We recently connected with Desmond OBoyle and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Desmond, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.

When I was in 3rd grade in my hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado, we were shuffled into the auditorium around the day of St. Patrick’s Day. It was that moment when I first heard bagpipes for the first time. I remember being blown away by the energy, sound, and emotion. A man was dressed in full highland attire, he played for about a half hour and explained stories behind the tunes and his uniform. The whole experience enveloped me like a warm blanket.

I immediately went home and told my parents I wanted to play the bagpipes.

Well, playing the bagpipes in a medium size town at Catholic school is easier said than done. I asked the orchestra band instructor, and he said I should consider the tuba, or perhaps the bass clarinet. I was slightly set back…

A couple of years later, I found a local teacher. Hugh Thackaberry was from Glasgow, Scotland.He served in Korea, and was every bit of a Scot as you could imagine. His personality larger than life, and method teaching tried and true. I began taking lessons immediately, and excelled.

There came a point when you graduate from the practice chanter, and graduate to the full bagpipe, which is expensive. At this point I was attending band practice with other pipers and drummers, and was learning about playing in a band, yet I had no pipes. An older man approached my mother. He had brought his pipes practice, but was not playing them. He explained he was getting on in years, and was advised by his doctor not to play that frequently anymore. He offered to allow me to borrow his set until we could afford to purchase my own set.

It turned out, Ken Miller was the same piper who played at my school a few years earlier, and he lived very close to our house. After a few months of progress on the full pipes, and Mr. Miller’s health deteriorating, I began working at his house after school weekdays and on the weekends to purchase his pipes from him. I did in two years, and I still have the receipts he typed up in his typewriter.

Ken’s wife later became sick, and unfortunately passed away.It wasn’t long until he also passed away, he missed his wife. They had been married for

40 years I think. I played his pipes, now mine, at his funeral.It was an honor.I have taken care of them ever since.The spirit of Ken Miller and his pipes live on through me, and I have taken good care of them. They are 1951 Lawrie pipes made from African blackwood with ivory mounts.

Jumping forward to the current day….. in the last 30 years, I have competed in solo pipe competitions and served as Pipe Major for three pipe bands.Those include; Thunder Mountain Pipe Band (now defunct) in Grand Junction, Colorado, The Eugene Highlanders from Eugene Oregon, and Michael Collins Pipes and Drums based in Denver. I am currently the Pipe Major of Michael Collins Pipes and Drums, a Grade 4 pipe band and registered member of the Western United State Pipe Band Association.I currently live in Greeley, Colorado. Funerals and memorial services are the most common gigs I perform at.I have played many funerals, and can recommend a plethora of tunes outside of “Amazing Grace” for any service. I love playing weddings,birthday parties, and other social gatherings. I’m also available for private lessons.

Fees for lessons are negotiated privately.

I have never played for a revolt or an uprising, but if I am asked to do so, I will require payment up front……

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Delivering a Cultural discipline and bringing music that is not commonly known or listened to. My skills should allow you all to witness the beauty of bagpipes and the music I follow that has existed centuries and passed on. History is rich in bagpipes and will continue. Keeping this tradition alive.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Networking, word of mouth and businesses sharing my information using the products Created using Canva tools! My abilities create my person and reputation, I introduce myself through my business cards and printed mediums.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My band gigs, events and building personal relationships with those I play music with. Opportunities arise with getting my printed material out during my business events and gigs. New clients form as well through talking and networking at these places.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.desoboylebagpipes.com

Image Credits

Crystal OBoyle