When chatting to Jack Lee before his Talk Piobaireachd presentation this week we rounded on the need for continuous professional development (CPD) among judges and teachers.
It was this that made sessions such as TP so valuable. CPD is common in all walks of professional life and piping should be no different.
Jack’s tunes were the Earl of Seaforth’s Salute and the King’s Taxes. Both I have played and taught for years. Yet there were small things, small ideas from him that caught my attention and further enhanced my knowledge. Piobaireachd is a lifelong study. CPD in action.
Talk Piobaireachd is promoted by the Piobaireachd Society. The Society has a constitutional responsibility for judges. To this end it is running a Judges Seminar in April 19 in Perth. It is open to all judges whether on the SPJA list, the Piobaireachd Society list, or no list at all. The Society’s Music Editor Jack Taylor is the organiser. Contact Jack here.
If you judge piobaireachd, you really should try to attend. CPD and all that.
RSPBA Website
The new site is looking good. Easier to use, the home page highlights the last eight news items from the Association. Easy links to results, registrations etc. Also a full raft of articles on the important history of pipe bands and the SPBA/ RSPBA.
Sensibly, the Association now take advertising with all revenue helping offset expenditure. The traffic on the site during the season is now being taken advantage of commercially.
A few tweaks will follow in the weeks ahead but everyone at Washington Street can be well pleased with their efforts. This new website will indeed make the RSPBA the ‘heart and home’ of the pipe band world.
Band Concert
Gordon Bruce writes: ‘St Columba’s School Piping and Drumming Programme is organising a special evening of music featuring a mini band from Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band.
‘Join us for what promises to be an unforgettable night of outstanding musicianship – the perfect way to kick off the weekend of the Scottish Schools Championships.
‘Details: Friday 6th March, St Columba’s Church, Duchal Road, Kilmacolm; 7pm for 7.30pm; Adults £15; Child £8; Pipe Band Discount £5; this applies to all bands competing at the Scottish Schools in Kilmarnock, and members of any local pipe band. Tickets at the door or here. We would be delighted to welcome you for a fantastic evening of pipe band music.’
Pipe Query
Reader Jack Daly writes from New Hampshire: ‘Having some minor work done on my pipes. Would you like to give an opinion on the maker?’
Difficult to say Jack, but from the brown patch they are probably ebony. The drone tops point toward RG Lawrie but the projecting mounts make me think otherwise. Check the hallmarks on the silver if there are any. Not a true guide as the silver could have been bought in by the maker.’ Any other opinions out there?
Gloria Aicken 1976 -2026
A few days ahead of the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch’s 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner came the sad news of the passing of Drum Major Gloria Aicken, writes Gilbert Cromie.
Gloria started drum majoring at a young age, a hobby she shared with her older brother Alastair. She became a Juvenile World Champion in 1993 as well as winning numerous other prizes during her competitive career. Another notable highlight was her time as D/M with Field Marshal Montgomery.
After retiring from competition in 2007, Gloria became an adjudicator and a memorable occasion in her career was to judge the World Championship with her brother Alastair Patterson. Both are pictured above.
Gloria’s funeral is on Wednesday 25th February 2026 at 11am in the Church of Epiphany, Sicily Park, Belfast BT10 0AG. Donations in lieu of flowers if desired to www.nihospice.org. Andrew Graham, Chairman of the RSPBANI branch said: ‘Gloria leaves an indelible mark on not just our drum majors but on our whole pipe band community. Her loss will be felt profoundly by all those who had the privilege of knowing her.’
‘Highland Bagpipe Music’ by Donald Morrison – digital book
This book was first produced shortly before Donald died in 1988. Languishing out of print, it surfaced in 2021 following contact between Piping Press editor Robert Wallace and Donald’s daughter Sheona. Sheona agreed that it should be offered to the piping public once more at nominal cost, the aim being to preserve her father’s musical legacy. Donald Morrison was the complete piper a fine teacher, composer and soloist. He won the Gold Medal, the Bratach Gorm and many other top…
