(Updated) “Piping Hot” Festival plans unveiled in Glasgow

The new Piping Hot International Piping Festival was officially unveiled today at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow with festival director Roddy MacLeod making the announcement to a gallery of journalists.

The week-long series of events will occur over the five days preceding the World Pipe Band Championships, and include recitals, workshops, and competitions at various venues across the city.

The National Piping Centre will host workshops and recitals, with Chris Armstrong, Bruce Gandy, Jack Lee, Willie McCallum, and Gordon Walker performing each afternoon. Open-air concerts in George Square will showcase internatioanl talent, including Finlay MacDonald, Scottish pipes, and Robbie Hannon, Uillean pipes, on the Monday; Kathryn Tickell, Northumbrian pipes, and Cristina Pato, Galicia, on Tuesday; Cristina Pato and Fred Morrison, Highland pipes, Wednesday; Jozsef Kozak, Hungary, and Na Tri Seadan Thursday; and Finlay MacDonald and Patrick Molard, Brittany, on Friday.

Each day will see pipe bands perform in the square, as well as a “street activity” named “Pipe Idol,” which is designed to raise money for charity.

“We will be inviting individuals or groups, the only rule being they must have some form of bagpipe in their line-up, to register for Pipe Idol,” said MacLeod. “This will be done through the piping festival Web site, which will be ready in a day or two. They will basically busk in Glasgow at various sites to be agreed with the City. The winner of Pipe Idol will be the individual or group who raises the most money for charity. The winner will receive a £500 prize.”

An invitational solo piping competition will be held at the National Piping Centre the day after the World’s, featuring Jack Lee and Bruce Gandy (Canada); Jori Chisholm (USA); Willie McCallum, Angus McColl, Gordon Walker, Chris Armstrong and Iain Speirs (Scotland). Piper & Drummer Online originally broke the story of the new competition.

In his opening remarks, MacLeod said, “We have a very interesting program for our first year. Added to the activities that already are in place at that time and with the World Pipe Band Championships taking place at the end of the week I think there will be something for everyone to enjoy. We are very excited about the future potential of the festival and with your support I am sure that Scotland will have a new festival to be proud of in Piping Hot.”

The festival has received £40,000 in funding from Glasgow City Council and is also subsidized by Event Scotland, the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise, and the European Regional Development Fund. A primary event sponsor and advertiser is Glenfiddich, which has faithfully suppported piping causes for more than 30 years.

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