Nottingham student entertains thousands across the world with his bagpipes

sam the bagpiper

A Nottingham student has been travelling all around the world entertaining thousands of people with his bag-piping skills.

19-year-old Sam Johnson is a French and Spanish student at Nottingham Trent University who for the last seven years has visited countries like France, Romania and even China wowing crowds with his bag-piping talent.

Sam, who is originally from Sheffield has lived, worked and studied in Nottingham for the last year.

Mr Johnson’s great great grandfather was a champion bagpiper in Scotland and it is clear Sam inherited the passion and was quick to join the Sheffield Pipe Band.

Video: Sam performing in Belgium with the City of Sheffield Pipe Band. 

When Sam was younger, he took part in a lot of competitions but has always had aspirations of taking his bag-piping further.

He said: “I play at weddings and other functions as a way of generating money but I also like going abroad and doing festivals.

I just got back from playing in Romania, which was a great experience.

Sam Johnson, Bagpiper and Nottingham Trent University student.

Sam took part in a folk festival in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, called ‘The International Festival of Music and Traditions’.

He said: “The festival was shown on television all around Europe. It was a a four day festival with all expenses paid for, like when I went to China.

“I enjoyed being able to meet new people and experience Romanian culture. I have to say that Bucharest is a great city with some amazing architecture and the people were very welcoming.”

When Sam first arrived in Nottingham he did encounter a problem that may have stopped him being able to practice his music.

The pipes are so loud, they are way too noisy to play in halls but thankfully technology sorted that out.

Sam Johnson.

The chanter on a bagpipe is the part where the note comes out. Sam has an electronic chanter which comes with headphones meaning he was still able to practice.

Sam performed in front of 10,000 people at the International Heritage Festival in Chengdu, South China and admitted that was the best trip he’s ever been on with his bagpipes.

He shared a hotel with African Zulu drummers and Colombian dancers and was thrilled to experience so many different cultures.

The talented bag pipe player also performed in front of Julie Hesmondhalgh, better known as Hayley Cropper from ITV’s Coronation Street alongside his highland dancing sister.

Sam Johnson can be contacted by email at [email protected] and is available to hire for events in Nottinghamshire.

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