World Class Instruction at McIntosh Workshop / Latest ‘Talk Piobaireachd’ Session Tonight

Pittsburgh Piping Society (PPS) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) will host the inaugural Jimmy McIntosh MBE Piobaireachd Workshop from February 24-26, 2023. The workshop will be held at the University’s Cohen University Center. Participation is reserved for pipers in competitive Grade 3 and above. Pipers in Grades 4 and 5, and members of the public, may register as ‘observers only’ as space allows. The weekend begins on Friday 24th Feb….

The BBC Responds to the Piping Press Story on the Future of ‘Pipeline’

Following yesterday’s revelation on these pages about the future of Radio Scotland’s ‘Pipeline’ programme we contacted the BBC for a response. To their credit they replied promptly to our query, writes the Editor. A spokeswoman at their Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow said: ‘It is important that we reflect pipe music on our schedules and we remain committed to providing this for our audience.  ‘We are making some editorial changes…

Changes at Field Marshal Montgomery

News coming out of Northern Ireland is that Keith Orr is retiring from his position as leading tip of World Champions Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band. Our information is that he will be replaced by respected soloist and current FMM corps member Gareth McLees (pictured below). Keith has had an outstanding career as Leading Drummer with FMM, partnering P/M Richard Parkes to numerous World Championship wins and countless major titles….

Rumours Surround the Future of the BBC’s ‘Pipeline’ Programme

I hear ugly noises from the depths of the BBC in Glasgow that their piping programme, ‘Pipeline’, could be facing the chop, writes the Editor. A reliable source from the Beeb’s Pacific Quay HQ tells me that the weekly show hosted by Gary West may soon be no more, threatened along with other Radio Scotland stalwarts ‘Jazz Nights’ presented by Seonaid Aitken and ‘Classics Unwrapped’ hosted by singer and broadcaster…

Northern Ireland Report: Ashley and Bradley Star in London/ Certificates Awarded/ Jason at Blackthorn/ Band Fundraising

It was great to see pupils from a number of County Down schools amongst the recipients of the foundation certificates for piping and drumming awarded by the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (NI). The Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, was the setting for this event.  The young people attended as part of a joint tuition programme developed by the Agency and the RSPBANI branch, initially to…