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…

Skye Gathering piping competitions will be held on August 6th and 7th and feature six events, Dunvegan Medal, Col. Jock Clasp, Kemble Star March, Peter MacFarquhar Star Strathspey & Reel, 6/8 March and Hornpipe & Jig. Entries for the Dunvegan Medal will be accepted during April & May. The blurb issued by Piping Convenor Cameron MacFadyen reads: ‘The top three performers from each heat (i.e. six competitors drawn from the…

The Secretary of Perth Games, Mr Brian Whyte, has now confirmed the end of solo piping at the popular games, as presaged in the Editor’s article of last week………. Perth Highland Games committee has made the decision to omit solo piping from the staged events for this year. This does not mean that solo piping will not feature in future years, should circumstances change. As you are no doubt aware,…

The premier of a new piping film will take place at the Piobaireachd Society Conference it has been announced. ‘MacCrimmon’s Gold’ is made by Breton film director Gerard Alle and features Patrick Molard and Piobaireachd Society President Dr Jack Taylor among others. The blurb reads: ‘Pioabireachd or Ceol Mor is a musical genre full of spirituality, born in the Scottish Highlands….each of the nine notes of the bagpipe seem to…