Community Corner
Video: Middlefield Teen Embraces Heritage with Bagpipes
Connor Stewart has been playing the instrument for three years and will perform this weekend at a St. Patrick's Day celebration in Chester.
The bagpipes are a natural fit for Connor Stewart.
The Middlefield teen was introduced to the instrument by his father, who played the bagpipes during his military service.
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"I saw pictures of him and videos of him playing them. I was always interested in my heritage because I'm Scottish and this is a Scottish instrument," says Connor, a freshman at Coginchaug High School.
Connor practices on a chanter, a flute-like device, several times a week. The biggest challege, he says, is developing the strength in his lungs to be able to fill the bag with air.
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During performances, Connor wears a kilt, a traditional wardrobe in his family's native Scotland.
"It's a lot different than wearing pants, I can say that. If you play the bagpipes you have to wear the kilt," he says. Connor recently added a traditional Scottish pouch known as a Sporran to his wardrobe.
Connor will be performing on St. Patrick's Day at St. Joseph Church in Chester.
"It's been a good experience, it's built a lot of character I think. People have actually seen what I can do."
Learn more about the Great Highland Bagpipe.
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