Bigfork Community Bagpipe Lessons

Anyone who has heard a lone piper at a funeral or memorial knows the extraordinary healing power of the pipes.  The sound provides comfort and emotional strength in moments of deep grief.  For many families, it is one of the most meaningful parts of saying goodbye.  Bigfork deserves local pipers who can serve our community in these moments of need.

This GiveMN campaign seeks to launch a combined school and community bagpipe program that welcomes learners of all ages.  We already have interest: two adult community members are officially enrolled as students, and two Bigfork School students are eager to begin lessons as soon as equipment is available. However, the program currently does not have the resources to properly start instruction.

The Need

Bigfork faces significant economic challenges:

• Nearly 30% of households live below the poverty line

• Roughly 65% of students have been officially classified by the State as "economically disadvantaged"

For many families, purchasing bagpipe equipment is simply not feasible.  A practice chanter alone can cost $70–120, reeds and supplies add more, and full sets of pipes cost several hundred to several thousand dollars.  

A school-based bagpipe program eliminates that barrier, allowing all students (regardless of income) to participate.  It strengthens local pride, builds unique skills, fosters teamwork and discipline, and provides opportunities for public performance that light up our community gatherings.  It also creates a pipeline of local talent to meet the rising demand for pipers throughout the underrepresented, rural communities of Northern Minnesota.

How Your Donation Helps

Funds raised through this GiveMN campaign will allow us to purchase:

• Practice chanters for beginners

• Reeds, tutor books, and learning tools

• Full sets of Highland bagpipes for performances as students progress

• Protective cases and maintenance supplies

All equipment will be included in a “Musical Instrument Lend-to-Learn Library”, where students of all ages will have access, regardless of financial barriers.

With your support, we can begin lessons immediately and expand as interest continues to grow.

Giving Back to Bigfork

This program is not just about learning music...it’s about serving the community. 

Trained pipers will provide:

• Free piping for funerals and memorials.  (No family in Bigfork or the surrounding area will ever have to pay for a piper during times of grief.)

• Performances at veterans’ events, civic ceremonies, and local celebrations

• Music for community festivals, school events, and parades

Your contribution strengthens the identity of Bigfork, enriches local events, and provides comfort and dignity to families at some of life’s most important moments.

The following posted link is to a letter of recommendation from Pipe Major Chuck Bergquist and Pipe Sergeant Al Mackenzie of the Twin Ports Highlanders (Formerly the Duluth Scottish Heritage Association - DSHA) to demonstrate the sincerity of this request for aid:

Letter of Recommendation

Whether you are able to give or not, please consider sharing this with others.  

Thank you so much for your support!

Humbly,

Joshua D. Whittemore