PP Editor’s Blog: Corby Games/ German Results/ Inverness Games/ Film Gig

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Forty years ago I was at Corby, in Northants, for the World Pipe Band Championships (yes, the fated we wuz robbed event). Last weekend saw me back there almost to the day to judge the solo piping.

Thanks to the influx of steelworkers in the 50s and 60s, Corby has a strong Scottish heritage, and a few thousand turned out for the games and pipe band competition. Before proceedings got underway I had a chat with RSPBA adjudicator Cameron Edgar. Cameron was at Corby as part of his pipe band ensemble training. At the moment he is confined to judging piping but next year, all things being equal, he will have the ensemble string to his bow.

A sentiment with which we would all agree
A sentiment with which we would all agree

Cameron was on that trip to Corby 40 years ago too. He reminded me that his band, Red Hackle, had shared a plane down with Muirheads. The day after the championships we flew out to Toronto for the CNE Tattoo and the Intercontinental Championship which I thought the Hackle had won but he wasn’t so sure I was correct on the year.

No matter; no time for further pondering – the solo contest had to start. It was a mixed bag with some good playing from the two professional pipers on show, James Stewart and Roger Huth, but I am afraid the performances in the Adult Amateur and Juvenile classes left a lot to be desired.

Not enough work is being done on the basics. Youngsters are being shoved into uniform and on to the street way before their time and the consequence is that the fingering is nothing short of, how can I put this, extremely disappointing. Later one pipe major admitted that this is what he does just to get the band on parade. Far better said I, to have a year off waiting until the pipers are up to the mark.

There is good teaching in the south of England but there needs to be much more; this is perhaps something that the RSPBA branch might like to address.

Professional champion James Stewart
Professional champion James Stewart

As I said, the playing in the professionals was of a good standard with quality instruments from Roger and James. Unfortunately P/M Huth got caught in a considerable downpour and this seriously affected his performances. His MacFarlane’s Gathering was an enjoyable tune however, just needing more pointing in the pendulum variation, and more time on the high A theme notes in the T & C. The winner of all pro events, 6/8 march, MSR, H&J and Piobaireachd, was Jimmy Stewart. His MacKay’s Banner was very competently played and would certainly have been in contention for a prize at the games in Scotland. Good, clean finger, nicely balanced pipe and well phrased melody.

Caught in the rain....P/M Roger Huth
Caught in the rain….P/M Roger Huth

Jimmy’s pupil, Cameron Park, won all the Adult Amateur contests and was the one beacon of correctness in this class. In the bands the major honours went to RAF Halton under P/M Iain Westgate. The Scots Guards Association (South) under P/M Steve Duffy won the Grade 3 Medley and the MSR. I wonder where they get that rather odd setting of Peter MacLeod’s ‘Conundrum’ from?

The sun came out for the massed bands (pictured up top) and a large audience cheered on the winners. All in all a good day out in the south, well marshalled by Branch Chairman Walter MacGregor.

Results from Germany:
Bagpipes Association Germany Pipes and Drums Competition at the International Highland Games in Angelbachtal, Germany.

Adjudicator:
Drumming: Jim Baxter – Scotland
Piping: Willy Garrett – Northern Ireland

Ratings:
Grade 4
3rd Place – Clan Pipers Frankfurt, Germany
2nd Place – Pipes and Drums of Basel, Switzerland
1st Place – MaClaren Pipe Band, Holland

Grade 4 MSR
1st place – Pipes and Drums of Basel, Switzerland

Grade 3
3rd Place – Claymore pipes and drums Munch, Germany
2nd Place – Heidelberg and District Pipes and Drums, Germany
1st Place – Odenwald Pipes and Drums, Germany

Grade 2
1st Place – Odenwald Pipes and Drums, Germany

Open Grade
3rd Place – Heidelberg and Pipes and Drums, Germany
2nd Place – Claymore Pipes and Drums, Germany
1st Place – Odenwald Pipes and Drums, Germany

Inverness Games this Saturday, 18th July, are back at Bught Park after a few years in the grounds of Eden Court Theatre. The piping contests at the games are run by Inverness Piping Society.
http://www.invernesspipingsociety.co.uk/inverness-games.html

This year they have an under-15 March competition, under-18 MSR and  Piobaireachd, plus Senior Piobaireachd, MSR  and Hornpipe/Jig.

Details:

The Junior Piping Competitions will consist of :

  1. under 15 Competition – competitors play one 4-part 2/4 March of their own choice in front of an adjudicator.
  2. under 18 Competition – competitors play for the adjudicator a four-part 2/4 March, four-part Strathspey & four-part Reel set of their own choice with no breaks between tunes (straight through). This judged as one competition.
  3. A Piobaireachd competition whereby competitors submit one Piobaireachd of their own choice to be played in front of an adjudicator.


Registration for Junior Pipers opens at 10.00am

The Junior Piping Competitions start at 10.30am

The Senior Piping Competitions will consist of :

  1. March, Strathspey & Reel Competition whereby competitors submit for selection by the adjudicators three Marches, threeStrathspeys and one Reel.  The chosen set is played straight through.  This is judged as one competition.
  2. Piobaireachd Competition whereby competitors submit threePiobaireachd for selection by the adjudicators.
  3. Hornpipe & Jig Competition in which competitors play to the adjudicators their own choice of tunes, one of each.  This is judged as one competition.

Registration for Senior pipers opens at 11.00am

The Senior Piobaireachd will start at 11.30am

Filmaker Arthur Gay has sent this: My name is Arthur Gay and I am a filmmaker based in  New Zealand. I am currently in pre production for a short drama I will be filming around the Glasgow area at the end of this month. During our story there is a crucial scene where our two characters are met by a funeral procession with bagpipes playing. It is a really beautiful scene and we feel it is really important to make it happen with someone playing authentically as the sound produced is so stunning!  I am looking for a piper who would be interested in playing for us during one of our scenes. I was wondering if you perhaps knew of anybody that might be interested. Unfortunately because of our budget we cannot offer much but of course we would credit anybody in our credits and offer our unconditional gratitude.The story is about two sisters HANNAH and GINA as they make their way from their rural hometown to the big city to see Gina off at the airport. The film intimately explores a close yet troubled relationship between the two sisters. Gina is blind and for many years has been dependent upon Hannah’s help and support. Hannah has always been in the shadow of her dependent older sister but does not know how to come to terms with her sister’s departure and what this means for their new-found independence – When Gina Leaves Hannah will be for the first time ever, completely alone.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this

Kind Regards, Arthur Gay +64 2102456140, Epsilon Films

 

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