I hope the RSPBA AGM devotes a good bit of time to a serious discussion on band sizes…or at least appoints a working group to examine properly the reasons for the decline in the number of pipe bands in Scotland.
With only six Grade 1 bands and reductions further down the pecking order, this is not something that should be dismissed lightly under the banner ‘it’s all been tried before and didn’t work’. The usual suspects will be rehearsing as I write.
We can contrast these reductions in numbers with the booming band sector in our schools. Hearty congratulations to the Scottish Schools Trust for all their work in this regard. Just look at the figures in our report on last Sunday’s schools championships.
Why is it that so few of these youngsters are making the leap into the mainstream band world? They clearly enjoy the music and the friendship and knocking six bells out of the rival school. Don’t they know they can continue all that by going to their local band?
The bands themselves could do more to attract them. Handout leaflets at the schools championship, have a stall, that sort of thing. The RSPBA could liaise more with the schools trust too, the aim being the creation of a bridge, a progression more kids are likely to follow into the mainstream band world.
Piping Centurions
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Ian Sinclair of the Veterans Piping Society. ‘Sinky’ was an occasional teacher for me at the College and had a nice way with the youngsters. He was a member of the Johnstone band under Craigie Calder and spoke often about Bob Reid’s brother coming down to teach them all those years ago. Ian was 100 years old when he passed away.
Another centurion with College and Veterans connections is Bob McFie. Bob celebrated his 100th birthday last weekend. Another fine teacher, Bob was also instrumental in helping us rebuild the College back in the early 2000s. He put me in contact with the authorities at Stow College in Glasgow. I went along to see them and we signed a contract whereby for a very modest sum we could use their annexe in the west end of the city whilst Otago Street was rebuilt. Happy birthday Bob.
SPA Professional
President Logan Tannock has announced that the entry form for this year’s competition is now available. The competition is on April 11 in the Piping Centre, McPhater Street, Glasgow. Here are the events:
The competition is once more being sponsored by the Piobaireachd Society. Enter here.
Duncan Johnstone Memorial
Huge entry for this competition for B and C grade pipers:
CLASP Results
This competition was held over two days, Friday 6th February and 7th February. Judges: A Bova, A Donlon, Z Knichel, R Livingstone, C MacCrimmon.
G4 Piob: 1 CK Yeung 2 R Johnson 3 M Harper; G4 March: 1 SY Wong 2 CK Yeung 3 A Michaud; G4 S&R: 1 SY Wong 2 CK Yeung 3 R Johnson; G4 Jig: 1 R Johnson 2 S McGuire 3 CK Yeung; Overall: CK Yeung
G3 Piob: 1 M Braunsky 2 E Bregent 3 Ken Allen; G3 March: 1 M O’Donnell 2 C Davison 3 M Braunsky; G3 S&R: 1 E Bregent 2 B Heywood 3 M O’Donnell; G3 6/8: 1 M O’Donnell 2 E Bregent 3 C Davison; Overall: E Bregent
G2 Piob 1 A Kelly 2 L McEwan 3 C Kirk; G2 March: 1 G Harley 2 A Kelly 3 C Couperthwait; G2 S&R: 1 S Thiessen 2 G Harley 3 A Kelly; G2 6/8: 1 S Thiessen 2 G Harley 3 A Robinson; Overall: A Kelly
G1 Piob: 1 CD Mitchell 2 A Bergen 3 B Webb; G1 – March: 1 C Kirk 2 C McNamara 3 CD Mitchell; G1 S&R: 1 B Webb 2 CD Mitchell 3 L Gorsuch; G1 6/8 March: 1 L Gorsuch 2 C McNamara 3 C McIntosh; Overall: CD Mitchell
‘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…