A local boy and his family are looking forward to a trip abroad to Scotland this August as the adventure of a lifetime begins for a boy who simply loves to make music.
Nathan Campbell, 8, of Halifax, will be competing in the World Pipe Band Championships before an international audience in Glassgow, Scotland in mid-August.
Nathan has been studying music for years and his instrument of choice is the bagpipes. As a member of the Colum Cille Pipes and Drums, he has played for many area events and his ability to play so well, at such a young age has impressed many.
Why the bagpipes? He saw a Highland festival and decided he would like to give the bagpipes a try.
Kim Campbell is mom to Nathan and his brother Evan, 11. Evan is a drummer for the Colum Cille Pipes and Drums and is likewise learning the bagpipes –indirectly- she joked. She assists with cleaning and tuning the instrument with Nathan as well as driving to events and practices. The boys perform for various events and most recently Nathan performed at a cookout for residents at The Woodlands in Plympton.
The boys believe they get their musical talents from their father, Mathew, who is a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Marines. Their Scottish family history includes an heirloom kilt, over 100 years old and dating back to their paternal great-great-grandfather in Edinburgh. The three Campbell men have had portraits done at various times in the kilt.
Nathan and his brother have been recognized by locals on the South Shore as they perform while marching along the Cape Cod Canal in Bourne where the family likes to camp.
He is learning to read and write music, clean the bagpipes, properly tune it in various temperatures and environmental influences and to always look sharp in his Highland attire.
Both boys belong to Colum Cille Pipes and Drums, located on Cape Cod, which currently has about 30 members. They wear the Cunningham Tartan in honor of their benefactor Harold Cunningham.
One of the most emotional and heartfelt moments for the Campbell family was attending the one-year memorial for the SS El Faro in Jacksonville, Fl. Nathan played Amazing Grace at services in honor of those who perished when the ship was lost.
Mathew Campbell, a chief engineer who ships out for several months or more at a time, had at one time been stationed on the SS El Faro. He knew several of the 33 shipmates who perished when the ship was lost during the 2015 Hurricane Joaquin.
During the tribute Nathan played his pipes before nearly 500 people, said mom Kim. If he was nervous performing before the crowd it didn’t show. Both boys agreed with their mom that it was a special time for all the families to attend.
The Campbells are enthusiastic about the trip to Scotland with Nathan as it is the pinnacle of Pipe Band competiton.
Evan will be traveling to Glasgow to support his younger brother, assisting in shining and cleaning the instruments, which he is wholeheartedly looking forward to doing.
Nathan also considers himself an adventurer and having seen a special on Antarctica, he hopes one day to visit – as long as he can bring his bagpipes.