James McAlpine reflects on 30 years playing bagpipes in Tas Police Pipe Band
James McAlpine has been praised by the Police Commissioner for his distinguished service to the Police Pipe Band. Where his dedication to his bagpipes comes from.
For James McAlpine playing the bagpipes is akin to riding a bike.
“It takes a lot in the beginning but eventually you don’t even think about it,” he says after 30 years with the Tasmania Police Pipe Band.
Scottish born Mr McAlpine joined the band when he moved from Melbourne to Hobart in 1995 as general manager of the then Pasminco zinc smelter at Lutana
The bagpipes have been described as one of the hardest instruments to play and he says you have to be “match ready” for a big performance.
He first took up playing when he was 13 at home in Glasgow when a visiting uncle gave him a practice chanter as a gift.
Three years later, Mr McAlpine’s father bought him his first set of bagpipes and his decades-long love affair with the instrument hit full stride.
Asked what a piper had to do if they run out of puff he says: “You can just go so far and then you start to blow all over the shop and it doesn’t sound nice.
“If we’re playing a big function, we would have breaks in between where we can get our breath back.”
Mr McAlpine, 75, has an enviable record with the police pipe band, never missing an Anzac Day service in 30 years and playing at several international military tattoos, about 75 graduation ceremonies and other sombre moments.
“There’s been police funerals, so obviously very important occasions, and then playing for Port Arthur (memorial service) … the first one, then also to be back there 20 years later, that was probably the biggest privilege I had,” he said.
“I felt very special. I was humbled by it.
“It was emotional, very emotional.
“It’s one of those things that when you’re playing … you’ve really got to say ‘Look, I’m here for this reason, not to be part of that, but to be part of this’ and it’s only when you finish, you take a deep breath and say I hope I did well, I hope I did that justice.
“Now the band’s starting to build up again and they’ve got plenty of players that’s ideal for me to walk away.”
Police Commissioner Donna Adams commended his dedication at his last official duty, a graduation at the Rokeby Police Academy.
“As pipe major between 2009 and 2015, Jim led the band to three significant international tattoos in Sydney in 2010, Basel in 2011 and Edinburgh in 2014 – and was awarded life membership to the pipe band in 2015,” she said.
“(He) will be greatly missed by all, so thank you Jim, on behalf of everyone here today, your band colleagues, and all of us at Tasmania Police for your commitment and distinguished service to the Pipe Band over the past three decades.”
Mr McAlpine said it was a “privilege” to play in the pipe band.
Despite the skills needed, which can deter some younger players, he’s pleased that many are keen to play.
Although he has now retired from band duty, a Scotsman and his bagpipes are not easily parted.
Mr McAlpine will continue to play for leisure – and to entertain his South Hobart neighbours – and will also pack his mandolin and tin whistle for regular sessions at the New Sydney Hotel in Hobart.
More Coverage
Originally published as James McAlpine reflects on 30 years playing bagpipes in Tas Police Pipe Band
Why teachers will strike for a second time on Friday
