Achiltibuie Ceilidh

As you will see from the above clip there was some very fine talent at the Highland School. Cameron is the grandson of Major John Allan, former Director of Army Bagpipe Music, so he has some pedigree. All things being equal I predict an outstanding career for this boy. Only 14 years old, he displays a maturity in his playing and in his manners that are a credit to his teachers and his parents. He was the unanimous choice as our Most Promising Student and Cameron wins a one week study bursary at the College.
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Cameron wasn’t the only outstanding youngster on the school however. They were all terrific. Well mannered and responsive to their lessons they were a pleasure to teach as my fellow tutors Al Fraser, Barry Donaldson and Andy Donaldson all agreed. The Ullapool band was second last in their grade at the Scottish last year. With ability they have in the ranks they won’t be their for long.
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The adults were pretty well behaved too! Thanks to Jo, Jean Louis and Tom for their support and company during the week. We are already making plans for next year. Check out CoP Facebook for some decent pix.
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CoP is closed today for Easter Monday but will re-open from 9am Tues.
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Next outreach school is New England and the team is looking forward to catching up with our friends at the Governor’s Academy at Byfield, MA. I keep hearing all these stories about this school is better than that when the only thing that really matters is the quality of the teaching. That’s the rub. It takes years of experience to get it right. Summer camp should not be about rubbing shoulders with some alleged piping or drumming superstar, rather will you emerge at the end of the week a better piper, drummer or drum major? That is the focus of all our camps (and others I’m sure) and has been for the 50 plus years we have been doing them.
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I hear the Dan Reid competition has had to be called off this year. This was always a showpiece event which I was asked to once and at which I gave a particularly indifferent account. However a lot of good playing has been heard at the San Francisco event and this, fortunately, has been recorded. Let’s hope it can get going again next year and with a raised profile. I can’t remember when the results were last sent to the PT. Contrast that with the Metro Cup which rotates its judges and gets the info out there. All contests need to be continually freshened up with different judges and – if invitational – invitees.
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I hope the Dan Reid situation is not indicative of a wider malaise in the US piping scene. I hear stories of games cancelled and bands folding. Let’s stick with it everyone. Piping and pipe bands are an art form and an endeavour much bigger than short term concerns over a few dollars deficit over a few difficult years.

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