After feeling the effects of social isolation and missing their weekly band practices and performances, the Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drum band have gotten creative.
“We’ve been keeping in touch by email and using Zoom, but we were really missing out on playing and I asked the executive what they thought about us playing at our own homes on our front lawns on a Sunday and play ‘Amazing Grace’,” said Cameron Renwick, one of the band members, noting it’s something that could resonate with the community.
Renwick came up with the idea after seeing what other artists are doing for a creative outlet during social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said none of the band members live all that close to one another so it will be solo performances heard in various neighbourhoods.
“I would love to think they [neighbours] would come out and listen while we play, if they want to stand on their front lawns or porches and sing along,” he said.. “It just felt like a Sunday thing to do.”
Renwick said it’s important to feel connected during challenging times.
“I really think it shows the people around us that we’re all together in this and despite the social distancing we need to be honouring and respecting, we can still hear and you can hear bagpipes from quite a distance away. It’s a little bit of my hope that we can feel like a connected community despite the fact that we’re socially isolated.”
The band members will begin playing at 11 a.m. this Sunday.
“We’ve said we’ll do it until we’re able to get back together as a band and perform collectively,” he said. “Which is hopefully soon, but who knows.”
When the band can come together again, Renwick would love to see them play on a Sunday at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph.
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Will be listening to hear anyone who lives near me. Thank you. AMAZING idea!!
Great work Group . Looking forward to Our next Gig together .
William IV
See my response above.
We play regularly at the care facilities in our community. With the recommendations that we ALL stay home unless absolutely necessary, we have elected this option of playing at home as the best option for now. We are playing Amazing Grace b/c so many ppl are missing their church services, it is a popular tune with many ppl and is easily recognizable. If you pay attention to the lyrics, it is about hope and faith, not death. It is only associated with death b/c it is played at funerals a lot.
It was felt an Inspirational , Uplifting Hymn was appropriate and that is what it is . When this horrible time is over You will hear Upbeat from this group !
Last Gig We did before the COVID-19 shutdown was Fairvern in early March .It is always a pleasure .
I agree there are much happier songs to be played. I did not allow it to be played when my husband passed and I still cannot get through it without tears. Don, I will be on my front deck if you play anything else. Stay safe
What a kind and soothing action to help us all get through this. Kudos to the band members!
Possibly even a couple of members, a distance apart, on the front lawn of Fairvern or other senior’ homes, playing something upbeat rather than Amazing Grace – it has to be really hard on them to have no visitors and the music could really boost them??