Anyone who is any doubt about the worth of dressing properly for online piping events should take a look at the judges recital broadcast by the promoters of the USA’s Nicol-Brown Amateur contest.
Right from the off we have the MC Donald Lindsay properly attired, complete with bonnet and Piobaireachd Society tie. Immediately we know that this is a serious cultural event celebrating our shared Scottish heritage and tradition.
There is respect for the endeavour and artistic integrity of the performers. You feel immersed in a piping event of some import. It is the nearest we can get online to the real thing. Check out the recital here (thanks to Catherine Thomas in Brittany for forwarding):
So the formula is simple. As best we can, when we go online we do absolutely everything we would do at a face to face event. Thus, by making sure the only difference is the lack of space sharing, promoters produce a contest as close to the real thing as is possible. And the playing here, by Sarah Muir, Jack Taylor, Patrick Molard and Matt MacIsaac (who should definitely compete more), isn’t bad either.
Reader Dr René Dammer writes from Germany: ‘Only recently I was lucky in getting the reprint of Ross’s Collection of Pipe Music, the 1885 edition.
‘How correct Mr William Ross is in his instructions. He writes, ‘In blowing the pipes the cheeks must be kept firmly contracted, with a smile on the countenance. An easy posture should be maintained without twisting the body, or disfiguring the face.’
‘I feel a lot of teachers are not paying attention to this and many adult pipers are not setting the right example. Living outside of Scotland I follow things reading your articles, watching/listening to live streaming or YouTube videos and I see the risk of health problems.’
Agreed René. I have a chapter on this in my Tutor Book 2 and point to the impeccable posture and dress of the late John D Burgess as seen here:
Major 2021 UK summer events, the Chelsea Flower Show and Edinburgh Tattoo have all announced they will definitely be going ahead but with reduced audiences/ attendances.
This is the sort of early warning we need regarding our major pipe band championships. Tick, tock, tick tock……
We are heading into a long winter with pandemic restrictions varying across the country. Please remember there is lots of stuff on Piping Press to keep your piping interest alive during the dark evenings.
Surf our history pages for example. Whether it is bands or solo piping you are into, there is enough there to keep the most avid reader occupied for many an hour.
There is also an extensive sound archive you can access. What about this lecture by Seumas MacNeill on the life and times of the great Willie Lawrie:
Round the Games in 1975…
Glenfinnan
Piob
1 Jimmy MacGregor, Glenalmond
2 Jimmy McIntosh, Dundee
3 Garth Neel, Manitoba
March
1 Jimmy MacGregor
2 P/M Angus MacDonald, Scots Guards
3 Angus MacDonald, Glenuig
S&R
1 P/M Angus MacDonald
2 Angus MacDonald
3 Malcolm McRae
Mallaig
Piob
1 Jimmy MacGregor
2 John MacDougall
3 Angus MacDonald
March
1 Jimmy MacGregor
2 Angus MacDonald
3 John MacDougall
S&R
1 John MacDougall
2 Angus MacDonald
3 Andy Venters
Jig
1 Jimmy MacGregor
2 John MacDougall
3 Angus MacDonald
Skye Gathering
Dunvegan Medal
1 Jimmy MacGregor
2 John MacDougall
3 Angus MacDonald
Clasp to the Medal
1 Iain MacFadyen
2 Jimmy McIntosh
3 Jimmy MacGregor
March
1 William Livingstone
2 Evan MacRae
3 Iain MacFadyen
S&R
1 Angus MacDonald
2 John MacDougall
3 John Burgess
H&J
1 Angus MacDonald
2 John Burgess
3 Malcolm McRae