News
April 30, 2008

Pipefest will attempt to bring together 12,000 pipers and drummers in one day in 2010

For the last 12 years “Pipefest” has held events in various parts of the Scotland and the United States to raise money for cancer charities, but in 2010 the organization will attempt to unify the event globally by attracting an estimated 12,000 pipers and drummers in a single day.In 2005 the event rose to a new level, with players from more than 27 countries participating in several venues. Epic Concepts, the organization that coordinates the event, is aiming to make Pipefest 2010 “the world’s first global pipe band event.”Our aim is to unite over 12,000 players from all over the World in a 24 hour programme, piping all the way around the World – in a unique music event,” said Magnus Orr, Pipefest coordinator. “With more than 72 venues around the world, different pipe band groups will start playing 20 minutes apart from east to west, and within 24 hours we will have circumnavigated the world. The main aim is to help raise money for cancer care charities in all the countries participating in this event.”The 2010 project is scheduled to begin in Scotland on July 31, 2010, and will return to Scotland on August 1st.Legendary competitive piper Donald MacPherson leads the 2005 Pipefest event at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.Orr said that the other objective of the event is “to unite countries around the world whose cultural identity is enriched by the pipes and drums.” He hopes for a combined audience of more than 100 million watching and hearing about the event.To make the project a success, Orr says that recruitment is vital. Provided that principal funding is secured, a recruitment campaign will commence and continue throughout 2008 and ’09, with bands registering at the Pipefest website.Scheduled Pipefest venues:

  • Edinburgh
  • Inverness, Scotland
  • Belfast
  • Dublin
  • Reykjavik
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • New York
  • Toronto
  • Indianapolis
  • Chicago
  • Los Angeles
  • Vancouver
  • Anchorage
  • Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Osaka
  • Perth, Australia
  • Hong Kong
  • New Delhi
  • Islamabad
  • Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
  • Cape Town
  • Rome
  • Brest, France
  • Brussels
  • La Coruna, Spain
  • Bexhill on Sea, England
  • Cardiff
  • Newcastle, England
  • Edinburgh

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4 COMMENTS

  1. It would be nice if there could be a venue in the south east part of the USA. THere are a ton of bands that I’m sure would be willing to participate in this event.

  2. Magnus, The last few years has seen the RSPBA hold a major (usually British or European) on the last Saturday of July. If that trend continues, your event would fall on the same day. Perhaps you could do something with the RSPBA to combine the events and ensure you don’t miss out on so many players being in one place at one time?

  3. Hi guys, Why is in the home town of the World Pipe Band Championships no pipe fest???? I think glasgow green would be a great option.

  4. We are looking at a wide number of venues and certainly open to suggestions. If players do not need to travel hundreds of miles – it will be easier for more people to take part.

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