Archive
While on the surface, the loss of a major RSPBA pipe band championship might seem of little consequence to those outside of the UK, it presents not a few questions and concerns. For those not familiar with the matter, here’s the gist of it: The RSPBA is bound as a […]
In Part 1 we reported on what chanters, chanter reeds and drone reeds the world’s Grade 1 and Grade 2 bands are using in their pipe sections. In Part 2, we analyze the pipe bags and moisture control systems they choose to keep their musical machine running at peak potential. The pipes|drums Bagpipe Equipment Survey […]
Despite a worldwide grassroots petition that gained more than 10,000 signatures, and a lengthy Scottish Parliament hearing to defend the program, BBC Radio Scotland has cancelled the long-running weekly program, “Pipeline.” Presented Gary West’s final show will be on April 1st, after which the public, advertising-free broadcaster will reportedly move […]
pipes|drums looks into the wonderful world of what Grade 1 and Grade 2 bands worldwide are using in their pipe sections: the chanters, chanter reeds, drone reeds, bags, and moisture systems they choose to keep their musical machine running at maximum tonality. The pipes|drums Bagpipe Equipment Survey of Top-Grade Bands Part 1 It’s been a […]
The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association has informed the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing that the “RSPBA Highland Dancing Championship” held in conjunction with the World Pipe Band Championships has been cancelled. In a memo to Elizabeth Gollan, Director of Administration at Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, […]
The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland’s April 2nd concert at Edinburgh’s famous Usher Hall will mark the twentieth anniversary since the initiative began, and the organizers are now offering a 20% discount on tickets exclusively for pipes|drums readers. Full-price tickets to the “20 Years Young” show are £16.50 and […]
The first year of Grade 1 competition at the expanding Chicago Highland Games should be a success with confirmation that both City of Dunedin of Florida and Houston’s St. Thomas Alumni planning to make the trip to the Windy City June 16-17. And with Dunedin and Nova Scotia’s 78th Highlanders […]
It was the summer of 2009 when we first sat down for an exclusive pipes|drums Interview with Colin MacLellan, one of the world’s great pipers and contributors to to piping. More than a dozen years on, we thought it was time for another chat. It helped that MacLellan, a native of Scotland and a citizen […]
We continue our conversation with Pipe-Major Richard Parkes and Leading-Drummer Gareth McLees of reigning World Champions Filed Marshal Montgomery. In Part 1, the leaders of the 13-time World’s and RSPBA Champion of Champions winners discussed McLees’s move into the L-D spot after the band’s two decades with L-D Keith Orr […]
The British Columbia Pipers Association is partnering with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association to bring an event that will enable as many as four snare drummers to qualify to compete in the semi-final round of the World Solo Drumming Championship. The Pacific Rim Solo Drumming Championship will be held […]
Glasgow – March 11, 2023 – Callum Wynd of Stirling, Scotland, was the top winner at the annual Duncan Johnstone Memorial B- and C-Grade Solo Competition, taking the award with two second-prizes. The B-Grade events were held at the National Piping Centre’s Otago Street premises, while the C-Grade took place […]
The members and administrators of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association met both in-person and online for the organization’s annual general meeting where several significant matters were decided. A proposal to remunerate RSPBA directors for their “services” performed at major championships was again rejected, as it was when a similar […]
Christchurch, New Zealand – March 11, 2023 – Canterbury Caledonian Society successfully defended their New Zealand & South Pacific Pipe Band Champions title against four other Grade 1 bands in a full day of competition at North Hagley Park in the heart of the country’s picturesque city. The band won […]
Edinburgh’s Usher Hall in Edinburgh is perhaps Scotland’s most prestigious concert venue, rarely if ever the venue for pipe band shows, but on April 2nd the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland will mark its 20-year anniversary with a special performance with special guests Celtic folk musicians Ross Ainslie and […]
Redding, California – March 4-5, 2023 – The annual Redding Solo Piping Competition returned as the largest indoor event on the Western United States Pipe Band Association’s contest calendar, with 37 contestant, mostly from the Pacific Northwest vying for prizes. The competition gives pipers four events to compete in over […]
On this International Women’s Day, frequent contributor Jeannie Campbell MBE takes a look at four remarkable female pipers of the past, including Elspeth Campbell, associated today with the great 2/4 march, but was in fact one of the first great competitive woman pipers in history. Four sensational women pipers of […]