New Letter, New Comment

RW: Updates for the site this morning include a letter from Roddy Livingstone of the Scottish Piping Society of London on my report on last Saturday’s competition. Roddy puts the record straight on the JB Robertson March and makes some other valuable points. Read here…. Also, we have an extended piece from Duncan Watson on the Piobaiareachd Controversy article. I believe Duncan makes an important contribution to this discussion, a…

London: B Grade Piobaireachd Review

[easyrotator]erc_75_1413484305[/easyrotator] Scottish Piping Society of London Competition, Nov 1, 2014, ‘B’ Piobaireachd Review By Andrew Wright Competition reports and feedback, as a rule, tend always to centre on the very top level, with lower grade events mostly by-passed other than for the recording of the results. It is, however, at the lower level that the apprenticeship for the top is served, where performing skills are learned and honed toward the…

Gordon Walker Recital

The Blackthorn Pipers’ Society Annual Recital Night 2014, Dromore, Northern Ireland Andy Wilson reports: As a society, this year we welcome one of the world’s most celebrated pipers to our annual recital night. Our guest recitalist this year is none other than Pipe Major Gordon Walker. This will be our third annual recital and one that we are very much looking forward to. Gordon is no stranger to these shores…

Piobaireachd Controversy

Paul Ross, an Australian piper based in Newcastle, New South Wales, has written a lengthy monograph on the controversial subject of piobaireachd interpretation. He endorses Allan MacDonald’s approach, and lauds the recent publication of Donald MacDonald’s books and the MacGregor – MacArthur book by Dr Roderick Cannon.  This article will be of interest to all ceol mor enthusiasts. Read more here.

SPA WW1 Concert

[easyrotator]erc_14_1414056032[/easyrotator] Scottish Pipers’ Association Comunn Nam Piobairean Albannach Pipers and Pipe Music of the Great War Jeannie Campbell reports: Last year the Scottish Pipers’ Association received £7,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for this project researching the lives of the pipers and the music they played and composed during the Great War. The Association is presenting the stories of the pipers and their music in a series of five concerts. The third…