Why Ensemble Matters in Pipe Band Adjudication

Having previously contributed a number of articles about pipe band ensemble in the RSPBA’s quarterly magazine when I was an ensemble adjudicator and also deeply involved in adjudicator training, the Editor of Piping Press asked me for my thoughts on a suggestion made recently that it is now perhaps time for this type of adjudication to be abolished due to ineffective adjudication. I am a strong supporter of ensemble adjudication…

114th Annual Maclean Highland Gathering – New South Wales

The 114th annual Maclean Highland Gathering took place over the 2018 Easter weekend in the northern New South Wales town of Maclean on the picturesque Clarence River. Pipers and pipe bands from the length of the east coast of Australia came together to attend the longest running Highland gathering in Australia. The weekend culminated in a sell out recital from international guest judges Richard Hawke and Emmett Conway. Open grade pipers compete…

THE PIOBAIREACHD SOCIETY RECOMMENDED SET TUNES FOR 2019 (Updated)

The Piobaireachd Society recommends the following lists of tunes for competitions in 2019. Check below for comments on the tunes. Ronald MacShannon, the Music Committee member responsible for co-ordinating the selections, has issued these tunes:  A. SENIOR COMPETITIONS The Finger Lock PS 1, K The Bells of Perth PS 2, K Donald Gruamach’s March PS 2, K Scarce of Fishing PS 3, K The Daughter’s Lament PS 6, K Lament…

British Columbia Pipers’ Association Annual Indoor Meet (Updated)

The British Columbia Pipers’ Association Annual Indoor Meet was held last weekend with much of the day and the awards ceremony livestreamed. This ceremony included a tribute to the late Andrew Bonar and other BC Pipers’ members who had passed on during the year, with members of the pipe corps of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band performing the whole of Andrew’s Silver Medal winning tune, the piobaireachd ‘I Gave…

Latest Edition of Pipe Band Magazine Now Available

The April 1, 2018 edition of Pipe Band Magazine is now available as a free download courtesy of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.  Articles include a report on the recent AGM which saw Vice Chairman John Hughes installed as Chairman. John takes over from Gordon Hamill after his seven distinguished years at the RSPBA helm. A feature on changes at the World Solo Drumming states: ‘……There are several subtle…