Students at Rhame Avenue School got an early taste of St. Patrick’s Day on March 10 when Joe Beyrer, director of the pipe band at Iona University, visited the school to share the music and traditions of bagpiping. Beyrer’s wife, Gail, a fourth-grade teacher at Rhame, helped organize the presentation.
During the visit, Beyrer spoke with students about the history behind bagpipes and traditional Scottish clothing. He brought several kilts for students to see up close and explained how different tartan patterns represent specific Scottish clans. He also showed them a solid-colored kilt, noting that this style is traditionally Irish.
Students also learned some interesting facts about the clothing. Beyrer explained that the phrase “the whole nine yards” is believed to come from the amount of fabric needed to make a traditional kilt. He added that the word “kilt” once meant “little house,” because travelers in the past sometimes used the garment as a makeshift shelter and blanket.
The presentation was also personal for the Beyrer family. Gail Beyrer not only arranged the visit but also performs in the pipe band with her husband on the swinging drum. She even made history with the group as its first female drum major.
Beyrer told students he first became interested in bagpipes by watching his father play. His dedication eventually earned him a college scholarship, and today he directs the pipe band at Iona University.
The visit ended with a memorable moment as Beyrer played his bagpipes while walking through the school’s hallways. Students and teachers stepped out of their classrooms to listen, turning the afternoon into a lively early celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
