Westlake student Abbey Rhodes had a memorable honour this week when she performed with the City of Auckland Pipe Band at an official welcome for the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Scotland, The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, during his visit to New Zealand.
The welcome took place at the summit of Maungawhau Mt Eden, where the visiting delegation was greeted by the band ahead of their attendance at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Eden Park this weekend. Abbey also had the opportunity to meet the British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Iona Thomas OBE.
Abbey is the band’s Leading Side Drummer, one of the youngest musicians in New Zealand to hold that role in a competing pipe band. For the welcome, she led the band in the iconic piece Highland Cathedral, alongside several other tunes performed for the official party.
“I was a little nervous when the black diplomatic car rolled up,” Abbey said, “but it was exciting to meet someone so important and play for them.”
During the visit, the Secretary of State asked Abbey about her drumming, which she has been doing for seven years. When asked why she chose the drum, she answered, “Because my fingers were too stubby to be a bagpiper!”
Abbey described the experience as unforgettable and was proud to represent both her band and the wider community at such a significant international moment.