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Drummer boy
Alexander is a hit on Tartan Day
Piper Eileen Denny (39) and son, drummer Alexander Richardson (13), who both took part in the New York Tartan Day celebrations.
A schoolboy had the honour of being the youngest musician to take part in the New York Tartan Day parade.
Alexander Richardson (13) from Overton Crescent, Denny was visiting the Big Apple on holiday with mum Eileen when she stunned him by saying he would be taking part in the annual procession.
Both are active members in the Denny & Dunipace Gleneagles Pipe Band – Alexander a tenor drummer, and Eileen a piper.
She secretly arranged for them to take part in the April 14 parade through a friend in the Pentland Caledonia Pipe Band, which was already booked to play in the event.
Eileen said: “I told Alexander to pack his kilt, saying it would be fun for him to be dressed up to watch the parade. He had no idea that he would actually be taking part.”
The New York Tartan Day parade takes place each year as part of a week-long programme of events held to celebrate Scots culture and its lasting influence on the United States.
Pipe bands from around the world travel to take part.
Eileen broke the news to a shocked Alexander on the morning of the event, and mother and son were soon part of the massed bands parading down the famous Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.
Alexander, a pupil at Denny High School, has been playing the drums since the age of eight and began playing competitively with his pipe band last year.
He said: “I was totally shocked when my mum told me I would be taking part in the parade. It was so exciting to part of it. I was thrilled to be the youngest player there.”
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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