While tuning his bagpipes, Farrarmere’s Cameron Wittstock’s fingers glide over the chanter with ease, making him look like a well-versed old hand of the art.
The Grade 10 learner from Ashton College, who joined Benoni High’s pipe band while still in primary school, raked in the awards at the recent Scottish Piping Society of Southern Africa’s 64th Annual Solo Contest.
It was the second consecutive year that the self-proclaimed introvert not only won all three sections of the novice competition but was again awarded the HW Kinsey Overall Novice Player of the Contest.
Hailing from a long line of proud Scottish descent, Cameron admits he only joined the band after seeing a friend participate during a mass gathering.
“I wanted to play the drums, but upon trying them, I realised it was not for me,” he said.
“I then moved on to the pipes and discovered my true passion.”
Wearing his maternal grandfather’s kilt, worn at his wedding in 1971, Cameron says he is proud to wear clan MacLachlan’s tartan when competing in solo competitions.
“My journey to mastering the pipes was one of hard work and tons of frustration,” he said.
“I joined the band shortly before the 2019 Covid lockdown was announced. I spent most of the time practising, often to the dismay of our neighbours. But the tunes eventually started flowing, and I started playing at 19:00 daily.”
As an avid hockey player, Cameron says being a piper requires skill and coordination, and a healthy respiratory system is also vital.
Cameron recently joined Ashton’s President’s Award programme which requires participants to make themselves available for regular community work.
“I use my piping experience to play on request at community events or funerals,” he said.
“I like sharing my passion with others who appreciate it.”
Of his plans, Cameron says he is still not sure what he will study, but his pipes will never be too far away.
“I am not sure if it is my heritage or simply the flow of the notes, but there is something about traditional Scottish music that stirs emotions deep in your soul,” he said.
“Our band, MacTalla Senior Band, wears the same kilt as our clan. I look forward to soon being part of that section to play in my grandfather’s kilt.
“My crowning achievement would be to one day play at the opening of the Scottish Shinty Games, a game similar to hockey played among rival villages.”
The BHS Pipe Band is open to anyone outside the school interested in joining the band.
For more information, call Sabastian Potgieter (drumming) on 078 506 2247 or Leighton Pearson (piping) on 064 904 6383.
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