Prestigious Scottish bagpiper leads Tulloch Ard, designs kilts
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: Focus
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He now plays alongside Hillsdale College students as the advisor of Tulloch Ard Pipes and Drums, the bagpipe club.
"It's something I've loved all my life, and like teaching, I don't consider it work," he said. "It's very rewarding … we've graduated some very good players. It's like being a professional at your hobby."
All Hillsdale students play in matching kilts specially designed by Macey, which include the Hillsdale colors.
One of these students, junior Jessica McCaleb, said she was first drawn towards the bagpipes because of her Scottish heritage. Macey has coached her ever since she entered Hillsdale.
"Besides the fact that we have one of the best teachers in the world, it's fun to have other students who are interested in it," McCaleb said. "It is kind of a bizarre instrument, something very unusual."
Professor of Philosophy James Stephens, who started learning the bagpipes at Hillsdale ten years ago, said he appreciates the unusualness of the instrument as well.
"Played rightly, it's one of the most expressive instruments I know…It doesn't sound like much else…it's a sound all to itself," he said.
Stephens said he also appreciates the instrument because of his Scottish heritage - his grandfather, a native of Scotland, had always wanted him to play.
"With it comes the image of the piper standing and playing on the hill in Scotland," he said.
McCaleb said her family also appreciates how her bagpipe playing honors their Scottish heritage, but she isn't sure how her neighbors feel.
"My dad makes me play all the time when I'm home…I'm not sure what my neighbors think," she said. "All their dogs start growling but I haven't had anything thrown at me yet. My whole family, they love the Scottish stuff."
McCaleb said she and the other pipers play at the piping house, located on Union Street, 5 p.m. each Friday.
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