House of Gordon USA
The Epic Project
The Epic Project seeks to encourage promising young Pipers and Drummers who might
not be able to afford Highland Attire or high-quality Instruments to continue their Celtic
musical careers.
Promising young pipers or drummers must be
Recommended as a worthy recipient by a Drum
Major, Pipe Major, Bagpipe Instructor or Drum
Instructor. Recommendations must be emailed to
Richard King at richard@silvercap.co.uk
Susan Gordon Rose created The Epic Project in
2015 with the support of many fellow Gordon
Clansmen. The first beneficiary of The Epic Project
was Austin Diepenhorst, a 16-year-old Grade 1
Piper who is blind. A truly talented young man, he
is a most deserving recipient and was nominated
for the award by his instructors and pipe major.
Since receiving his kit, Austin has gone on to win
the very prestigious 20th annual George Sherriff
Memorial Amateur Invitational Solo Piping
Competition in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Only 9
pipers from across North America were invited to
compete and Austin was named Overall Winner
after placing 1st in both the March-Strathspey-Reel
Competition and the 6/8 March Competition.
The Epic Project Recipient for 2018 is Filemon
Tan of Houston, TX age 17. Filemon is currently
attending, Saint Thomas Episcopal School in
Houston Texas, where he is the Pipe Major of the
school’s pipe band. He is a Grade 1 Piper and
competes across the USA, Filemon will receive
Uniforms or “Kits” from MyKiltmaker.com owned by
Susan Gordon Rose a House of Gordon Member.
The use of which, he will be able to use to further
his career as a Bagpiper. He will also receive Gifts
of Piping Accessories for use from HighlandReeds.
com. owned by Bruce Hitching B.E.M., and St.
Andrews University of North Carolina has added to
his Gifting a very generous Scholarship to the
University arranged for by Bill Caudell.
20th Sherriff Memorial champion Austin
Diepenhorst receiving a set of McCallum
pipes from judge Ian Duncan