Simon Fraser University Pipe Band have announced a complete sell out for tomorrow’s ‘Pipe Up for Cancer!’ concert in support of leading piper Andrew Bonar.
The band’s website has this info for those attending: ‘Doors to the SFU Theatre will open precisely at 5pm for a 6pm concert start. It is general seating, so come early to get a great seat. As we are completely sold out, we ask that you not leave empty spaces between yourself and your neighbouring concert attendees.
‘Parking for the night has been generously sponsored by Tartantown. Free parking is available to all those who park underneath the convocation mall or in the West Mall Centre (see red arrows on attached map – it is okay to park in these lots on the night despite being for permit holders). Please note that Tartantown Ltd. has subsidized parking for the night in these two lots only. If you park elsewhere you will need to pay for parking to avoid fines. SFU is easily accessible by transit, with the bus loop noted on the campus map.
‘SFU Theatre has been marked on the map by a red box. The location of Club Ilia (for the ceilidh) is marked with a red star.
‘Thank-you for your support as we raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation. We are looking forward to a great night! For those who can not attend, the concert will be Live Streamed here!‘
Those in the UK who want to watch the live streaming should be aware that we are seven hours ahead of Vancouver (eight after mindnight Saturday I think). That would mean watching in the wee, small hours here. Looks like the catch up service is the best option. Click on this link for more info about the concert and to follow the Livestream.
SPA Veterans and Adult Amateur competition at the College of Piping tomorrow to be followed by a fundraising concert featuring Callum Beaumont and Allan MacDonald. The ceol mor starts at 10am and here is the draw: 1. Iain MacDonald 2. Andrew Park 3. Anne Lore 4. Allan Harper 5. Michael Graham 6. Alasdair Morrison 7. Tom Dingwall 8. Gregor McCulloch 9. Michael Parr 10. Walter Gray 11.Allan Dunnachie. Judges are Willie Morrison and Stuart Shedden.
Glasgow Collection:
Aren’t the amateur pipers well catered for these days? The Piping Centre runs its commendable Clasp events (just a pity about the name). This league attracts dozens of amateur pipers who otherwise would not have a platform and a means by which to gauge their progress. The Piobaireachd Society run the annual Archie Kenneth Quaich contest which is so successful that people have to be turned away, though a solution is being sought which would allow everyone a shot at the trophy.
I believe the Glasgow Highland Club continues to have its own competitions for its piping members (and well done to them for continuing to sponsor that handsome medal for the ceol mor at the Uist & Barra) though haven’t seen any publicity for it for some time.
The Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society in Edinburgh resonates with robust health and their well-supported members’ contests are imminent. In passing, can we really continue to describe this friendly organisation as the ‘Jolly Boys’, to use Andrew MacNeill’s cheeky soubriquet? As one wag had it at the PS Conference last weekend, the admission of the fair sex into their ranks now means ‘Jolly Persons’ could be the only suitable nickname for the RSPS.
Still with the national beverage, the Govan Weavers charity has organised a May 1 whisky tasting in the Pearce Institute in aid of Govan High School, HQ of the local piping project. The Weavers’ Tom McNally: ‘We will have an informal virtual tour of the five whisky regions tasting quality drams from each area – our tour guide is Julie Hamilton of Glasgow’s Whisky Club and Glasgow’s Whisky Festival. We’ll have snacks and plenty of water to quench our thirst on top. Tickets are reasonable priced (a steal) at £25.00 each for five of the top malt whiskies in the world with all monies raised donated to Govan High School and the education of the young people of Govan.’
Pipe Band Magazine
An obituary in the local paper on Loch Lomondside recorded the passing of Jock Scott-Park a member of the Glasgow Highland Club and RSPS. It reads: ‘Scott-Park was also a keen piper and as pipe-major he once led the Cambridge University Pipe Band on an Armistice Day parade. Scott-Park piped for the Reel and Strathspey Society at Cambridge and was also part of a Highland dance demonstration team. For many years he piped with the Glasgow Highland Club and the Royal Scottish Pipers. It was fitting that the pipes his son David played at the funeral were the ones his father had at Cambridge.’ Thanks to my old mucker Eck McNair for this. Didn’t know Cambridge once had a pipe band. Any info out there?
A very good response to our guest blogger Duncan Watson’s piece yesterday and just to remind everyone, if you have something you want to write about then a page in pipingpress.com is all yours. Try to aim for a minimum of 500 words. If that’s not your bag then a shorter letter can be posted here. Send all contributions to pipingpress@gmail.com.