There is no tune more requested or more beloved than Amazing Grace. Originally a hymn, it became a bagpipe staple in the 1970s and has since become the “unofficial anthem” for memorials and celebrations alike. For the North Shore Highlanders, playing this tune in Port Dover is always a moving experience.
The power of Amazing Grace lies in its simplicity. On the pipes, it begins with a single piper playing the first verse alone, before the rest of the band joins in with a swelling harmony. Whether we’re playing it at a local funeral or as the finale to a summer concert, you can always see the impact it has on the crowd. It’s a song that speaks to hope and resilience.
We never get tired of playing it. Even though we’ve performed it hundreds of times, the reaction from our Port Dover neighbors makes it feel fresh every time. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do—using music to provide comfort, honor our history, and bring a little bit of beauty to Norfolk County.
Want to see the North Shore Highlanders Pipe & Drum Band, Port Dover, Ontario in action?
Catch our next performance in the heart of Norfolk County!