At the Pennwest Edinboro campus, there is Scottish representation all around – whether it be Royal Stewart tartan, The Highlands residence halls, or even the iconic 12-foot Fighting Scot statue, “Angus.” But perhaps one of the most authentic aspects of the Scottish experience is the sound of bagpipes.

While most students and faculty have limited experience with the bagpipes prior to visiting Pennwest Edinboro, Palmer Shonk, director of Edinboro Pipes and Drums, was drawn to the unique instrument from a young age.

Shonk grew up in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Edinboro and Ligonier are smaller boroughs with more in common than meets the eye, as both host an annual Highland Games Festival. He remembers attending the Highland Games in Ligonier during childhood and being intrigued by the sound of the pipes.

“I first heard the pipes being played there as a kid and begged my parents to find me a teacher,” Shonk said.

His parents obliged, and he began learning the instrument at age 10.

As Shonk grew up, his love for playing the bagpipes grew as well. He graduated from Wooster College in 2010, where he received scholarship funds to perform at campus events.

Shonk played for eight years in the Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band, which was one of the top pipe bands in North America. During that time, he performed at the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, France. He also competed in the finals of the World Pipe Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Notably, Shonk recorded an acclaimed album, and he currently competes professionally in Canada, the United States and Scotland.

Beyond performing, Shonk enjoys sharing his passion for the pipes with developing musicians. He has been a summer piping instructor at the Ohio Scottish Arts School since 2020, as well as the Northern Academy of Piping and Drumming in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, since 2022. That same year, he was the artistic pipe major of the Cleveland International Tattoo.

Shonk took the reins of Edinboro Pipes and Drums in fall 2024 with the goal of giving students the same wonderful experiences he was granted.

“What drives me to keep teaching is the joy of seeing my students master some new concept or piece of music,” he said.

While Shonk recognizes that some of his students will only play the instrument for a period, he hopes they will reflect on the experience as a rewarding endeavor.

Shonk appreciates the versatility of the instrument, which is commonly played at a plethora of important life events, including graduations, weddings and funerals.

“The music of the bagpipes is usually associated with big changes in people’s lives,” Shonk said.

The same holds true at Edinboro, where students, faculty, staff and guests are met with the reverberating sound of the pipes at orientation, convocation, commencement and more.

“The pipe band at the Edinboro campus helps to facilitate that Fighting Scot mentality by bringing tradition to big events on campus,” he said. “Many students end up thinking about the pipes after they graduate in a nostalgic way.”

 While some may feel hesitant to learn the instrument, Shonk encourages students to become involved in the process. He emphasizes the importance of learning the correct techniques and fundamentals first, while also prioritizing a fun environment.

“Once they have good fundamentals, learning and mastering new music comes more quickly,” Shonk said.

Students interested in joining Edinboro Pipes and Drums and learning more about scholarship opportunities should contact Shonk at shonk_p@pennwest.edu.