Marching to the beat of a different drummer
By Ethan Smith / Leader Staff
Ronan Middle School seventh grader Victoria Crenshaw is probably the only local student who is routinely banished from her house for practicing a musical instrument.
But it's worth noting that she plays the bagpipes, an instrument capable of producing a haunting, wailing yet beautiful sound — a sound that can top out at over 110 decibels.
While her parents, Phillip and Charleen, encourage her musical interests, Crenshaw, the second youngest of nine children, has accepted the fact that it can be a little taxing for her siblings to listen to, day in and day out.
"Sometimes I listen to (bagpipe) music on CD, and it can get kind of annoying after listening to it on CD, plus me," Crenshaw said.
And with that, she often steps outside to practice in the back yard, an acknowledgment that her musical interests are a little different than the dozens of other local students who study the piano or guitar.
"If I try playing in the house, they'll try to get me to go back outside," Crenshaw said of her siblings. "I try to practice everyday except Sunday, when I get a day off."
"We've never had a neighbor ask 'What's that God-awful sound?' coming from your house, so they seem to be OK with it," Phillip Crenshaw said with a grin.
Ask one of Crenshaw's siblings how they feel about her bagpipe playing and you are likely to get a little smirk. Bagpipes are right up there with the violin - the learning process can be painful for other people to listen to.
"It's OK, as long as she's not playing right outside my window," sister Allison said.
Victoria has to endure some jokes at her expense, from her siblings Allison, Thomas and Andrew, who are still living at home, but many of her brothers and sisters, and her mom, have learned to play an instrument. It's clear the Crenshaws value a musical education.
"One time they came up with this joke. What's the difference between an onion and a bagpipe? When you cut open a bagpipe, nobody cries," Crenshaw said.
Despite the good-natured teasing, Crenshaw's parents have been very supportive, spending about $1,200 on her bagpipe to invest in what they see as a healthy interest, but one that also connects Crenshaw with her family history.
"I like it because it's not as casual as everyone else. I'm also Scottish, so that's another thing," Crenshaw said, displaying a tartan, or woven sash that's used to identify different Scottish family clans.
Crenshaw began taking lessons from James Pettit four years ago, when she was nine, starting with a practice "chanter" - an instrument that resembles a recorder that mimics the sound of a bagpipe, but is much easier to play.
It makes a difficult learning process, and instrument, a little easier, Crenshaw said. (One of the challenges many bagpipe players face is that they must learn to play without looking at the music.)
"At first, you should start off taking lessons with Mr. Pettit and using a chanter. It's better to start on the chanter because it's easier, and you don't make a ton of mistakes," Crenshaw said.
As Crenshaw's interest and talent grew, her parents supported her along the way, investing in a nice bagpipe made of animal hides (rather than a synthetic leather material) with silver "mounts" on the pipes.
Crenshaw plays a style of bagpipe music called "piobaireachd" - the oldest form of classical bagpipe music - which differs from newer songs more often heard in public such as Amazing Grace.
While bagpipes are often associated with funerals or other solemn occasions, Crenshaw said she likes to play happier, more upbeat music.
"It's an older instrument from back then, and sometimes people only think of them for sad songs," she said. "But some people can even play jazz on a bagpipe."
Her favorite is "The Company's Lament".
"A lament is usually meant for funerals and sad songs. I like playing happier songs, but I do play sad songs, too," Crenshaw said.
Crenshaw is happy playing for herself, and to some extent, her family, but she has no unrealistic expectations. She doesn't have any plans for playing for the school district, and she's not sure if playing more solemn occasions like funerals or Veterans' Day ceremonies is in her future.
For now, she's just happy playing an instrument that few other seventh graders - or anyone, for that matter - aspire to.
"I like it. It's different, but that's OK," she said.