Author: Robert Wallace

Editor’s Notebook: Teaching At the Highest Level is the Only Answer to Decline/ Atlantic Canada Challenge

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Michael Grey, the invigorating new President of Ontario’s Piping and Pipe Band Society, lamented on social media the decline of bands and piping in his province. Mike’s bout of mild depression was occasioned by his perusal of an old programme from 1972 of the Canadian National Exhibition Intercontinental Gathering held in Toronto. Ontario then was second only to Scotland in the piping empire. Dozens of bands in every grade. Top…

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Balmoral School, USA/ New Piping & Drumming Teaching Posts/ Antrim Contest This Weekend

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July 17-21, the Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming returns to its roots, hosting 2022’s summer camp at the university campus in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Students can join fellow pipers and drummers for classes on campus, or register for online classes.  The week will include instruction and performances by leading pipers with opportunities for both individual and group instruction, as well as camp-wide activities suitable for all ages and ability levels….

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Editor’s Notebook: Jubilee Pipers/ Lorient Faux Pas/ Ivory Pipes/ Graingers and Reeds/ Donald’s Tune

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I know it was a week ago, but I do not want this column to pass without recognising all those pipers, both military and non, who made their contribution to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Reading reports and watching the ceremonies live, it was clear that we pipers did our bit on what was a uniquely historic occasion. The jewel in our crown was P/M Stuart Liddell whose composition Diu…

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Piping Still Has a Long Way to Go to Achieve the Respect it Deserves

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By Robert Wallace The central problem in Army piping is that pipers are not considered musicians. They are soldiers first. This is not the case with their counterparts in the military bands. They are musicians, front and centre. Pipe Majors are constantly having to justify their existence to unsympathetic senior officers. Come parade time, sure they want to be proud of their Pipes & Drums. That’s different; the world and…

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Silver Chanter Line-Up Announced

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The promoters of the Silver Chanter have sent the following release: The prestigious Silver Chanter competition will make a welcome return to the Isle of Skye as part of this year’s Piping Live! festival. The event, now in its 56th year, is the annual invitational Piobaireachd competition that was established by Dame Flora MacLeod, the 28th Chief of MacLeod, alongside John MacFadyen and Seumas MacNeill, in 1967. The primary purpose…

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