Youngest Lee still basking in composition glory after winning $2,010 tune-writing prize
The youngest piper so far in the growing Vancouver Lee family piping dynasty is still over-the-moon after having his original tune chosen the best in a composition competition sponsored by the Canmore Highland Games that awarded $2,010 to the winner.
John Lee, youngest son of Jack Lee, gained the top prize in the contest, held in honour of the Canmore games’ twentieth anniversary. The new 2/4 march is named “Canmore Highland Games.” John Lee will perform his tune in September at the 2010 Canmore event.
“I had a lot of fun writing the tune and was very excited about the huge prize,” Lee said. “That was a real surprise. I have written a few tunes over the years, mostly for the Piping Hot Summer Drummer tune writing contests.”
Like his father, his Pipe-Major uncle, Terry; his cousin, Alastair; Colin; and his brothers, Andrew and Colin, John Lee also plays with the Grade 1 Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
The tune was one of 28 entries from four countries. Second-prize and $1,000 went to Rob Barrick of Happy Valley, Oregon, and Calgary-native Ann Gray’s tune third, taking $500.
The Canmore Highland Games are celebrated by many as taking place in one of the world’s most scenic settings for a piping, drumming or pipe band competition.
It’s nice to see that young people are not only achieving so well in the playing stakes, but also able to create and write down their compositions. Really well done, and a great prize too! Hope you’ll keep going with writing music!
First round on John after band?
Well done John!!
Hello, this tune is a very nice one. Very lively and good melodic line. Well done!!! Matthias