How the venerable bagpipe found a home with the talented musicians of our Women Police Pipes and Drums Band.
By: Amanda Wong
Known for its soulful, stirring and utterly unique sound, the Scottish bagpipe is frequently played by uniformed bands at major ceremonies and celebrations. Firmly rooted in the Scottish musical tradition, the bagpipe first travelled to Southeast Asia in the 1800s and, in the present day, continues to enchant new audiences through the performances of talented musicians, such as those in the Women Police Pipes and Drums (WPPD) Band.
Call of the Bagpipe
Among the WPPD Band members who’ve helped to carry on the bagpiping tradition in the Singapore Police Force (SPF) is Station Inspector (SI) Julizah Binti Kassim. “During my entrance interview, an officer from the WPPD Band asked if I’d like to join them,” she recalled. “Since I played the keyboard as a teenager, I thought I’d give the bagpipes a shot. And this turned out to be the best spontaneous decision of my life!”
Beginners on the bagpipe have to start out learning basic finger placements on the practice chanter before progressing to practise on the instrument itself. “When I first started out, I could only produce sound from the reeds,” said SI Julizah. “It took several months before I could manage all three drones and the reeds with proficiency.”
Piping up a Harmony
The bagpipe is no ordinary instrument -- it takes skill, strength and stamina. Between complex finger placements, continuous airflow and simultaneous handling of the drones and reeds, playing the bagpipe requires a high degree of coordination and endurance.
As bagpipers will attest, it’s also physically demanding as both strength and stamina are needed to sustain the air pressure within the bag and achieve the right tune.
Beginner bagpipers are often surprised by the technical difficulty of the instrument, but those who persevere are rewarded with an exhilarating musical experience. “I’m glad I carried on practising,” said SI Julizah. “Playing the bagpipe now brings me so much joy!”
The satisfaction of mastering the bagpipe includes being able to play more sophisticated musical pieces. “I have a special, emotional connection with the enchanting melody of ‘Highland Cathedral', which was composed in 1982,” shared SI Julizah. "It brings me a profound sense of peace whenever I play it.”
A Force to be Reckoned With
Formed in August 1972, the WPPD Band started out performing alongside other band ensembles like the SPF Military Band. Quickly rising to prominence, the WPPD Band has entertained audiences around the world, performing at international events such as the renowned World Police Band Concert Series in Japan, Bangkok and Myanmar.
The WPPD Band stands out not just for being the only uniformed service band that plays the bagpipe in Singapore, but also for being the only all-female uniformed service band. “It makes us unique; there’s no other military band in Singapore that has such a combination,” SI Julizah said. “Through our music, we show that musical excellence is about dedication, not gender.”
In addition to her musical duties, SI Julizah is a committed Deputy Team Leader who mentors her fellow Band members. “I do my best to be a good leader and to offer support to my musicians,” she shared. “I’m passionate about creating a cohesive and capable musical section.”
An Enduring Tradition
With its stirring interplay of bagpipes and drums, the WPPD Band has entertained people from all walks of life. “It’s always heartwarming to see the smiles of the audience during our performances,” SI Julizah said. “Through music, we hope to show another side of the SPF, and reinforce the ties that bind us.”
Practice sessions can be challenging, to say the least. “Long hours under the hot sun can take a toll,” SI Julizah said. “This is even more so for certain performances when we have to coordinate with multiple musical groups to sound like a unified whole.”
But SI Julizah has no regrets about her decision, made almost 30 years ago, to take up the bagpipe. “It’s such a unique instrument and there aren’t many bagpipers in Singapore, much less in the region,” she said. “I feel happy and fulfilled to carry on its culture and tradition within the SPF!”
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