Notre Dame Academy’s current musical, Brigadoon, has been getting very positive reviews, and teacher Mr. Chris Gray has been a big reason for it.

            It is not often that a teacher or adult is in the cast of a high school musical, but an exception was made for Mr. Gray, thanks to his experience playing the bagpipes.

            Mr. Gray has been around bagpipes since he was “in the womb,” and learned how to play from his father when he was just eight years old.

            His father had lived in Chicago, a city with many bagpipers, and had learned how to play, and his mother was Scottish, so Mr. Gray had always wanted to learn.

            “That tradition has always meant a lot to me. I remember when I got my first kilt, and I wore it to school. A kid at recess asked me why I was wearing a dress, and before I knew it we were in a classic schoolyard scrap,” Mr. Gray said. “I had to show my Scottish pride.”

            Mr. Gray said that since he began playing, he has enjoyed it.

            Some people practice for three hours every night, while others practice once a week, but Mr. Gray feels that it is less important how much time he practices, because when he is playing, he is enjoying himself.

            When Mr. Gray first heard that Notre Dame was putting on Brigadoon, he knew he wanted to help.

            “Playing in the show Brigadoon is on a lot of bagpipers’ bucket lists because it has that significance of tradition,” Mr. Gray said.

            Before long, he was asked to play the bagpipes, and he jumped at the opportunity.

During his scene, Mr. Gray plays four pieces known as traditional Scottish laments.

            Many audience members have claimed that it is their favorite scene.

            “When Mr. Gray played, it sent shivers up my spine,” senior Charlie Kelly said. “It was really powerful.”

            On Sunday afternoon, during the matinee performance, something really special happened.

            His father, the man who had taught him to play, was sitting in the audience.

            Mr. Gray dedicated the show to him, and using his father’s bagpipes, performed brilliantly.

            “No matter how good anyone is at piping, they can not always be sure that the pipes will sound perfect and the air will flow the right way,” Mr. Gray said. “When everything is hitting that perfect sound, I like to say the ladies are out.”

            On Sunday, when Mr. Gray walked out on stage with full Scottish pride, he knew that the ladies were out.

            “It was the climax for me, knowing that my father was there and that everything sounded just right.”

            Mr. Gray has said that it is definitely unique being a staff member in the cast.

            The first day of rehearsal, he remembers seeing some of the cast looking uncomfortable in their outfits, trying to act their parts.

            He told them that he had just come from Woodman’s (grocery store) in his kilt.

“When I’m in a kilt, I’m not in costume, and I just wanted to help them be their character and walk with pride on stage.”

            Mr. Gray has spent most of his life playing the bagpipes, even competing and winning in many competitions, but he said playing in the musical has been a real pleasure for him.

            He has proven that he loves playing, and has accepted his “fierce identity” as a bagpiper.

            “It is that idea of self-acceptance and belonging, and strength in spite of struggle,” Mr. Gray said.

            He has done an excellent job playing for the musical, and many have been amazed at his unique talent.

            As the musical wraps up, Mr. Gray and the rest of the Brigadoon cast will savor the experience.

            This weekend’s audience will no doubt be stunned by the music Mr. Gray makes on stage, and perhaps, just one more time, the ladies will be out.