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Carnegie Mellon University

World's First Bagpiping Degree Program Founded at CMU

jimmy-mcintosh-bagpipes700x900-min.jpgCarnegie Mellon is home to the world’s first bagpiping degree program. The program was established in 1991 by Jimmy McIntosh, a royal performer and composer from Broughty Ferry, Scotland. This program’s founding marked the first time that a prestigious academic institution had recognized the Great Highland Bagpipe as a legitimate instrument worthy of academic study.

“They struck gold when they got Jimmy. He was the real deal,” said Paul Gerlach, former director of the Kiltie Band. “He was a lot of fun to work with, and in addition to being a world champion piper, he was also a reed maker. He was in high demand for his reed-making. People really respected his craftsmanship.”

Andrew Carlisle, who has been directing the piping program at CMU since 2010 and to whom McIntosh was a mentor and close friend, says he is single-handedly responsible for both the growing numbers and ever-increasing quality of bagpipers throughout North America.