Archive
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 . . .
If you have a copy of Dr. William Donaldson’s 1999 book, The Highland Pipe & Scottish Society, take care of it . . .
In the second part of the “Students’ guide to piping and university,” you’ll find insight into specific schools as well as international perspectives on attending school provided by three very successful pipers and students: Faye Henderson, Derek Midgley and Craig Muirhead, each of whom managed to balance their academic and piping lives, and even improve their success rate in solo competitions in Scotland.
Results were varied at the 2012 Ohio Scottish Games held at the historic college town of Oberlin. The Great Lakes Pipe Band emerged the overall winner in Grade 2, edging City of Washington on an ensemble preference . . .
The College of Piping’s Grade 3 and Grade 5 bands enjoyed first prizes at the annual Summerside Highland Gathering in Canada’s smallest province. Despite forecasts for torrential rain, Saturday saw only light showers and Sunday was mainly dry. The event was well attended by locals and dignitaries, including the regional Member of Parliament . . .