Author: Barry Donaldson

The Dynamics of Pipe Band Competition – Remember, Most Do Not Win Prizes!

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Bands throughout the Northern Hemisphere will soon begin their winter practices for the 2022 season. In eight short months we will have, fingers crossed, the resumption of competition after a three year hiatus. We hope this article will help bands focus productively on what lies ahead…. This article examines the band competition environment. First of all, let’s try and understand the ethos of pipe band competition and why we do…

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Review: ‘The Roke’, A New Music Collection by Ross Miller

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‘The Roke’ is a recent publication of pipe music by the well-known and successful piper, Ross Miller. Ross now hails from Linlithgow and The Roke is the official town tune. Ross, appropriately enough, is the town piper. He has compiled an interesting collection of bagpipe music. He has included compositions both traditional and contemporary, as well as some imaginative new music by himself. By Barry Donaldson The publication coincides with…

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Book Review: ‘Eat, Sleep, Pipe, Repeat’ by Kyle Warren/ Plus Two Other New Books

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The title of Kyle Warren’s new publication of pipe music is certainly original – as is a lot of the music. Kyle (pictured) is well known, having played with Field Marshal Montgomery PB and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. He is also a talented composer of pipe music. This compilation contains an interesting blend of original pieces alongside standards such as Lochanside and Farewell to Nigg, both re-arranged and reproduced…

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Review of Simon Fraser University Pipe Band’s new album ‘Live in Chilliwack’

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Well here we go with my thoughts on this band’s latest album, recorded live during a concert in the town of Chilliwack (British Columbia), in February this year. Thankfully Covid-19 had not impacted Canada at that time otherwise this album would never have been produced – and it is a corker. Pipe Major Alan Bevan has put together an array of pipe band music, 17 tracks including, competition medleys, arrangements…

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Reviews: ‘A MacCrimmon Collection’ and ‘Tutor Book 3 – Piobaireachd’, German Edition

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‘A MacCrimmon Collection of Traditional and Contemporary Bagpipe Music’ A new collection of bagpipe music compiled by Iain and Calum MacCrimmon, the acclaimed father and son pipers, composers and, as I understand, hereditary pipers to Clan MacLeod, has been issued. There are 59 compositions on offer covering the complete spectrum of bagpipe music.  Normally when asked to review a new publication of pipe music, my approach is to sing through…

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