Archive
Michael Elder and Alasdair Henderson took the first prizes at the Markinch Highland Games in Fife, Scotland, a contest that has had a reputation for hiring judges not normally associated with senior solo piping events. This year it was pipe band adjudicator Robert Shepherd who had the opportunity. About 20 contestants participated in very cold but dry conditions.
Simon Fraser University continued its decade-long winning streak on the Pacific Northwest circuit with a win of both events at the Bellingham Highland Games. Dowco-Triumph Street gained a first-place from one judge. Portland Metro surged in Grade 2 with a convincing win . . .
A strong finish at Glasgow Green is what every Grade 1 band hopes for, and that’s exactly what members and supporters of the Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia . . .
In what is likely a first for a recording by a top-shelf solo piper, Simon McKerrell has unveiled a collection of eight tracks available only as a download from iTunes either as individual . . .
Taking the cue from the success of the resurrected Eagle Pipers Society of Edinburgh, the venerable Scottish Pipers Association of Glasgow is restarting its “club night”. . .
On a mainly overcast but mostly dry day, the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) took home the Grade 1 first prize at the Georgetown Highland Games, the first outdoor band event of the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario season. In Grade 2, the newly expanded Ottawa Police won. Ian K. MacDonald of Whitby, Ontario, was the Professional Piper of the Day, taking three of four firsts. At the closing ceremonies the games honoured, first, the Toronto Police Pipe Band, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary year, and paid tribute to the late Ron Rollo, with the 78th Highlanders (Halifax Citadel) playing a special rendition of “Amazing Grace.” The late Darby MacCarroll was also acknowledged for his contribution to the games over the years . . .
Collette O’Connor was the overall winner at the tenth annual Cullen Feis Solo Piping Competition held on a glorious sunny day. All events were judged by Caitlin Houlihan and Dermot Jones . . .
It was 11 pipers piping at the annual Strathmore Highland Games, where Greig Canning and Gordon McCready won the piobaireachd and light music events. Weather was very cold, but rainless . . .
The Wellington Pipers Club held its 60th annual piping competitions, the Brown Cup and Everest Piobaireachd, at the Royal New Zealand Police College, and Iain Robertson took both events, which were judged by Hanning and Iain Hines . . .
In the latest “By the left . . . ” instalment, Jenny Hazzard of Toronto and Edinburgh takes us on a spin around Markinch, Fife, for one of the first Highland games of the outdoor season, and reflects on the charming absurdity of it all, from Mr. Whippy to weather challenges to the omnipresent and omnipotent diesel generator that is sure to be found at every solo piping event in the auld country.
Just in time for Father’s Day, Murray Henderson of Kirriemuir, Scotland, edged out his daughter, Faye, Simon McKerrell and Gordon Walker to win the 26th annual Donald MacDonald Quaich, held at the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle. The elder Henderson ¨C the only piper in history to win a Clasp at the Northern Meeting in four different decades ¨C played “dy Margaret MacDonald’s Salute,” and was determined the winner by adjudicator Jack Taylor. Gordon Walker, Galston, Scotland, played “Glengarry’s March,” Simon McKerrell of Newcastle . . ..e
James Bell of Batesville, Arkansas, was the overall professional winner of the 26th annual United States Piping Foundation Amateur & Professional Piping Championships at the University of Delaware. Kirk Brunson of Derry, New Hampshire . . .
Gordon McCready of Renfrew, Scotland, had two firsts and a second in the light music events, while Breton-native Mael Sicard-Cras won the Piobaireachd at the annual Aberdeen Highland Games . . .
The landmark Set Tunes Series by Dr. William Donaldson is poised to continue with regular and frequent installments on the 2012 list . . .
Benoni MacTalla enjoyed a win in Grade 2 with firsts across the board in the MSR at the annual Pretoria Boys High School Gathering. The placings in the Medley event were varied . . .