College of Piping

CoP Radio ~ May Show on Air

andrew — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:39:23 +0000

Donald MacPherson

: Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band

This month’s programme is something of a celebration of the music of the late Donald MacPherson with excerpts of his playing of both ceol beag and ceol mor. Our ‘Piobaireachd of the Month’ is by him – Lady MacDonald’s Lament-and provides a fitting end to the show. Before that we continue with our interview with Ian McLellan who talks about his solo career and we have a track from Dowco Pipe Band from Vancouver who will feature in the ‘Pipes of Peace’ concert during World’s Week. Listen Here

Robert Reid Recordings

COP manager — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:38:23 +0000

The Piobaireachd Society has purchased a collection of tapes made by the late Pipe Major Robert Reid. The quality and extent of the recordings has yet to be fully established but the outcome will be of interest to piobaireachd lovers around the world and appropriate selections will be made available to members via the Society’s website in due course. Society President Jack Taylor said: ‘There is great interest in the playing of Robert Reid especially given his connection with the Cameron school and John MacDougall Gillies. Editing and digitising the tapes will take time but work on this project can now begin.’ To enjoy these recordings and many other valuable works from the Society archive join now by clicking here.
The College of Piping produced a CD of some of P/M Reid’s recordings in 2006 and this is available via the CoP Shop.

New Dysart Sponsorship

COP manager — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:19:44 +0000

Lee, Donald and Greig shake on the deal

P/M Greig Canning: ‘Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band are today pleased to announce the arrival of a new main sponsor. The band enters into an agreement with Kilts & More, a long established and highly reputable retailer of Highlandwear, Bagpipes and other Scottish products throughout Europe. Donald McPhee, owner and director of Kilts & More and the committee of Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band have worked tirelessly on the proposal for many weeks and all parties are delighted with the progress made which has taken us today to the completion of a formal agreement. The committee are thankful to Donald for all of the diligent work already undertaken on behalf of the band in order to see the sponsorship gets off to the best possible start and we look forward to forming what we are sure will be a flourishing partnership in the coming months and years. The deal secures the future of the pipe band for the next 3 seasons, effective immediately and is a huge boost to the band coming just in time for the 2012 competitive season. As part of the sponsorship agreement, and following on with the trend set in recent years by other grade 1 pipe bands, the band will be registered for competition as ‘Kilts & More – Dysart & Dundonald Pipe Band’. We are delighted to announce the deal with Kilts & More and speaking on behalf of our committee, we felt right from the outset that the benefits to both parties will be there for all to see. The band currently has a small crop of overseas players, travelling in from continental Europe to practice with the band in Fife and to attend major and minor contests and we feel that this deal further compounds the international feel that we have in the current setup at Dysart and Dundonald. In addition to the cultural and wider benefits to the band, there are the more obvious benefits to be seen in terms of securing the future of the band. This deal will give us the financial and logistical boost that we required to ensure the survival of the band in the medium to long term. This will allow the band to attend all five majors this year, including a trip to Belfast, the first time the band has attended a Major Championship there since 2007. As well as the security that the deal provides, the band will be appearing in the new season with a brand new set of drums and several small enhancements to uniforms. Kilts & More have been fantastic in terms of recognising the strength of identity that the band enjoys and we look forward to growing the band to its full potential in the coming years in partnership with Donald and his team!
http://www.kiltsandmore-blog.com/2012/05/12/kilts-more-dysart-dundonald-pipe-band/#
Picture shows Greig Canning, Lee Innes (leading drummer) and Donald McPhee (owner, Kilts & More).

Games Updates

COP manager — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:14:56 +0000

CPA report: Bathgate Games are changing their set-up, and it might take their website a week or so to catch up with that. To avoid confusion, the correct arrangement is entries in advance or by 0930 on the field. The draw will be at 0945 on the day.
Blair Atholl Games would like to extend the date of last entries to 17th May, to encourage more players (particularly P, A and C grade players) to enter. Call Emma Spence on 01796 473 459

Scottish Pipe Band Championships Draw

andrew — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:49:51 +0000

The draw for next weekends(Saturday 19th May) Scottish Pipe Band Championships, at Levengrove Park, Dunbarton, can be found here

PT Ed’s Blog updated

COP manager — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:31:14 +0000

Didn’t realise my friend and expert bag maker Jimmy Begg was such a bloomin’ stick in the mud. Here’s an excerpt from his latest Newsletter. ‘We see other subtle concepts like ‘pipes down’ being not appreciated in certain quarters. Well it’s traditional and it’s a sign the band is ready to play – it stemmed originally from army etiquette and it does the job so why change it for no good reason? It sets the scene for what is to come in much the same way as a band forming a circle. It is done for a reason and so what is the advantage in trying other arrangements like an orchestral set-up? Let’s focus on playing our beloved instrument and in honing our skills, rather than tweaking things at the edges for no good purpose. We shouldn’t be trying to turn the bagpipe into something else – if we do away with tradition, it will be the rock that we perish on.’
Now come on Jim, if we held by this dictat we would never have had synthetic pipe bags would we?
The advantage for bands playing in an open circle rather than a closed is that it shows off their music much better and makes for a better listening experience for the people who pay good money to come and hear them. If a band contest is not about the listening public then let them in free (as happens at Dumbarton) and the bands can stand on their heads and play if they wish. The ‘orchestral’ formation is just as traditional as the closed circle and has been used by pipe bands playing in concert for as long as I can remember so what is so wrong with them using it in competition?

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Met Fred Morrison the other day and he tells me he has all the tunes off and has entered for the Clasp at Inverness. Well done to you Fred. I’ve always said his concentration on the folk scene was a great loss to mainstream piping. One of the most musical players I’ve ever heard is Fred and I hope he puts on a show at the Meetings.
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Boghall have completed their rebranding exercise and here is their new logo: Their media man Stephen McQuillan has also sent out this message: ‘Dear Friend, 2012 marks a very special year for the band as we look forward to celebrating our 40^th year. This year the Grade 1 band, with a cameo performance from our Juvenile band, is performing at the famous Pre- Worlds Concert at the Glasgow Concert Hall on Wednesday August 8^th at 19:30. As you know, this is a very prestigious event and one in which we are hoping will be very well attended. We hope you will take this opportunity to support the band and come along with friends and family to be entertained. I really hope you can join us at this time and celebrate with us. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked through the Glasgow Concert Hall on 0141 353 8000 or at their website www.glasgowconcerthalls.com.’
I am sure everyone will come out in force to support the Boggies.
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The band season is almost on us with Gourock on Sunday. My, it’s going to be a dreich day if the weather stays the way it is at the moment here in bonnie west of Scotland. Cold, wet and miserable would be an upbeat assessment. The Scottish Champs will follow soon after at Dumbarton on the 19^th and Scottish Power have their publicity machine in full swing. Not every band has a high powered PR company pushing their case in the media. This was circulated recently: ‘The Scottish Power Pipe Band is hoping to kick off the 2012 season in style by defending their title at the Gourock Highland Games next weekend (Sunday 13^thMay).The leading Grade 1 Pipe Band fought off competition at last year’s event from three other Grade 1 bands to take home the overall prize after coming first in the piping and ensemble categories and second in drumming. Cheering them on to a hopeful win will be the band’s longest-serving member, Jack Henderson, who has played with the band since it was first put together in 1989. Although Jack, who recently celebrated his 80^th birthday, has now hung up his bagpipes, he is still heavily involved with the organisational aspect and currently acts as the band’s secretary. Jack, from Paisley, said: ‘It has been a fantastic experience and honour to be part of the Scottish Power Pipe Band for so many years and to have helped them win many a competition and pieces of silverware in years gone by. ‘Although I no longer actively compete with the band, it is wonderful to still be involved with such a talented group of musicians and I hope that success at the Gourock Highland Games will spur us on for the summer ahead.’

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Great things happening down East Lothian way with the local Pipes and Drums Trust leading the way. They’ve a summer school coming up: ‘ELPDT are holding a five day piping and drumming workshop at Cockenzie and Port Seton Royal British Legion from Mon 30 July – Fri 3 August from 10am – 4pm each day. The workshop is open to all young pipers/chanter players and drummers in East Lothian. Tutors for the workshop will be Lee Moore of St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band on Pipes and Simon Grant of Lothian & Borders Police Pipe Band on drums. Lee and Simon are piping and drumming tutors in the Preston Lodge cluster schools. The cost of the tuition is £60 for the five days. ELPDT will consider helping out those in financial need and applications for help will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Please contact Paul Heward on paul.heward@julart.co.uk to enquire about financial help. There will be a short performance on the Friday at 3.30pm for friends and family when the pupils will be able to show off their skills.’
I like the bit about helping kids who can’t afford it. It’s what the College has done for the last 60 plus years.

Scots Guards KO

COP manager — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:55:34 +0000

Jimmy Banks reports: The final of our piping knock out was held on 6 May at the Scots Guards Club,Edinburgh, and was won by Keith Bowes (left) in a close contest with Craig Muirhead. We would like to thank our audience for their support throughout this year, we will be starting again in October with another excellent line up of pipers. Pipe Major Gordon Walker will give a recital at the Scots Guards Club 10 June commencing 4pm; tickets £10.00 and curry will be served. Club number: 0131 337 1084

Highlands & Islands Festival (updated)

COP manager — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:33:41 +0000

Bright sunshine but a cold northerly wind made everyone grateful that this contest was being held indoors.
P&A Piob: 1 Gordon McCready, Earl of Seaforth’s Salute 2 Fiona Manson, Lament for Captain Donald MacKenzie 3 Finlay Johnston, My Dearest on Earth Give Me Your Kiss 4 Jenny Hazzard 5 Euan MacCrimmon

P&A MSR: 1 Gordon Bruce 2 G McCready 3 Alastair Henderson 4 F Johnston 4 J Hazzard 5 E MacCrimmon ; P&A judges: Iain MacFadyen, Hugh MacCallum; 10 played

B Piobaireachd
1. Neil Walker – Gathering of the McNabs 2. Sarah Muir 3. Peter Hunt 4. Colin Campbell 5. Craig Sutherland
Judges: John Wilson & Willie Morrison

C Piobaireachd
1. Connor Sinclair 2. Steven Gray 3. James Rosie 4. Andrew Gray 5. Matt Fraser; Judges: Colin MacLellan & Dr Jack Taylor

B&C Combined MSR
1. Sarah Muir 2. Craig Sutherland 3. Angus J. MacColl 4. Fiona Manson 5. Connor Sinclair 6. Bradley Parker
Judges: Barry Donaldson & Ronnie MacShannon

Notes on 2012 Set Tunes

COP manager — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:54:06 +0000

Notes from the Piobaireachd Society Judges’ Seminar on the Senior and Silver Medal set tunes for 2012 are now on the Piobaireachd Society website at www.piobaireachd.co.uk. Gold Medal notes were posted previously.

RU Brown Gold Medal

COP manager — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:42:55 +0000

RU BROWN PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY COMPETITION RESULTS 2012

With over 100 competitors in eight different classes the R.U. Brown Gold Medal contest is probably the pre-eminent solo contest in Australia. All events were held at the Scotch College, Adelaide, on Saturday 5th May 2012. Senior piobaireachd events judged by Malcolm McRae.

Clasp
1st: Martin Frewen 2nd: Marion Horsburgh 3rd: Brett Tidswell
Gold Medal
1st: Callum Beaumont 2nd: Jason Craig 3rd: Tom Glover 4th: Cameron Ely 5th: Tam McGirr
Silver Medal
1st: Stephen Ross 2nd: Thomas Fox 3rd: Kaz Takehara 4th: Blair Hodson 5th: Michaela Doecke
Bronze Medal
1st: Jeremiah Doecke 2nd: Anna Doecke 3rd: Gabrielle Doecke 4th: Michaela Doecke 5th: Amelia Chandra
Novice Piobaireachd
1st: Amelia Chandra 2nd: Gabrielle Doecke 3rd: Anna Doecke 4th: Jeremiah Doecke
A Grade MSR
1st: Callum Beaumont 2nd: Martin Frewen 3rd: Andrew Fuller 4th: Craig Sked 5th: Marion Horsburgh
A Grade H/J
1st: Craig Sked 2nd: Martin Frewen 3rd: Callum Beaumont 4th: Jason Craig 5th: Andrew Fuller
B Grade H/J
1st: Simon Gibson 2nd: Shannon Ritchie 3rd: Michaela Doecke 4th: Blair Hodson 5th: Cameron Ely
B Grade MSR
1st: Blair Hodson 2nd: Simon Gibson 3rd: Michaela Doecke 4th: Cameron Ely 5th: Craig Mckenzie
C Grade
1st: Gabrielle Doecke 2nd: Shannon Ritchie 3rd: Michaela Doecke 4th: Jeremiah Doecke 5th: Anna Doecke
D Grade
1st: Gabrielle Doecke 2nd: Amelia Chandra 3rd: Anna Doecke 4th: Andrew Thomson 5th: Mel Inglis