Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust officially launches

A lasting commemoration to one of the world’s most beloved pipers will be officially launched on June 5 with the start of the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust. The new Trust will raise funds “for the promotion of piping and other forms of traditional music in Scotland, with a particular emphasis on young musicians,” according to a statement from the organization, which is chaired by Ian G. Duncan, brother of the late piper.

The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust’s aims:

• The advancement of education of residents of Scotland under the age of 30 years by encouraging participation in and the study of all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe
• The advancement of the arts and culture of Scotland by promoting the performance, study and composition of all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe
• To encourage the attainment of high standards of performance and innovative composition in relation to all forms of traditional music and in particular the music of the Great Highland Bagpipe

Among others on the board of directors are Iain Green, head of Greentrax Recording, who will serve as Secretary, and Gary West, presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s popular Pipeline broadcast, who will be Vice-Chair.

The organization also announced four fundraising projects:

On Saturday, September 29, 2007, a fund-raising concert at the Perth Concert Hall in Perth, Scotland, will take place. “A National Treasure: A Celebration of the Music of Gordon Duncan” promises to bring various performers from the piping and Celtic folk music scenes together to celebrate Duncan’s “music, his influence and his immense contribution to Scotland’s musical landscape.” Among others, featured artists will include Dougie MacLean, Session A9, Duncan Chisholm, Ross Ainslie, Jarlath Henderson and Ally Hutton. Tickets are available from the Perth Concert Hall’s website and are priced starting at £15.

The “Name That Gordon-Tune Raffle” will allow donors to have a chance at naming a “cracking” composition by Gordon Duncan that was left untitled. The £1 tickets will be on sale at various UK piping events this summer, and the winner will be drawn at the September 29 concert.

A new CD, Just for Gordon, will be released in September of this year on the Greentrax Recordings label. The album will include several of Gordon Duncan’s best live performances captured over the years, including those from the Lorient Festival and BBC Radio Scotland. All royalties will go to the Trust.

Ian Duncan is also coordinating the compilation and publication of a collection of his brother’s original compositions. Gordon Duncan’s Tunes will bring to print approximately 50 of his works, many of which have never been heard, with all proceeds going to the Trust

Those wishing to donate to the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust may do so via the Trust’s website or by sending directly to The Treasurer, c/o Greentrax Recordings Ltd., Cockenzie Business Centre, Edinburgh Road, Cockenzie, East Lothian, EH32 0XL.

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