Month: November 2016

Senior Figures Weigh In With Opinions on Judging Ruling

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One does not wish to belabour the issues raised yesterday, but I do want to highlight the views articulated so well by Bill Livingstone and which may have been missed by some. Bill wrote: ‘I completely endorse Rab’s comments, and made my views known to the SPJA [Solo Piping Judges Association]. I believe that Rab himself let them know his views and I believe as well that Malcolm McRae and…

More Senior Figures Weigh In With Opinions on Judging Ruling

Promoters Under Pressure as New Judging Association Wields Its Power

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It remains to be seen how the draconian ban on judges joining a bench when their pupils are playing, imposed last week by the Solo Piping Judges Association, will work in practice. It is up to the promoters affected – Oban, Inverness and London – to run with this dictat if they are so inclined. They would be wise to pause and draw breath. It is already very difficult for them to…

More Promoters Under Pressure as New Judging Association Wields Its Power

PP Ed’s Blog: QOH/ Major Gordon/RSPBA Regradings/Taking of Beaumont Hamel

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We are always keen to promote and publicise Army piping and drumming and especially those who work so hard in maintaining this pillar of the piping establishment. Part of that support comes in recording the history of the various regiments and their Pipes & Drums. The above photograph is from the Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons) Collection and the caption tells us that it was taken at Tidworth in…

More PP Ed’s Blog: QOH/ Major Gordon/RSPBA Regradings/Taking of Beaumont Hamel

Famous Pipers: Master Composer, P/M John McLellan, Dunoon

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The recent WW1 commemorations brought to the fore some of the outstanding compositions by P/M John McLellan Dunoon. P/M McLellan was one of the truly great composers of pipe music with a host of melodies to his name, melodies that will endure as long as bagpipes are played. Just look at this sample list of masterpieces: The Road to the Isles (various names before being taken up by the sangsters and…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Live in Ireland/ Angus Nicol/Wallace Success/ RSPBA Results/ South Florida

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The Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA have sent this: ‘Live ‘back’ in Ireland 87 Concert at Belfast Waterfront Hall –  30 years ago, the soon-to-be World Champion Pipe Band, Toronto-based, 78th Fraser Highlanders performed and recorded the now-legendary ‘Live in Ireland’ concert. An all-star cast of guest players along with many of the original performers are once again coming together, for the final time, to celebrate the music of…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Live in Ireland/ Angus Nicol/Wallace Success/ RSPBA Results/ South Florida