Thank you to all those who have contributed to the debate over the recently announced changes at the Worlds, the main one being the decision to hold Juvenile and Novice grades on the Friday. I have a few thoughts to share in response. The problem with making the Friday of the Worlds ‘heats’ day – as has been suggested by a number of correspondents – is overseas bands. By the…
One of the highlights at tomorrow’s Piobaireachd Society Conference will be a tune from Duncan MacGillivray. Duncan will be playing on John Macdonald, Inverness’s bagpipe (as above). It will help illustrate my talk on John Shone’s new book on Macdonald entitled ‘Life, Times and Music’. (Available this weekend on the PS webshop.) Duncan got the pipes from his father Donald. Donald was a student of Macdonald’s and the maestro gifted…
I received this anonymous message earlier this week: ‘This segregation of the Worlds is all kinds of wrong. My son plays in the Juvenile grade and says the kids now feel like second class musicians, not worthy of sharing the big day with their adult heroes. ‘It does not happen at other majors and there is no good reason for it to happen at the Worlds (RSPBA ineptitude aside). My…
President Logan Tannock: We are delighted to be able to run the Scottish Pipers Association Professional Competition for 2025 on the 12th of April, and once again held in the National Piping Centre, McPhater Street, Glasgow. The various contests are as follows: P/A Piobaireachd: Donald MacLeod Trophy: 5 places, 3 prizes £100, £70, £40; submit 4 tunes.B Piobaireachd: 5 places, 3 prizes £80, £50, £30; submit 3 tunes C Piobaireachd:…
Atholl Gathering Piping Convenor Jack TayIor: ‘Solo piping entries at the Gathering open today, Friday 14th March. The entry form is here on the Atholl Gathering website. ‘Held on Sunday, May 25th, it is the first outdoor competition of the season and is always busy, so pipers are encouraged to put entries in early. ‘We will try and give everyone the chance to play, but if categories are too big we will have to restrict them on…
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