Category: Bagpipes

The Dynamics of Pipe Band Competition Part 2: On the Day of the Event

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I will now move on to how bands and pipe majors may like to deal with the logisitics and formalities on the day of competition – logisitics and formalities that are all to easy to forget midst the tension and pressure of the occasion. Firstly, have last year’s trophies been returned? This may seem trivial, but you would be surprised to learn of the the number of bands that have…

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Picture Poser Solved/ Solo Contest Round Up: Bratach, Captain John, George Sherriff

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In reply to yesterday’s photograph poser, Donald Mackay, Pipe Sergeant of Scottish Power, was first out of the blocks. Donald writes: ‘This photo was taken in 1999 out in Pakistan. ‘The Pipes and Drums of the 1st Btn The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons & Camerons) were out taking part in Queen’s Birthday celebrations all over the country. ‘The band played at various engagements and functions in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore and…

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Editor’s Notebook: Identify Army Photo/ Donald Morrison Archive/ Miscellany/ SPBA 1938/ MacCrimmon’s Curse

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I found this smart photograph in the PP archive the other day. Can anyone properly identify the pipers, their rank, their regiment and the occasion on which the photo was taken? Obviously somewhere in the tropics. Hong Kong maybe? Donald’s Archive Seona MacDonald has written re the latest articles from her father Donald Morrison’s archive: ‘Thank you so much for providing additional information on dad’s archive material. ‘Your most recent…

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The Dynamics of Pipe Band Competition – Remember, Most Do Not Win Prizes!

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Bands throughout the Northern Hemisphere will soon begin their winter practices for the 2022 season. In eight short months we will have, fingers crossed, the resumption of competition after a three year hiatus. We hope this article will help bands focus productively on what lies ahead…. This article examines the band competition environment. First of all, let’s try and understand the ethos of pipe band competition and why we do…

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Donald Morrison Archive: King George and Bob Brown and an Impromptu Rendition of Lament for the Children

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This is the second part a letter, a copy of which Donald held in his papers. It was from Seton Gordon, is dated January 5, 1973, and was to Col. John McEwing, a piping enthusiast in the US and the man responsible for so much good work in the Pacific North West. He was the original director of the Coeur d’Alene Piping School in Idaho where Donald taught. Seton Gordon…

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