Silver Medal Tunes for 2018 Available for Download/ Grade 3a Band Looking for Leading Drummer

The Piping Press Shop now has a full set of recordings of tunes set by the by the Music Committee of the Piobaireachd Society (PS) for the 2018 Silver Medal competitions at Oban and Inverness.

They are played in full on the practice chanter by Piping Press editor Robert Wallace more or less as published by the Society but with some differences as handed down in oral tradition. These differences are usually, but not always, recorded in the notes to the tunes in the PS collection. By playing along with these recordings the piper may get an idea of the song of the tune and how to link its passages, phrases and variations. Robert strongly advises additional tuition from a qualified tutor for anyone entering these important competitions.

The tunes are Chisholm’s Salute, Desperate Battle of the Birds, Glengarry’s March, Grain in Hides and Corn in Sacks, Lament for the Little Supper, MacCrimmon’s Sweetheart and MacLeod’s Salute. Access the recordings here:

The above picture shows 2017 Silver Medallists at the Argyllshire Gathering and the Northern Meeting, Cameron MacDougall, Nigg, and Stuart Easton, New Zealand. Both pipers now go forward to compete for the coveted Highland Society of London’s Gold Medal presented annually at both gatherings.


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Wallacestone Pipe Band have sent this: ‘Following the departure of former Leading Drummer Stewart Gardener at the end of the 2017 season Wallacestone Pipe band are opening applications from interested parties to take on the role.

‘Following promotion to grade 3A at the end of 2016 Wallacestone has had one of its most successful seasons in the last 20 years, winning the European and UK championships and securing the Champion of Champions title in our grade.

‘Prospective candidates should have Grade 1 experience and ideally have led a drum corps, but this is not essential.

‘Pipe Major Neil Henderson: “This is an exciting opportunity at an exciting time for the band. We have a talented, driven and ambitious band that is only going forward. We want someone with the same traits to come in and drive the drum corps on to future success.”

‘Candidates are asked to send a covering letter through the band website or by email www.wallacestonpipeband.com wallacestonepipeband@yahoo.com by 5th October 2017.

‘Wallacestone Pipe band is recognised as the oldest competing civilian pipe band in the world having been formed in 1887. The band is led by Pipe Major Neil Henderson and is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. In 2016 the band was runner-up at the World Championships and in the Champions table in 3B. The band practice in Grangemouth British Legion just 30 minutes from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.’


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