On Friday the 30th January, Tobermory High School Pipe Band ran a pipers’ ceilidh in Park Lodge, Tobermory. It was well attended and the school pipers were supported by visiting tutors Barry Donaldson and Robert Wallace, writes Calum Maclean.
The ceilidh ran from 7-9pm and we had a couple of selections from Robert to open; this included a set of two-part strathspeys and reels which was nice to hear. There are some great wee tunes you don’t hear played these days.
Then came an impressive march, strathspey and reel from Barry Donaldson, Major Manson at Clachantrushal, Maggie Cameron and the Smith of Chilliechassie.
The band then played a couple of 3/4 sets followed by a selection from local young champion piper Hugh Anderson who showed great maturity despite his 17 years. It was nice to see his grandfather in the audience listening on. Hugh’s set was very well received and it included another competition MSR – eight parts of Pretty Marion!
A few more tunes from everyone including plenty of jigs, saw the ceilidh come to an end. The finale was a couple of sets all together, a good night had by all.
The next day we held a piping workshop (below) run by Robert and Barry. Barry’s class saw the kids learn some new music and revise tunes that they already knew. They learned some important musical points and styles to work at.
Robert’s class also worked on new music, with revision on tunes already played. He taught piobaireachd to the senior pupils, Melbank’s Salute and Glengarry’s Lament, and gave a lesson on music theory to the younger ones. The day finished off with bagpipe maintenance and tuning.
A great weekend for all the school pipers who attended, lots learned and lots to learn. A massive thank you to both tutors for their time and patience, and for traveling all the way to Mull at this time of year to run the workshop.
Masters Drumming
This was held at the Piping Centre in Otago Street, Glasgow, last Saturday. The winner was Steven McWhirter of Inveraray Pipe Band who placed first in both Medley and MSR, writes the Editor. Steven’s piper was John Dew.
Second overall was William Glenholmes of Field Marshal Montgomery who placed second in both disciplines, and third Jake Jørgensen of Scottish Power who was third in both.
Credit to all the drummers who took part and especially to promoter Cam Lawson who had to find new premises at very short notice after the planned venue, the Centre for Contemporary Arts in the city’s Sauchiehall Street, closed suddenly after the organisation went into liquidation on Friday morning with no prior notice.
As regards the financials, correspondent Ian Forbes expressed the concern of many, writing, ‘I sincerely hope that the organisers of this innovative Masters Drumming competition have not lost their deposit and/or fee for the hire of the Centre for Contemporary Arts.
‘I fear the worst because when any organisation goes into liquidation all monies go under control of the official receiver. It would be a moral outrage if the CCA had been accepting bookings and fees during recent weeks and months, with the knowledge that their finances were in a dire situation and that liquidation was imminent.’
- Entries are now open for the UK Solo Drumming Championships to be held in Cookstown High School, Northern Ireland, on April 17.
John MacKenzie’s Collection – digital book
First published in 1973, this outstanding collection is re-issued here in digital format with kind permission of the late Pipe Major’s family. The book runs to more than 50 pages. It is offered at a nominal price to cover overheads. It contains outstanding melodies such as the 6/8s Tug Argan Gap and MacNeills of Ugadale, the Wedding Waltz, Neuve Chappelle, Joe McGann’s Fiddle, the Saffron Kilt, He-Ro-Hirum and many others. Please note this is a digital download book set for tablet…
