#ThrowBackThursday: Billy Villiers – a master bagpiper
Listen to the marvelous maestro this Sunday (November 14) at the Remembrance Day parade.
Enticing nostalgia in Newcastillians, #ThrowBackThursday takes you back a year in time.
One year ago, the sound of bagpipes conjured up the image of a kilt-wearing, argyle-socked Scotsman merrily piping on the rolling hills of Scotland.
Read full story here:
Billy Villiers is a third generation of pipers in the Villiers family.
Billy Bagpipes was the humble name given to a bashful man who mastered bringing joy and entertainment to all who lent an ear to his talent.
Billy gained his inspiration from his forefathers and it ignited a spark of curiosity to attempt his hand at playing the bagpipes as well.
It was only a matter of time before Billy’s interest in playing bagpipes grew into a passion.
When he was 13 years old, he was already accompanying his father to competitions, playing alongside him.
After his stint in the army, he explored various places abroad, such as Tel Aviv, Israel for six months where he volunteered at a kibbutz, meeting people from all around the globe
“Wherever I went, I took my pipes with me. Music is a fantastic art to possess.”
Billy now plays at various events in Newcastle, such as municipal cultural events, parties, weddings, Remembrance Day parades and even funerals.
Billy wishes to one day pass on the piper gene to his only son, three-year-old Mark, making him the fourth generation heir of the pipes Billy received from his grandfather.
