Pipe band drumming expert Allan Chatto OAM concludes his article (abridged) on how bands can improve drum corps work and ensemble… Snare drum scores should be arranged using motifs and phrases that are all within the capability of the members of the drum corps. There is not much point in including some tricky or catchy phrases that the leading drummer may like only to find some of the snare drummers…

Gilbert Cromie reports…St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band (above) are doing an amazing amount of publicity for the restaging of their ‘Turas Ceoil Resume – Live in Ireland’ concert in Armagh City. Here is an extract from the recent blurb: ‘St. Laurence O’Toole (current Grade 1 UK and Scottish Champions) are taking last year’s pre-Worlds concert to Armagh City Hotel on 27th April this year. ‘The primary purpose of this concert is to…

As announced at the recent RSPBA AGM, ther Association have now formally advertised for applications for the post of Principal of Pipe Band Musicianship. A statement reads: ‘The Board of Directors have considered the structure of the RSPBA Pipe Band College that was approved at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and have agreed to recruit a Principal of Pipe Band Musicianship. ‘A key function of this role will be to promote…

By Allan Chatto OAM This article is abridged from a paper written by the respected pipe band authority Allan Chatto in 1995. Based in Australia, Allan was a leading drummer of renown, adjudicator and pipe band educator of international standing and we are grateful that he has made his paper available to Piping Press readers. The drum corps’ responsibility within pipe band performance is to provide the rhythmic and dynamic…

This annual competition for B and C grade members of the Competing Pipers’ Association was held today at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. Overall winner in the B Grade was John Dew. B Piob1 Finlay Cameron, MacLeod’s Salute2 John Dew, Lament for the Children3 Dan Nevans, Too Long in This Condition4 Matt Pantaleoni, Big Spree5 Kris Coyle, Lament for Mary MacLeod C Grade MSR1 Ryan Cupples-Menendez2 Brodie Watson-Massey3 Donald…