Despite fluctuating weather forecast predictions, it turned out to be a warm, dry night at this week’s Kenmore Games, writes Jen Mackintosh. Even the midgies were kind enough to hold off until nearly the end!
Although a small number of entries, it was a good competition with some fine playing, and judge Ronnie Clark was encouraging in his praise when speaking at the prize giving. Above are the winners pictured with Ronnie (l-r) Gregor MacDonald, Ronnie Clark, Harris Morford
16 & under March: 1 Harris Morford 2 Cailean Acamovic 3 Morla Bruce 4 Oscar Elliott
16 & under S&R: 1 Harris Morford 2 Morla Bruce 3 Cailean Acamovic
16 & under Jig: 1 Harris Morford 2 Cailean Acamovic 3 Morla Bruce 4 Oscar Elliott
Under 25 MSR: 1 Gregor MacDonald 2 Cailean Acamovic 3 Morla Bruce 4 Kieran Porter
Under 25 Jig: 1 Gregor MacDonald 2 Cailean Acamovic 3 Morla Bruce 4 Ben Elliott
Under 25 Medley: 1 Gregor MacDonald 2 Morla Bruce 3 Cailean Acamovic
Johnstone Pipe Band
Grade 1 Johnstone Pipe Band have announced leading tip Gavin Orr is standing down at the end of the season. The band is now looking for a replacement. All enquiries and applications to Pipe Major Donald Mackay at pipemajor.jpb@outlook.com.
The band write: ‘This is a unique opportunity to shape the future direction of the drum corps and work alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence and growth.’
Gavin (pictured) joined the band in November 2022. He said: ‘I am extremely proud of what the band and drum corps have accomplished during my time here. This was a difficult decision, but one I felt was necessary.’
P/M Mackay said: ‘All of us at Johnstone would like to sincerely thank Gavin for everything he’s brought to the band. His leadership, dedication and musicality have played a major role in our development and it has been a pleasure working alongside him.’
BOOK SEARCH
Do you have a copy of this book? Collector Marco Borzacca is offering a good price. Contact him here.
Euro Draw
The European Pipe Band Championships will be held in Perth on August 9. They have attracted a very large entry of 140 bands from around the world, coming as they do a week before the Worlds.
Like the Worlds, the G1 contest is in two disciplines, Medley and MSR. It begins at 12.45pm. MSR draw: SLOT, Closkelt, Boghall, Fife Police, Scot. Power, FM, Inveraray, Manawatu, Johnstone, Shotts, St Thomas Alumni. Medley draw: FM, Inveraray, Manawatu, Johnstone, Fife Police, Boghall, SLOT, St Thomas, Closkelt, Scot. Power, Shotts.
- Band contests tomorrow, July 5, are at Annan and at Londonderry for the All Ireland Championships. There are solo contests at Luss and Forres Games.
10 Tutor Books for Schools/ Bands/ Trade
Ten copies of the celebrated Bagpipe Tutor Books 1, 2 or 3 at a reduced price for trade, bands, colleges and schools. For larger consignments and alternative shipping please email orders to pipingpress@gmail.com.
Book 1 is a concise yet comprehensive piping tutor book which takes the complete beginner throug…
I am quite confused as to why RSPBA did two draws for the European’s at Perth in Grade 1. Can anyone shed light on this?
On any given day of the Worlds, where bands play two disciplines of music, the same draw persists, giving bands equal time to prepare. Here however, this is not the case. There are wide discrepancies in the time between performances for some bands.
Theoretically, the band drawn at the end of the MSR, could have been drawn first in the Medley giving them about 50 mins to reset and go again for what (I hear) is a “draw at the line” medley.
Have I missed something here?
There are both advantages and disadvantages with each of the two systems for playing order when there are 2 band performances on the same day (same playing order, OR 2 separate draws) . However, the RSPBA should have an agreed policy on this (following discussion with bands), and adhere to it, rather than giving the appearance of it being a random and inconsequential administrative procedure.