“They understand the value in what they are doing, and are natural ambassadors for their instrument.”
By Sophie M Stringer
The ‘Reeds ‘n’ Reels’; Lauren Bain, Kirsten Neil and Heather Smith, are an inspiring young female trio from the Falkirk region. Together they celebrate their love of piping through busking as the Reeds ‘n’ Reels and perform with the Falkirk Schools Pipe Band (FSPB).
Together they began their piping journey in Primary 5, each driven by an individual and unique reason to learn. Lauren was inspired by the annual pipers who played out the Primary 7 leavers and an eagerness to explore Scottish traditional music. She quickly realised the technicality that learning the chanter required, and very much loved and embraced the challenge of learning the pipes. Kirsten was driven to learn due to her enjoyment of Scottish culture, while Heather’s driving inspiration came from her father – also a piper – from where she inherited the want and determination to learn.
The early chanter learning years of these young people wasn’t an easy one, with Covid-19 quickly pushing their lessons online. However, they persevered and in 2022 they were able to transition on to the bagpipes thanks to the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust loan scheme.
With what Lauren describes as “consistent practice”, which she claims as key and a determined mindset, by 2024 they earned their place in the FSPB and competed in their first pipe band season. Their first contest was at the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships, where along with Scottish tradition, they embraced 70s pop, performing ABBA in the freestyle event.
Emma Buchan, one of the supporting teachers to the FSPB describes Heather, Kirsten and Lauren as a “joy to be around”. Emma continues by saying: “They don’t just want success for themselves, they want others to be successful too, which is something you can’t teach. They understand the value in what they are doing and are natural ambassadors for their instrument. They support the development of our junior players by attending extra practices to tutor them, even leading performances at concerts for our very newest members.”
“Last year I had the pleasure of mentoring them through a performance that they arranged by themselves. I had very little input other than some tuning, the rest was all done by them and they were outstanding. Their natural musicianship shines when they play together and I know they will continue to flourish as a trio for years to come. I’m so excited to see where their piping takes them in the future!”
The Reeds ‘n’ Reels have continued to push their piping to new heights, with Lauren entering her first solo contest (The Caritas Banner 18 & Under Piobaireachd competition 2024) late last year. She was very content to place 5th out of 14 competitors in the 14 & Under, Ground & Variation.
Heather, Kirsten and Lauren all very much enjoy performing with FSPB in their local community, and were thrilled at the opportunity to perform at the Kelpies’ 10 year anniversary event last year, alongside both the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Calum Beattie.
We asked the Reeds ‘n’ Reels about their sources of inspiration, they all overwhelmingly agreed that their supportive piping tutors and the friendships they have made are their great source.
Heather: “The pipe band is really supportive with some friendly competition. My teachers are really encouraging and personable. Having a female tutor Emma Buchan amongst them provides a fantastic role model for girls in the band. Playing together with my close friends Lauren and Kirsten as part of Reeds ‘n’ Reels is great fun too!”
Kirsten: “I have been inspired by my world champion piping tutors Emma Buchan and Euan McNab. They push me to play my best. My friends, Lauren and Heather also encourage me to improve everyday. The people in the pipe band that I play with are very supportive and make the atmosphere even more fun and enjoyable!”
Lauren: “I am very lucky to have been taught and supported by three world class pipers Euan McNab (FSPB), Emma Buchan (FSPB), and Neil Clark (private tuition). They have all inspired and helped me on my piping journey, and continue to inspire me to challenge myself and develop and improve all aspects of my piping. Without their support, I would never have been able to achieve what I have.”
Lauren’s mum is her other great source of inspiration. “My mum also inspires me and is always reminding me how far I have come. She has also become a ‘Bagpipe Mum’, learning more than she ever wanted to know alongside me about how to look after and maintain my bagpipes!” Lauren is also inspired by the joy the pipes install for others. She loves that they “ bring a smile to people’s faces”, especially when performing to her local community.
Heather, Kirsten and Lauren all have high ambitions for the future, and are highly determined and enthusiastic about all things piping. They are all extremely excited by the opportunity to travel to New York City this year and perform with the FSPB at the Tartan Day Parade.
Heather hopes that Reeds ‘n’ Reels can “inspire other girls to learn the pipes and promote females in piping”. Through busking and paid gigs she is determined to save and purchase her own unique set of pipes and later support her university studies. She is intent on keeping piping as a hobby at heart, and as an adult hopes to continue competing in bands and as a soloist.
Kirsten is greatly determined to continue her piping after her secondary school. She hopes that she can one day join an adult competing band, continuing to find enjoyment in her music and strong friendships.
Lauren is eager to build confidence on her newly purchased set of pipes and embraces the challenge. She aims to continue improving so that one day she can earn the opportunity to play with the NYPBS, as well as compete in solo and band competitions successfully, and if she’s lucky, become a World Pipe Band Champion. She has also recently joined the Musical Leaders programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and assists at the FSPB Chanter Band. Through her growing leadership skills she hopes to inspire other young people to play and love the pipes as much as she does!
Together the Reeds ‘n’ Reels are most excited to continue performing with each other and look forward to the new friendships they will make throughout their piping journeys.
