Texan Piper Mike Cusack has accepted an invitation to join the Piobaireachd Society’s prestigious Music Committee.
Mike, pictured above, is a double Gold Medallist and winner of all the major piobaireachd prizes some many times over. He recently retired as Head Master of St Thomas’s Episcopal School in Houston and still plays with the school alumni pipe band.
He is the second North American to join the committee. Jack Lee, British Columbia, also a world-renowned professional piper, joined the committee in 2021.
Others on the committee are Alan Forbes, Peter McCalister, Ronald MacShannon, Jack Taylor, Robert Wallace and Bill Wotherspoon.
The Committee’s duties include recommending tunes for the annual piobaireachd competitions at the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting, and researching and revising material for the Society’s publications.
Annual Conference
The Society has announced that its 2024 Annual Conference will be held from March 22 – 24 in the Royal George Hotel, Perth.
Suggested conference topics include Ceòl Mòr Composition, Piobaireachd in North America, and the Founding of the Piobaireachd Society.
The Society, a registered charity, will again subsidise the Conference with lunch, light refreshments and conference fees waived for overnight attendees.
Three young professional pipers, Andrew Ferguson, Luke Kennedy and Brodie Watson-Massey have been invited to play at the March 23rd Annual Dinner, a black tie affair.
The Conference is open to all and day visitors (small fee) are welcome. Bookings for the weekend can be placed here. Fees are £200 for a single room and £300 for a double. This covers two nights bed and breakfast, and lunch and dinner on the Saturday.
Summer School
The Piobaireachd Society Summer School of Ceòl Mòr, now in its third year, will be held at the Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the isle of Skye from June 2 – 7, 2024. Instructors are PS Music Editor Dr Jack Taylor and Robert Wallace, Society President.
A single room B&B and all meals is £495. For two sharing a twin room the cost is £395 each. Students only pay for meals and accommodation. Tuition is free. Places are limited so early booking is recommended. A deposit secures your place. Book here. The School is only open to PS members. Join here.
