Bagpipe teacher from Uppingham School records a selection of military tunes to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day
A music teacher has recorded a selection of military tunes on the bagpipes to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Ian Hildreth teaches the traditional instrument at Uppingham School.
He took time out from his online Zoom lessons to record the music ahead of today's commemorative celebrations.
Ian said: "Being an ex-soldier I wanted to do something to mark the occasion, and I've got extra time on my hands at the minute.
"The pipes have always been a big part of the Army so I felt it would be good to record something for the big day.
"It's a stirring instrument and all the tunes I recorded are regimental songs."
Ian's Tunes of Glory medley includes Bonnie Dundee, 100 Pipers, The Atholl Highlanders, The Glendaruel Highlanders, Scotland the Brave, Highland Laddie, The Black Bear, We're No Awa Tae Bide Awa and Auld Lang Syne.
He recorded them at his home in Corby, where he has also been playing the bagpipes on a Thursday evening during the weekly clap for the NHS.
He might also play outside his home today during the VE Day celebrations.
Ian was born in Scotland but moved to Corby as a child when his dad took a job at the steel works.
He joined the Army at 16 and served for six years in the Royal Scotch Dragoon Guards.
He went on to work at Weetabix before being offered the teaching job at Uppingham School 15 years ago where he leads a band of 13 pipers.
Ian himself has been playing the bagpipes since the age of seven.
He said: "It's a unique and brilliant sound but a very difficult instrument to learn.
"You don't even touch a set of bagpipes for first nine months until you learn the technique."
Bagpipe beginners start playing on a chanter, which is like a recorder, to learn the finger positions and technique before progressing to bagpipes.
It takes around 18 months to go from a complete beginner to being ready to join a band.
Ian had hoped to be part of a bigger VE Day celebration today.
He said: "This was supposed to be such a big celebration and I would have loved to have played somewhere but sadly that has all been curtailed."
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