This article is featured in the 2024 Homecoming Special Issue.
At nine years old, Joshua Marks ’96 first picked up the bagpipes — an instrument that would later embed him in Dartmouth tradition. A former member of the Dartmouth marching band, the College asked Marks to play the bagpipes for the Freshman Sweep — a Homecoming parade through Hanover that collects freshmen on its way to the bonfire — his junior year. The next year, Marks played at another big event: his Commencement ceremony. Nearly three decades later, the New York resident continues to make the trip to Hanover for the two events each year, revisiting his time at Dartmouth through his trusty bagpipes. The Dartmouth sat down with Marks to discuss his experience bagpiping as a Dartmouth student and alumnus.
How did you first get involved with the bagpipes, and what drew you to perform at Homecoming?
JM: I started taking lessons when I was nine. I was not a good student, so I never really went anywhere with it, but I played other musical instruments. My freshman summer at Dartmouth, I did not have a banking or consulting internship, and in one of my few moments of actual intelligence, I realized I would never have eight to 10 weeks of mostly free time ever again in my life. I found a bagpipe teacher and went every week for a lesson and spent summer break learning how to play.
My freshman fall — the fall of 1992 — during the week before Homecoming, there were volunteer work gangs that were putting together the bonfire. At night, you were supposed to guard the bonfire so the upperclassmen didn’t tear it down, and this one Wednesday night, there was a brawl. There were catapults with eggs and water guns. After that fall, which was the last time that ever happened, the College started the Freshman Sweep, which has helped make the bonfire more organized. The tradition has been around for quite some time — this is now my 31st year for Freshman Sweep, so it’s been three decades. My junior fall, the College contacted me — this sounds crazy — and said, “Would you be willing to play the bagpipes for Freshman Sweep?”
I said, “Sure, why not.” In the fall of 1995, I piped for the freshmen. The route has evolved over the years, but it has worked. That’s sort of the condensed version of how I ended up leading the Freshman Sweep.
How long do you plan to keep playing at Homecoming?
JM: As long as they’ll have me back, and I’m physically able to do it.
How do you prepare to play at Homecoming, both mentally and physically?
JM: I play with a band, so we practice most Monday nights, and I try to make sure the pipes are in shape between Commencement and Homecoming. Homecoming is actually a longer amount of playing, compared to Commencement. It’s a good 20 to 25 minutes of straight marching. This year, I’m being joined by a junior, Ishan Prasad ’26. He also joined me last year — he’s a great player, and it’s a joy and a privilege to have another piper join me.
How does it feel to perform in front of such a large crowd? How do you handle the pressure?
JM: It’s a lot of fun. There’s not a huge amount of pressure. Sometimes, mechanically, it is hard to keep the instrument going, because it is a lot of air. As long as the bagpipes are in relatively good shape, and they’re agreeing with me, it’s a fun night. It’s hard to beat the bonfire on Dartmouth Homecoming night.
Has your preparation changed since you started to play the Sweep in 1994?
JM: When I was in my 20s, I’d have some scotch at the house before I played, but my body will not tolerate that anymore.
What is your favorite part about playing the bagpipes? Do you have any memorable moments from your performances?
JM: The instrument can be very, very finicky and temperamental. When everything’s in order and it all sounds good, and if my life allowed it, I could play for a while and be very happy, just on my own.
There is something about coming up Wheelock Street playing the alma mater that is always fun.
It’s always a lot of fun to pass by each dorm, especially the new dorms, picking up each freshman on the Sweep.
Is there a specific song or tune you most enjoy playing during Homecoming?
JM: I enjoy them all. Ask any bagpiper, and they will say the two tunes that are basically like the instrument’s metaphorical stairway to heaven are “Scotland the Brave” and “Amazing Grace.” Yes, we do have to crank those out.
You play a key role in undergraduates’ first Homecoming. Tell me about your own freshman year Homecoming experience.
JM: It was different because I was with the marching band. We were on the Green. We were playing on Dartmouth Hall lawn pre-renovation. I do remember that in college, they used to be a little more tolerant of touching the bonfire when I was a freshman. Now, there are fewer opportunities for freshmen to run in and touch the fire. You can get in very big trouble. I feel like in the 1990s and the early 2000s, when you didn’t have the fence around the fire, there was an element of Darwinist thinking from the freshman class. It was like, would you do it? How risky were you? How much did you want to show up to class on Monday with 50% of your body singed off? Not a lot of good decisions were being made there. So yes, I do remember being exhorted to touch the fire.
How has the bonfire changed since you graduated in 1996?
JM: It’s definitely become more family-friendly. I think it’s a lot safer. It is a little bit shorter. I don’t think that that is a terrible decision. I think the vibes are better. The freshmen seem to have an equally good time.
What advice would you give to a future bagpiper who may continue this tradition?
JM: Dress warmly. No joke. Enjoy every moment — it all passes very, very quickly.
Ishan Prasad ’26 was one of three editors for the Homecoming Special Issue. He was not involved in the writing or production of this article.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
