Successful Jimmy McIntosh Piobaireachd Workshop

The 4th Jimmy McIntosh MBE Piobaireachd Workshop was held at Carnegie Mellon University last weekend. We had 42 students, including 17 at open level, which we were delighted with, especially because it was solely a piobaireachd event… and held in a very cold Pittsburgh.  The weekend was organised by the Pittsburgh Piping Society. Instructors were all longtime students of Jimmy’s, Northern Meeting Clasp winners Mike Cusack and Nick Hudson (both travelling…

Mike Cusack Honoured at American Pipe Band Championships/ Wheel of Fortune Result

Virginia International Tattoo American Pipe Band Championship was held last Saturday, April 20, at Scope Plaza, Norfolk, Virginia, in excellent conditions, writes Andrew Carlisle, Artistic Director. Each year at closing massed bands, we like to honour somebody who has dedicated a lifetime to piping, drumming and pipe bands. Previous recipients include giants of piping that are unfortunately no longer with us: Pipe Major Sandy Jones and Jimmy McIntosh MBE. For…

Severe Weather Forces American Pipe Band Championships Indoors

Please find attached the results for the American Pipe Band Championships, held yesterday in Norfolk, Virginia, writes Andrew Carlisle. We unfortunately had to hold the event indoors, inside Scope Arena due to unsafe weather conditions – very high winds, so strong that bike rack / barriers and metal bleachers (seating) were blowing over and tents were taking flight. Later in the day, around the time of the massed bands and results,…

P/M Iain Robertson 1976-2023: A Tribute

It was with great sadness I heard of the passing of my friend Pipe Major Iain Mitchell Robertson. Iain died peacefully at his home in Palmerston North, New Zealand, on Saturday, 14th December, after a long battle with cancer. He was 46. Affectionally known as ‘Robbo’ by most, he was one of New Zealand’s top solo pipers, judges, teachers, and a long-time member and Pipe Major of the Grade 1 New…

Carnegie Mellon University Virtual Solo Piping Championships 2020

All in all, the event went very well. Last year CMU held its first competition which was confined to students at the University. This virtual competition was opened up to all. Being a virtual event, I include video links of the prizewinners in Grade One and Open. We had a waiver on the entry form that gave the University permission to post the prizewinning performances online. By Andrew Carlisle, Professor…

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