Archive
Harry’s been enjoying the videos from last weekend’s competition, and taking in the online chatter about the 78th Frasers’ dramatic entry and miraculous recovery. As a service to readers, Harry has assembled a few samples of how things can go terribly wrong in that one small segment of the contest. […]
Iain Speirs was the recipient of the 2013 John A. MacLellan Medal on the evening of June 8th at the Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, the second annual version of the invitational dinner/recital that showcases four of MacLellan’s piobaireachd compositions. Speirs played “A Welcome for Patrick Struan,” which MacLellan composed on the birth of his second grandson in 1989. Also competing were Faye Henderson . . .
A hot and sunny day greeted 16 contestants in the senior solo piping at the annual Cupar Highland Games. Results were mixed, but Alan Russell had the most success in the light music, while Greig Canning took the Piobaireachd . . .
Miraculously, the threatening skies never gave way to rain at the 2013 Georgetown Highland Games, the first official outdoor event of the PPBSO season. In the Grade 1 band Medley competition, the Peel Regional Police won, followed closely by the 78th Fraser Highlanders. Grade 2 was won by a strong Ottawa Police Services Pipe Band, whose Pipe-Major, Andrew Hayes, also enjoyed Piper of the Day honours. The Professional Solo Piping was for the first time in the PPBSO history outside of the North American Championships, divided the Professional Solo Piping into two sections.
The piping and drumming world was saddened by the sudden death of piper Lochlann McKay on June 2 in Glasgow. McKay was a popular and talented member of the Grade 2 Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band, and his funeral will be on Monday, June 10. Within hours of learning of her cousin’s passing, 16 year-old Robyn McKay, also of Inchinnan, Scotland, was inspired to write an air in his honour. The tune will be played at the memorial service. A member of the Grade 3 St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Robyn McKay, like her late older cousin, is a rising star on the Scottish piping scene. She started at the age of six, taught by Gordon Walker and Michael Fitzhenry, and at age eight started instruction with Keith Bowes Sr., and . . .
In this the fourth and final installment of the pipes|drums Interview with Roddy MacLeod, we discuss the origins of the Piping Live! Festival, which just officially kicked off its tenth anniversary year with the biggest slate of programming in its history, and go into the legacy that the MacLeod has built so far. MacLeod talks about his greatest moments in piping, how he approaches his competition repertoire, and the opportunities and challenges ahead for the National Piping Centre.
Lochlann McKay, a well-known up-and-coming piper with the Grade 2 Lomond & Clyde Pipe Band of Glasgow, died suddenly on June 2, 2013, at the age of 21. Born February 20, 1992, Lochlann was taught by Keith Bowes and originally was a member of the Johnstone Pipe Band, beginning in […]
The annual “Pre-World’s Concert” generally raffles off a set of pipes to one lucky program-buyer, but the 2013 “Ascension” concert by Inveraray . . .
About 12 pipers competed at the annual Markinch Highland Games. Greig Canning of Edinburgh emerged with the overall trophy with two second prizes . . .
Stuart Easton emerged the winner of the New Zealand Open/A Grade Solo Championships, finishing first in the Piobaireachd, Strathspey & Reel and Hornpipe & Jig. There were more than 100 contestants across A,B,C, and D grades, making it the biggest solo event in New Zealand . . .
Dowco-Triumph Street came as close as it ever has to beating Simon Fraser University, losing on ensemble preference in the Medley event at the Bellingham Highland Games. SFU has not lost on its local circuit for more than 15 years . . .
Since pipes|drums first reported on tenor drummer Fiona Morris’s successful battle against cancer, the Kinross, Scotland resident has raised more than £5,000 in cash donations to the Bone Cancer . . .
Well, dear readers, some of you have known for some time, but now it’s out there: Harry needs help. The problem is that Harry can’t afford the bar prices at the games this summer, so he’s started a Fundrazr campaign to get the needed scratch together. Please give generously. […]
The performers for the annual Lord Todd Piping Recital Challenge at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow on Thursday, August 15th . . .
pipes|drums Magazine is pleased to announce that Dr. William Donaldson’s Set Tunes Series continues with eight piobaireachds from the list of compositions set by the Piobaireachd Society . . .
owco-Triumph Street enjoyed a perfect weekend at the annual Costa Mesa Highland Games, taking eight firsts from eight judges against two other bands in the Grade 1 competition.