In many ways, 2008 may prove to be a watershed year for the world of piping and drumming. From an avant garde medley that challenged conventional thinking, to a pipe band of world-class players that confronted the way we think about conventional bands, to bass and tenor drummers who braved the Scottish status quo . . . the year will be remembered by many as a sea change – depending, of course, on whether these changes hold up over time, or become forgotten quirks of a bygone era.
pipes|drums thought that we would consider the more prominent news stories of the year to help put things in perspective. You could of course peruse our archive story-by-story, but we wanted to make it easier for you with this all-in-one round-up.
We hope that you enjoy this snapshot of the year.
The year started with excellent news, when
Iain MacDonald of Regina, Saskatchewan, announced that he would publish
a collection of original music that included new compositions by Donald MacLeod. / A portent of things to come, perhaps, when
Leading-Drummer Matt Carter departed the Grade 1 Fredericton Society of St. Andrew Pipe Band, a group that enjoyed great success in Grade 2, but struggled in its 2007 transition to the top pipe band category. /
Dr. William Donaldson collaborated with the National Libraries of Scotland to make rare and previously
inaccessible piobaireachd manuscripts available for free on the Web. The move marked Donaldson's continued recognition
of the power of the Internet to share heretofore virtually unavailable material with all interested. / The
Fredericton Society of St. Andrew Pipe Band applied to its home association to
move back to Grade 2, and the request was quickly granted. Fredericton began its rebuilding process, joining the list of many bands unable to sustain the difficult transition to Grade 1. / The piping and drumming world was enthralled by news that many of the world's most
talented pipers and drummers were forming to create a band that would compete only at the 2008 World Championships. Led by the redoubtable
Roddy MacLeod, the band featured more than 15 Highland Society of London Gold Medals, numerous Clasps and not a few World Pipe Band Championships in its ranks. /
Jim Kilpatrick, Tyler Fry and
Scott Currie got together to launch
Innovation Promotions, their own workshop- and recital-running organization, breaking away from the restrictions placed on them by more established organizations. The group announced its first event in London, Ontario, in May. / One of the world's most consistently excellent pipes bands,
Boghall & Bathgate staged a successful concert in Glasgow as part of the mid-winter Celtic Connections festival.
