Nestor Wu / Edge reporter

In a nation made from many different cultures, many people new to Canada might find it difficult to feel at home. As they adjust to their new life, they might find comfort in doing the things they love, or exploring opportunities to try something new. With that, I would like to retell my dad, Zhongxi Wu’s story about how he found his passion for bagpipes as a Canadian immigrant.

When my dad originally came to Canada as an immigrant, he planned on teaching the suona, a traditional Chinese instrument that my dad played professionally when he grew up in China.

The suona is a Chinese folk instrument made with a wood tube-like structure, and a brass horn. The suona utilizes a double reed to form vibrations that create large sounds similarly to the oboe, and was commonly played for weddings, funerals and parades.

“After I immigrated to Canada, teaching is slightly different because to you have to know English, and my English wasn’t as good at the time,” said my dad.

“One of my English teachers at the time told me that the best way of learning English is to get into western communities, that way you can get better with English through practice.”

My dad then thought of many opportunities that he could do to hopefully strengthen his English speaking. One day, he was invited to perform his suona at a Chinese New Year variety show at the Michael J. Fox Theatre. While backstage, he heard a distinct sound that sounded just like his instrument.

“I followed the sound behind the theatre and there was a whole group playing the same instrument that made that sound, and I had no idea what the instrument was even called,” my dad mentioned.

“From there I met Milton Cameron, who introduced me to the bagpipes and how they worked. This is where I thought that I could maybe learn the bagpipes and even join their pipe band.”

After that day, my dad kept talking to Cameron and as their relationship became stronger, he then found out that Cameron had been to China and bought a suona, but he never knew how to play it.

Image of my dad with the bagpipes with Milton Cameron with the suona

“I made a deal with Milton that if he would teach me the bagpipes for free, I would in turn, teach him the suona,” said my dad.

As my dad continued to improve day by day, he eventually decided that he would join the same band that Cameron played with when he first met him, the J. P. Fell Pipe Band.

My dad spent the next couple of days practicing each piece where he would eventually be tested to play and memorize them in an audition. He passed, and was finally able to play alongside Cameron in the band.

“When I joined the band, I quickly found out that I was the only Chinese person there. However, everyone was very welcoming and respectful to me, and it made my time very enjoyable.”

My dad continued to play with the J. P. Fell Pipe Band for a couple of years, and had the chance to meet many other pipers along with Cameron. Over the years, my dad played in countless parades, weddings, and funerals, which made him feel less homesick because he used to do the same in China. However, after several years, my dad thought of pursuing something more challenging.

“One thing about the J. P. Fell Pipe Band, is that I got really used to the music. After awhile I felt like I needed something more challenging,” my dad added.

“When I found the Delta Police Pipe Band (DPPB), I found out that the music that they played was a little more challenging for me, they also got to go on trips to different places around the world, doing tattoos where they toured and performed at the same time.”

Video of the Windsor tattoo where the DPPB played in 2011

Tattoos are large international military music performances hosted by countries and cities around the world.

Luckily for my dad, this was just what he needed.

“When I went through the process of joining, I had to learn and memorize an inch thick book of music where I was also tested with one of the sergeants of the DPPB. Then after that, I was basically accepted into the band,” my dad mentioned.

Shortly after joining, my dad had a ton of fun meeting new people, and most importantly, going on to tour to many places with the band. Germany, England, Switzerland and the Netherlands were some of the many places our family visited when the band went to tattoos.

One event that particularly stood out to my dad was when his band got to play with Paul McCartney in downtown Vancouver.

“One band practice, there was some kind of news, top, top secret news. We weren’t allowed to go home to tell anyone about it. They said, ‘We are going to play for Paul McCartney!’ Everybody was so excited, but only I was wondering, who is Paul McCartney?”

After my dad did an internet search and realized who Paul McCartney was (a member of the Beatles), he still didn’t think Sir Paul was as big of a deal as Michael Jackson. This was because when the Beatles were at their prime in the 60’s and 70’s, China was still closed to western culture due to famine and various political events. On the other hand, Michael Jackson was one of the first pop stars to be introduced in China during the 80’s when my dad was a teenager. Michael Jackson is still idolized today in Chinese culture.

However, when my dad had the chance to meet Paul McCartney, he was blown away.

Photo of my dad on stage
View of the audience during the event
My dad backstage

“He was an amazing singer. He can sing like, an entire concert by himself. Like, 40 songs, and 10 to 15 encores.  And he was over 70 years old!” my dad exclaimed.

Nowadays, my dad holds the rank of pipe sergeant in the DPPB, and he is responsible for organizing and composing music for the band.

As he reflects to his journey as a piper, he talks about his experiences as the only Asian person in the whole band.

“I have to make sure that because I’m an immigrant newcomer, whatever I do, I have to do the best I can because I’m representing the Asian community as the only Chinese person in the band.”

My dad’s journey discovering his new passion gave him something more than just a hobby. Learning the bagpipes helped him meet new friends, travel worldwide, learn about culture in Canada, and even meet celebrities. It shows that there are possibilities all around. One just needs to follow one’s passion, be open and willing to adapt, and build new relationships.

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