Students, faculty and staff may soon notice a sound coming from the stage area of Building 8 that some may have never heard before.
Bagpipes may be heard playing on Wednesday Jan. 25 as a way “to let people know something’s coming,” said Paul Carbonaro, coordinator of the English as a Second Language Program.
From 12 to 1 p.m. a presentation will be given about Scotland by Charlie Setterfield, associate professor in the Architectural Technology Department, as a part of the International Series at Sinclair Community College.
Carbonaro is “75 percent sure” that bagpipes will be a part of the presentation. The instrument will be played by Jake Kittel, the communications officer with the Sinclair Police. Kittel began playing the bagpipes in 2005.
“I don’t think you can talk about Scotland without talking about the bagpipes,” said Kittel by email.
“I hope everyone learns a little more about the instrument and its music,” said Kittel.
Besides exposure to the bagpipes, food that is specific to Scotland will be served as part of a buffet. However, haggis will not be a part of the menu, said Carbonaro.
Carbonaro described the presentation as informal, giving those who attend a “boost in geographical and cultural awareness.”
“I want people to see Scotland through Charlie’s Setterfield’s eyes,” said Carbonaro.
Setterfield plans to discuss both his personal experience with a group of students and fellow faculty members in Scotland last August and Clan Sinclair. Clan Sinclair is the traditional organization of the Sinclair family.
“What we’re trying to do is strengthen our ties with Clan Sinclair and the cultural legacy of the Sinclairs in the UK and the United States,” said Setterfield.
In August 2011, 10 students and three faculty members, including Setterfield, went to experience not just Scotland but London and engage in an archeological exploration at Castle Sinclair Grinigoe. Setterfield said that the goal of the trip was to give students a Scottish experience, meet with the Sinclair family members and commemorate Sinclair’s founding 125 years ago.
Setterfield plans to include pictures during his presentation and is hoping that students who attended the trip last year will attend.
Setterfield is also hoping to let people know about the history that is part of Sinclair.
“I want them [those who attend] to know that we have a history,” as one of the oldest colleges in the country, said Setterfield. “We’re not just young kids on a block; we actually have some history to us.”
Future presentations, are scheduled through May as part of the International Series, said Carbonaro. The presentations are always held on Wednesdays in the same location and at the same time as the forthcoming presentation about Scotland. Countries to be highlighted in the future include Egypt in February, Brazil in March, India in April and Peru in May.
If anyone is interested in learning more about the presentation highlighting Scotland or any of the future presentations, they may contact Carbonaro directly by phone at (937) 512-3099 or by email at paul.carbonaro@sinclair.edu.
