Category: News

Insights into Pipe Band Ensemble

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The study ‘Insights into Pipe Band Ensemble’ is dedicated to improving pipe drum ensemble outcomes in both set and medley competition. With a focus on 2/4 march, strathspey, and reel music, the study follows a basic premise that some MSR pipe tunes are so rhythmically compatible with the music of the competition side drum, that their accompanying drum scores almost write themselves, while other MSR tunes are almost impossible to integrate with…

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Northern Ireland Pipe Band & Solo Round Up

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Ballynahinch High School was the setting last Saturday (Sept.27) for the third annual Down Academy Juvenile Solos. The adjudication panel comprised Richard Parkes and David Chesney (piping), and Gordon Parkes (drumming). The Parkes brothers presented the prizes in their respective disciplines. They said a high standard of playing had been on display throughout the day and they were particularly encouraged by the quality of teaching which augured well for the…

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Northern Ireland Piper of the Year/ Caritas Entries

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The Northern Ireland Piper of the year competition took place in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, on Saturday 27th September 2025, writes Ken Stewart. Adjudicators were Logan Tannock and David Caldwell. Pictured above (l-r) with their trophies are winners James Stone, Andrew Nelson and James Frazer. Results as follows: Piobaireachd:     1 Ashley McMichael, MacFarlane’s Gathering2 Kris Coyle, Lament for the Viscount of Dundee3 Alastair Donaghy, Massacre of Glencoe MSR:…

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Review: The Inaugural London Recital

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As pukka piping dos go it would be hard to better the London Recital. Black tie, beautiful room, superb wines, Raasay whisky, and gourmet canapès, and – more important than anything – brilliant piping from the fingers of two of the best, Iain Speirs and Angus MacColl. So here’s how it went. We gathered last Thursday evening in Dover House in Whitehall by kind permission of the Secretary of State…

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Peter Bain’s Bagpipe – Part 2

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I was contacted by the current owner, Peter Aumonier, and a previous student of my great-grandfather’s, Malcolm McRae, writes John Gillies. Malcolm purchased the pipes on behalf of Donald Bain who took them with him to New Zealand after my great-grandfather’s death. Peter and I were able to video call so I was able to see the pipes, a beautiful set of 1908 hallmarked silver and ivory Hendersons, with a unique…

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