|
 |
|
|
 |
Published: August 29, 2010 pipetunes.ca presents . . . Tune of the Month: "The Royal Scottish Pipers' Society"
RATING  Jim McGillivray continues his exclusive series with "The Royal Scottish Pipers' Society," one of the greatest marches ever composed - a tune from the pen of one of history's most elusive and enigmatic subjects, Roderick Campbell. Subscribers to pipes|drums can enjoy a fascinating look into what's known of Campbell's life. Jim McGillivray also provides an instructional sound file of his own playing of the tune on the Deger pipe. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (7) |
 |
Published: August 22, 2010 Bobby Rea: a tribute
RATING The passing of Robert "Bobby" Rea of Belfast on August 13, 2010, marked a milestone in pipe band history. Bobby Rea made a profound contribution to pipe band drumming through his playing and compositions, but perhaps most of all, through his teaching. His pupils include many of today's drumming luminaries, and his impact on style and scoring can be felt at every pipe band event. One of his most famous students, Paul Turner, currently the Lead-Drummer of the Grade 1 Robert Wiseman Dairies-Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and the former Lead-Drummer of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Pipe Band, provided his thoughts on his mentor. He also forwarded a tribute by fellow RUC drummer and Bobby Rea pupil, Mark Armstrong, that was read at the great drummer's funeral on August 18th. Read More | COMMENTS (1) |
|
Published: August 16, 2010 pipes|drums video vault: the 2010 World's Grade 2 Final
RATING With so much attention placed on Grade 1 at the World Pipe Band Championships, it's a shame that other events are often all but ignored. Grade 2 at the 2010 World's was one of the hardest-fought in recent memory, with 39 bands across two heats competing for 12 spots in the Medley Final. We would have loved to listen to the Grade 1 Medley Final, too, but pipes|drums decided that, since the BBC would be covering it amply, we would bring our readers/viewers the entirety of the Grade 2 Final, showcasing selections often every bit as creative as those heard in the top grade and, indeed, several performance not being out of place in Grade 1. We hope that you enjoy these 12 performances, in order . . . Read More | COMMENTS (11) |
 |
Published: June 26, 2010 An American anecdote in Scotland: My what good pipers you have – Part 3
RATING In his final installment to his three-part series, Derek Midgley of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, puts everything into perspective, providing several essential top-five lists to help you get by in the home of Highland piping. From rules of drinking etiquette, to tips for understanding Scots vernacular, to scenic detours in between competitions, Midgley's living the dream and will help you live it, too. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (1) |
 |
Published: June 19, 2010 Cadet band's "Liberation Tour" a living history book for young pipers and drummers
RATING  The journey to Holland by the Pipes & Drums of St. Andrew's College to mark the 65th anniversary of Liberation Day was a fine week of meaningful performances and ceremony for the young pipers and drummers. Never before had these young pipers and drummers experienced such attention and adulation. We feature a photo-rich account of the moving and life-altering experience for the 22 pipers and drummers over that week in May 2010. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (7) |
 |
Published: June 06, 2010 An American anecdote in Scotland: My what good pipers you have - Part 2
RATING Derek Midgley of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, continues with his insights and advice for non-Scottish pipers who want to try their hand at solo competitions in Scotland, but may not know the esoteric and mysterious world that can be the UK solo scene. From finding transportation to sourcing accommodation, from diet recommendations to practice connections, from weathering the ever-changing rain-to-wind-to-sun-to-cold-to-rain conditions to warming up après-games, Midgley sees the lighter side to the heavy-lifting that is the most competitive solo scene on earth. The second part of the series. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (3) |
 |
Published: May 08, 2010 Highland-Fidelity: Celtic music and interest in all things piping flourish in Cuba
RATING What do Ernest Hemingway, gaitas, bodhrans, McCallum Bagpipes and plenty of mojitos have in common? Top pipers James P. Troy and Ryan MacDonald travel to Havana and discover a fascinating world of musical excitement and interest, and a natural attraction to the Highland pipes. Jamie Troy provides his impressions of the eight-day CeltFest Cuba Festival, while Ryan MacDonald offers up her celebrated, sumptuous photography in an extended collection, as well as a video of the action from one of the musical sessions - exclusively for subscribers to pipes|drums Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (2) |
 |
Published: May 03, 2010 pipetunes.ca presents . . . Tune of the Month: "Hills of Alva"
RATING Jim McGillivray continues his exclusive series with "The Hills of Alva," one of the most popular pipe tunes of all time - and one that was not composed by a piper at all, but by an accordionist, Tommy Muirhead. Subscribers to pipes|drums can see one of the only known photos of Muirhead and listen to him playing his composition on the accordion. Jim McGillivray also provides an instructional sound file of his own playing of the tune on the Deger pipe. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (7) |
 |
Published: April 25, 2010 An American anecdote in Scotland: My what good pipers you have
RATING Derek Midgley of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, provides insights and advice for non-Scottish pipers looking to try their hand at solo competitions in Scotland. From finding transportation to sourcing accommodation, from diet recommendations to practice connections, from weathering the ever-changing rain-to-wind-to-sun-to-cold-to-rain conditions to warming up après-games, Midgley sees the lighter side to the heavy-lifting that is the most competitive solo scene on earth. The first in a new series. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (5) |
 |
Published: April 09, 2010 Putting things right - the refurbishment of a vintage set of drones
RATING A play-by-play restoration of a set of 1936 silver and ivory mounted R.G. Lawrie drones by Thomas Doucet, including extensive photos and diagrams and tips from Doucet that may help you prolong the life and quality of your own instrument. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (5) |
 |
Published: February 04, 2010 Chicago 1982: blowing hard in the Windy City
RATING Iain MacDonald looks back at the Chicago PipeFest – a watershed event in the history of world piping and drumming. Included are sound files of Grade 1 performances from the actual 1982 competition. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (15) |
 |
Published: January 17, 2010 Updated: Our fearless forecasts for 2010!
RATING We haul out the p|d crystal ball to predict what will most certainly happen (well, maybe, anyway) in the next 12 months. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (3) |
 |
Published: January 09, 2010 Our musical content and character: results from the pipes|drums Survey
RATING The results from our 2009 study of pipe band competition, including the length of medleys, musical content, band formation and whether the old-Highland warhorse MSR should be sent to the glue factory. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (4) |
 |
Published: December 20, 2009 pipetunes.ca presents . . . Tune of the Month
RATING  Jim McGillivray continues his exclusive series with "The Dream Valley of Glendaruel" Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (9) |
 |
Published: December 13, 2009 Point / counter-point: adding a bass-section judge
RATING A Pro and Con debate for and against adding a new, independent judge just for pipe band mid-sections Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (4) |
 |
Published: November 29, 2009 Photographing the art, Part 3
RATING We bring to you the third installment of Ryan MacDonald's series of photos of pipers and drummers exclusively for pipes|drums subscribers. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (3) |
 |
Published: October 17, 2009 pipetunes.ca presents . . . Tune of the Month
RATING Jim McGillivray continues his exclusive series with "Up To The Line" Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (6) |
 |
Published: October 05, 2009 What the best pipers are playing: a pipes|drums survey
RATING Ever wonder what kinds of chanters, reeds, drones and bags the best pipers in the world are playing? For subscribers only, we have the deets! Read More | COMMENTS (14) |
 |
Published: September 21, 2009 How to quit a band: a pipes|drums primer
RATING  We speak with several of today's most prominent pipe band leaders for their views on the best – and worst – ways to depart a pipe band Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (6) |
 |
Published: August 24, 2009 Unqualified disaster: leaders comment on World's challenges
RATING The World's Qualifier, the luck of the weather and the difference between 'going through' and going home Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (20) |
 |
Published: August 22, 2009 pipetunes.ca presents . . . Tune of the Month
RATING The Green Hills of Tyrol: thank an Italian Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (6) |
 |
Published: August 13, 2009 Masterful Medleys: Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia
RATING The fianl installment of our exclusive series highliighting selections of Grade 1 bands competing at the 2009 World's Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (1) |
 |
Published: August 10, 2009 Masterful Medleys: Oran Mor
RATING We continue our 2009 series with P-M Andrew Douglas's analysis of the selection that the Oran Mor Pipe Band of Albany, New York, has prepared for the World's. Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (2) |
 |
Published: August 06, 2009 Masterful Medleys: Dowco Triumph Street
RATING P-M David Hilder of the Grade 1 Vancouver-based band provides his analysis of their 2009 selection Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (0) |
 |
Published: August 03, 2009 Masterful Medleys 2009: Peel Regional Police
RATING Grade 1 bands give pipes|drums subscribers an up-close look into the content, structure and orchestration of the medleys that they're working on for the 2009 World Pipe Band Championships Subscribers Only: Read More | COMMENTS (5) | |
| |
|
|
|
