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Executive: Peggy Wilson, president and CEO of Wilson Creative Group, an advertising agency she founded in Naples eight years ago.
Diversion: Playing the bagpipes.
Why she plays: Playing the bagpipes gives Wilson some time away from the rigors of work and family. “I wanted an outlet, and I'm passionate about music and the arts,” she says. “What I love is it transports me completely away. It's 100% opposite of my everyday world.”
Good pitch: Wilson played the clarinet as a child and has the gift of a musical ear. “I do have an ear for being in tune,” she says.
Hearing the call: Wilson says she's wanted to play the bagpipes for a long time. “I stumbled across someone playing at a wedding 20 years ago,” says Wilson, whose family roots are from Ireland. She turned to her husband and said: “I want pipes for Christmas.”
Christmas cheer: Wilson got a chanter that Christmas, years ago. The chanter is the part of the bagpipe that resembles a flute, on which the musicians play the melody. Playing the chanter is the first step in learning how to play the instrument, but Wilson gave up after only a few months. “I got discouraged because I wasn't taking lessons,” she says.
Take lessons: Five years ago, a book club friend told Wilson her son was taking lessons with Don Goller, the pipe major for the Harp and Thistle Pipe Band of Southwest Florida. So Wilson dug out her chanter and joined him and other students for group lessons at First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs to learn the instrument. “I almost quit it was so challenging,” she says. She pays $10 per weekly lesson on Wednesday evenings.
Joining the band: It took about a year and half of lessons with the chanter and the full instrument to become comfortable enough to join the Harp and Thistle Pipe Band. Learning how to play is half the job: “Oh, and then let's march,” Wilson laughs. “You have to practice every day,” she says. She practices early in the morning or in the evening and has memorized 20 tunes.
PR for the band: Not surprisingly, band members turn to Wilson to maintain the website (harpandthistlepipeband.org), promote the group's activities and book concerts. The band performs 10 to 15 times a year at functions ranging from parades to weddings, balls and funerals. They also travel around the state to compete and won the state championships in their band category in Dunedin in April.
Preparing for concerts: There are about 30 band members and concerts can be elaborate affairs. It takes about an hour and a half to prepare for a concert and tune the instruments. The band charges $900 to $1,200 for a performance with no fewer than 15 members.
What it costs: Bagpipes cost from $500 to $2,500. Wilson's instrument cost $1,400 and was made in Scotland. Kilts with a sporran (the pouch that hangs on the front) can cost as much as $1,000 or more. The band wears the Irish national tartan and members can also wear a Sgian Dubh, a knife tucked in one sock.
Friends and family: Wilson will play for friends at parties and family gatherings. “Amazing Grace” is a frequent request. “I'm also setting an example for my daughter to have passion and do things for yourself,” Wilson says.
Follow Jean Gruss on Twitter @JeanGruss
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