Congrats to your son from another piper. Is that the Canadian school he's at Curval? I probably know some of the older instructors, the founder of both that piping school and the one in the maritimes instructed me back in the early 1980's. I played with Canada's drill band for all the the Expo world's fairs back then, and most of my fellow pipers went on to play with Simon Fraser University and the 78th Fraser from Ontario, both having done well in the world pipe band competition over the years.
I remember the first day I was allowed to play and march with my band of about 50 pipers and drummers, it was quite the experience being in that much noise and sound in step marching together, and doing various drill maneuvers. I think I was about the same age, 12 going on 13 if I remember correctly. I envy your son, he's coming up in time of great new technology for piping, the reeds, bags, new drone manufacturing processes - everything is incredible compared to when I was coming up. Tell him great job and to keep it up.
Is he using a standard practice chanter for playing at home? A great gift idea for xmas is one of the newer electronic practice chanters if he doesn't use one already. I got one for my 40th bday last week, and even though I don't play much anymore, it's nice to put on the headphones and play without bothering anyone else in the house, plane, doctors office, or where ever else I find myself surrounded by others.
