Hear alumnus Patrick Regan (A 1996) discuss the history of bagpipes and his personal relationship with the art. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions following the presentation. When:Wednesday, November 256:30-8 p.m. ET Cost:Free to attend.Questions?Contact Rachel Keeler at RachelEKeeler@yahoo.com
For over fifty years, Patrick Regan the Bagpiper has performed, competed and instructed in the ways of the Great Highland Bagpipe. He first set foot on stage at age three, but it took another eight years to convince the bagpipe to join him. Winning his first professional competition at 15, he continues to entertain audiences and annoy bagpiping judges to the present day. As a performer, Patrick takes the stage, street or classroom with an exuberance matched only by the instrument he brandishes. Audiences expecting only a few stanzas of "Amazing Grace" are in for a delightful ear-opener. His mastery of British accents, mixed with his native Texas twang, illuminate stories guaranteed to bring a smile to the most serious Scotsman. Patrick’s oldest son, Sean Patrick Regan, also a professional piper, serves aa the Director of Bagpiping at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, a position previously held by Patrick. Sean is pursuing his Master of Music degree in bagpiping at Carnegie Mellon University! Patrick is the first graduate of the Bagpipe degree program at Carnegie Mellon University (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance, Bagpipe), also holding a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Music from Durham University in England. Having taught everything from nursery school to graduate school, Patrick now teaches privately, dividing his time between Dallas, Pittsburgh and whatever jet is taking him to his next gig. And when he grows up, he wants to be a bagpiper.