I was at the UK pipe band championships in Belfast on 13th June, 2026, where the music was enjoyed by a large crowd. Other arrangements were not so good. The competition was held at the Grove Playing Fields, a very large park with no public vehicle access and very limited access to buses and cars from the surrounding roads. The roads were restricted to basically one-way traffic with ‘only stop…
There have been ongoing comments since my ‘What Price Forgiveness for P/M Gordon Walker‘ essay in October 2023. It has clearly struck a chord with readers. Most have been in agreement with the sentiments contained therein. There have been ‘contributions’ by ill-informed contrarians intent on indulging their prejudices, but nothing worthy of publication. Their arguments all fell at the first level of ratiocination. The Rev. Leslie Barrett, the noted amateur…
Field Marshal Montgomery are the new UK Pipe Band Champions winning today in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in blustery weather conditions. They secured two firsts for piping, a first for drumming, and a third for ensemble. One MSR was required in G1. The other places in the top grade went to: 2 Boghall (3,3,2,1)3 SLOT (2,2,4,2)4 Shotts (4,4,3,4)5 Fife Police (5,5,55)6 Ravara (6,6,6,6) with the drumming going to FM. Judges for…
Dr Jack Taylor, former President of the Piobaireachd Society, has been awarded the MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to music. Robert Wallace, current PS President and Editor of Piping Press, said: ‘There cannot be a more deserving individual in piping. Dr Jack has worked tirelessly for the Society and the music throughout his life and in particular the last several decades. ‘He is currently our Music…
The problem of pupils being judged by teachers in piping competitions has caused much debate and division. For the past few years I have spent quite a bit of time using experiences from judging along with playing, and have formulated a plan which I believe solves these problems. By Colin MacLellan In reality, it is very simple, but perhaps appears less so when committed to paper, because every circumstance must…
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