Local bagpipers play for Prince Edward, Miss America and other celebrities

Two graduating seniors from Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, and a student from Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, played bagpipes for His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Teresa Scanlan (Miss America 2011), Whoopi Goldberg, Kirstie Alley, The Baroness von Langendorff and many other celebrities at a black-tie charity event at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on June 23.

The gala dinner was in aid of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Young Americans’ Challenge. This initiative provides opportunities for American youth to enjoy self-challenging programs of community service, adventurous journeys and physical recreation, all to achieve a balanced development of life skills.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award was launched in 1956 in the UK and spread globally in the 1970s and 80s. In America, the organization has formed partnerships with the Miss America Organization, the Boy Scouts of America and the PAL, among other organizations.

The pipers are members of the “Rampant Lion Pipe Band,” led by David Palladino of Basking Ridge, one of the few opportunities for area youth to perfect the ancient art of playing bagpipes and to compete in Pipe & Drum competitions.

Pipers Morris Germansky and Brian Luciani are also graduating members of the Highlander Band of Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights. 

“I will be playing bagpipes at Marist College next year, and hope to found the school's own pipe band!” said Luciani. Germansky (Pipe Major with the Highlanders) will also be piping in college. “I think I will be the only piper at Brandeis, so people will learn to know who the skirl is coming from!” he said.

Participants at this year’s Relay for Life event at Governor Livingston High School will have heard the same young musicians in their moving rendition of “Amazing Grace” by candlelight that night.

Morris Germansky personally marched Prince Edward into dinner to “Highland Cathedral.” All three pipers performed several tunes for the assembled benefactors before they marched off to a rousing rendition of “Scotland the Brave” as royals and celebrities alike clapped to the beat!

The musicians were able to spend some time chatting with Prince Edward before the meal.

“He asked me how long I’ve been playing the pipes,” said Germansky, “and then he told me he had attended the Highland Games in the South, and how surprised he was that there was so much interest in the pipes in the US.”

The Rampant Lions were invited to perform through the auspices of the Clan Currie Society headquartered in Summit, New Jersey. For membership and other information about the Rampant Lions contact Dave Palladino at david_palladino@yahoo.com.