that’s something that everyone should have.” Elliot encouraged students to learn to play the bagpipe because it was a unique and fun instrument. “It is also good for you because it provides you with good exercise,”Elliott said, explaining that after 40 minutes of playing, he grew tired. Elliott played many songs and knew more than 50 songs by heart. His favorite songs were “Itchy Fingers”and “Amazing Grace,”which he practiced at Harding on Friday nights behind the Reynolds Center or any other day he had free time. “I think bagpipes are a way of escape for him,”Pringle said.“He’s a great Christian and likes to help people out. I think he likes to use his talent in this way.” [Laura Navarro] gift [juniors] 85
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