North America’s top-12 amateurs revving up for 15th annual Sherriff Invitational
The year’s best amateur solo pipers in North America are once again gearing up for the annual George Sherriff Amateur Invitational Solo Piping Championship – the 15th year for the event – on Saturday, November 20th in Hamilton, Ontario.
Twelve contestants have accepted invitations, each after being nominated by their home association as a result of their success during the 2010 season.
The competition has established itself – along with the Nicol-Brown competition in New York – as the ultimate event for amateur soloists, and often seen by those who do well in the vent as the final step before moving to the Professional grade.
The competition is made up of three separate events: 6/8 Marches; Piobaireachd; and a March, Strathspey & Reel. Judging this year’s Sherriff are Peter Aumonier, Murray Henderson and Terry Lee.
Competing in this year’s event:
Aidan Bowen, PPBSO
Kyle Coughlin, PPBSO
Bobby Durning, EUSPBA
Marshall German, WUSPBA
Andrew Laird, PPBA
Chris Lee, ACPBA
Zak Read, PPBSO
Ben Reid, PPBSO
Alexander Schiele, BCPA
Elliot Smith, EUSPBA
Myles Stewart, BCPA
Glenn Walpole, PPBSO
The 6/8 Marches event starts the day at 10:30 am, with the Piobaireachd in the afternoon and the MSR at 7 pm. All events will be held at the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 70 James St. South, in Hamilton, and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The competition is organizaed by the Niagara-Hamilton Branch of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario
Richard Gillies of Portland, Oregon, was the overall winner of the 2009 Sherriff Invitational. The competition commemorates George Sherriff, a long-time dedicated teacher of piping in the Hamilton area.
Bobby Durning was the overall winner of the 2010 Nicol-Brown competition in October.
As a nonprofit publication that supports beneficial piping and drumming causes, pipes|drums has made a monetary contribution to the George Sherriff Memorial.
Good Luck Myles!
Knock ’em dead, Myles!
Lets go Kyle!!!!!
I remarked to several people last year, that when I was a young player, that there were no competitions like the Sherriff. What a wonderful opportunity for the young player to display and improve on his, her skills. I hope that they realize the golden opportunity that is handed to them. My hat off to the organizers and the sponsors of this fine event.
best wishes kyle , this is the next step up from the knockout competion, ellen and i both have high hope for you!
Re rsm: Well said!
Tear it up Aidan!!