The 24th annual pipes|drums New Year’s Honours

2024 Piper of the Year (all aspects)

Richard Parkes

What more can be said about Richard Parkes? He quickly picked up the mantle from the legendary Iain MacLellan to become the greatest pipe-major in history, finishing his career with a championship and four strong (and possibly not fully unrecognized) performances at the World’s. His mark on pipe banding is indelibly profound, and 2024 allowed us to appreciate all that he has accomplished, always with quiet class and humility.

Panellists’ comments on Richard Parkes:

• It’s the end of an era of unrivalled competitive success. Under Richard’s direction, the band set a new standard for excellence at the top of Grade I.
• For years of excellence and for setting the standard so high.
• Going out with the band still firing on all cylinders is the exit Richard deserved after his complete and utter dedication over many decades.
• A legend. I think it’s admirable that Richard didn’t feel like the band had to win a World’s for him to retire that same year. His legacy and record speak for themselves and his humility.
• Richard could have realistically been Piper of the Year for so many years of his unmatched career, and he gets the nod this year for his history and legacy.
• The most successful Pipe Major of all time. His absence creates a tectonic shift in Grade 1.
• P-M Richard Parkes, MBE is the greatest of all time. Feels fitting to honour the winningest pipe-major in history.
• Richard has emerged as one of the most dedicated, calm pipe majors who just got it all done. He still thinks it’s all unbelievable!
• He leaves a legacy of not just winning prizes but of innovation and leadership. An ambassador for piping rarely, if ever, not 100% prepared.
• When the G.O.A.T. retires, there is no other choice. A final season with another major championship win – we will never witness this level of greatness again.

Also nominated (in alphabetical order with a few comments from the panel)

Jori Chisholm – The Seattle-based piper continued to innovate in 2024 and is making his mark as one of piping history’s great contributors to making playing and practice more productive and enjoyable.

• If there’s a way to increase productivity, tone stability, or ease of use, Jori’s going to find it.

Ally Crowley-Duncan (Ally the Piper)  – The New York-based piper continues to bring the Highland bagpipe’s sound and music to tens of millions worldwide. Embarking a new tour in 2025, she’s raising production values and innovation.

• Specifically for making piping “cool” and reaching an audience of non-pipers, Ally the Piper has been most successful there.

Ross Harvey – The Peoples Ford Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia stalwart surprised everyone when he retired as pipe-major, but in a relatively short time, he elevated the band to historic new heights. In hindsight, the band’s Cabar Feidh concert was not just a compelling event but a poignant and fitting swansong for him.

Lincoln Hilton – The Melbourne-based piper ended the year with a new commitment to focus almost 100% of his efforts on innovations and music. The debut of the Founders’ Edition chanter was an exciting development that might well foreshadow what’s to come.

• I’m going with Lincoln based on what he is brewing. Expect to see an explosion of quality goods from him soon. It is quite astonishing what he writes and produces. He is at the cutting edge of music production and produces high-quality performance and product.

Katie Robertson (The Wheeled Piper) – Robertson is working through more health setbacks to get back at the pipes. She is an inspiration, and her playing continues to rise to new levels.

• All deserving nominees but leaning into Katie because she daily demonstrates mental toughness and pure love of piping. She’s an example for us all to love the music for the opportunities we have to play it.

Alen Tully –His St. Laurence O’Toole came out even stronger in 2024, taking down the UK Championship and the All-Ireland. He’s the epitome of strong pipe band leadership: quiet patience, determination, creativity, musicality, and a great sense of humour.

David Wilton – A piping teacher by profession and now he’s establishing himself as one of the world’s best pipe-majors. His Police Scotland Fife climbed up the charts to a place where they’re knock, knock knockin’ on that World’s door.