Local pipe band given “rare” opportunity to entertain Aberdeen crowds alongside global superstar Andre Rieu.
The Deeside Caledonia Pipe Band joined Andre Rieu and his orchestra on stage at the P&J Live last night.
Competing piper Rikki Evans said although the band has played concerts all over the world, the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd with the Dutch violinist was “very rare”.
Mr Evans was contacted by Rieu’s production team back in August through his company Alba Bagpipes to see if they could organise a pipe band for the Aberdeen concert.
Because the Aberdonian is a competing member of the Deeside Caledonia Pipe Band he said they were his “natural choice”.
Through this, four members of the band were invited to play at two Rieu concerts in Romania in February and March.
During the trip to Cluj, the 36-year-old asked Rieu how his team came to contact Alba Bagpipes to which he replied they had simply Googled pipers in Aberdeen.
Standing ovations for ’emotional’ pipe performances
Rieu enchants crowds with his different take on classical music and uses gospel singers and pipe bands as well as the orchestra to do so.
During his Aberdeen show the Deeside Caledonia Pipe Band mesmerised fans with a special rendition of Highland Cathedral.
The pipes, playing with classical music in the background, brought a different element to the traditional song. Members of the band’s family were in the audience and said many found it to be a “very emotional” performance.
The band also played Amazing Grace and was rewarded with a standing ovation for both songs.
“To actually play in your hometown, that was great,” Mr Evans said. “Especially given the size of the P&J Live – it was really good to be a part of that.
“With pipe bands, you play concerts all over the world, but you very seldom get a home concert certainly a big venue like P&J Live.
“Getting the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd was very special.”
Rieu invites north-east pipers to his hometown
Members of the pipe band have played in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo as well as in front of special guests – including royalty.
However, Rieu is one of the biggest names in music they have worked with.
After the concert, Rieu personally asked if the pipe band would play in Maastricht, his hometown.
There are 12 shows throughout July and the outdoor event is his biggest concert.
Now, members are looking forward to “another wee trip” and will get to play alongside pipers and drummers from the Netherlands.
Mr Evans finished: “He came up to us at the afterparty and said he was so impressed and he wants us to come to Maastricht.
“The funny thing is, the production team said they already had all their numbers but because we impressed them so much they said we would be the ‘cherry on the cake’.
“So that’s another wee trip, hopefully.”
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