World Solo Drumming & International Juvenile Tenor Solo Competition… Choking on his Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, MacStig was taken aback by the sheer volume of entrants for the Adult snare qualifiers as reported on PP.
The conclusion must be that snare drumming is in great health and the increased numbers in snare lines in the upper grades (10-12 is now normal), is well reflected in the sheer scale of entries for 2017.
It goes even further than that though, with the ‘pre-qualified’ drummers already lined up in the semi finals – if you were a finalist last year, you are already named in one of the two the semi finals. If you won one of the relatively new regional qualifiers, you are already in too. Those are already 19 top-notch drummers.
The arithmetic of it means that the 50 or so in the heats are chasing 18 available places in the semi finals, to join those already on the roster. Within that ’50’ are historical past finalists too, so the odds of making the semi final from three big qualifiers are small.
Multiple World Solo Drumming Champion Steven McWhirter of Inveraray & District will be defending his title and aiming to cap a wonderful year for himself and his band. Last August Steven won the Grade 1 Corps Championship at the Worlds and his band were crowned Grade 1 World Champions
From those 37 semi finalists will emerge 12 finalists, who go through both March Strathspey & Reel and Hornpipe & Jig for a wider judging panel (four judges for each element).
A brief word on judging – there are many of them and they will be scattered over dozens of performances throughout the day. The management of that roster and arriving at the eight who will judge the blue ribbon final is a feat in itself. There are some former World Solo Champions on the bench of course. Also noted is Mr Joe Noble, one such former winner, who will take a seat as one of four to judge the H&J final, having retired as an Adjudicator for band competitions post the Worlds in August.
Many overseas arrivals are expected in Glasgow during the week, and we should warmly welcome competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA across all the grades. A great effort in making the trip, incurring the expense and having a go.
Briefly looking into the Juvenile categories, there are plenty of overseas players and Grade 1 band names mentioned in these under 18, and lower, age groups too – again pointing to the burgeoning teaching programmes and development of young talent in the very top grades. For instance, in top Juvenile section, ‘5 MSR’, 16 of the 21 players are with Grade 1 bands.
Over in the Tenor solo competition, a very healthy field of entrants, approaching 50 or so Juvenile drummers, at different stages in their drumming careers.
A final word for the myriad of pipers who will be standing side by side to their drumming colleagues throughout the week, and on the day itself. The unsung heroes of the event of course. No pressure on them? Not a word of it, they have to be absolutely on the money.
We’ll have a report on the Championships in due course. Over and out.
• The World Solo Drumming takes place at Glasgow Caledonian University on Saturday, October 21 from 9am. The picture up top is of Craig Munro of Wallace Bagpipes playing for Grant Cassidy of St Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band, Dublin.
The promoters of the Balmoral Classic weekend in the US have sent this: Two new events have been added to the 2017 Balmoral Classic schedule, to be held in Pittsburgh, USA, on the weekend of November 17-19. In an effort to attract more young drummers to the pipe band world, the Balmoral Classic will host its first ever Novice Snare Drumming Competition, for entrants 21 years of age or younger. APPLY BY OCTOBER 17 at:
On the following day, Sunday, November 19, from 10am to noon, the Balmoral School will offer a free workshop for pipers on the Silver Medal tunes, with Dr. Jack Taylor of St. Andrews, Scotland. Dr. Taylor is a winner of the Braemar Gold Medal, the Gold Medal in Inverness, the Gillies Cup and the Silver Chanter. He is president of the Piobaireachd Society of Scotland and is a senior judge for Piobaireachd.
Dr Jack Taylor will conduct a class in the 2018 Silver Medal tunes
Highlights of the Balmoral Classic weekend include a Friday night reception, the US Junior Solo Bagpiping and Solo Snare Drumming Championships on Saturday, and a Saturday night concert featuring Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland’s premier fiddle ambassador, and brilliant Californian cellist Natalie Haas. For additional information about the weekend events, please visit our website at balmoralclassic.org.
It is with real sadness that I report the passing of Andrew Bonar who has died after a three-year battle with brain cancer, writes the Editor. Andrew (51) was a brilliant piper with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and on the front rank during their glory years of five World Championship wins under P/M Terry Lee. Andrew is fourth from the left in there picture above.
Andrew was also an accomplished solo piper and later in his career took to studying piobaireachd where he was quickly successful winning the Silver Medal at Inverness in 2010.
I interviewed him after that success and I can honestly say that I have never met a more humble or grateful man. Yet within a few years fate struck and he was diagnosed with his last illness.
Andrew Bonar his young son Cameron (also a piper) and winner Andrew Lee at this year’s BC Indoor Meet
Andrew, an air traffic controller by profession, remained positive throughout his treatment and was buoyed by the many messages of support from throughout the piping and pipe band worlds.
None gave greater support than the pipers and drummers of the SFU Pipe Band. They were with him to the end and it is to their eternal credit that they did all they could to offer him and his family what comfort that was possible in such trying circumstances.
P/M Terry Lee has sent this tribute: ‘Andrew came to the band in 1980 (then City of Port Moody PB) as a lad of 14 years. He still stands as one of youngest to join our pipe corps through the years. Whether in solo or band performance, ‘Boney’ had a real zest and determination for the task at hand. He was always one to take on the biggest jobs – nothing really fazed him. But amid this determination Andrew had a warm personality and was always interested in others; he was a friend to all.
‘He was a gifted performer and feisty competitor. His mind is what set him apart though and he was about as comfortable switching hands, or even playing a tune in reverse (front to back) as he was playing it in conventional mode. These are things most of us cannot even comprehend. He was always pushing boundaries.
‘Being both naturally talented and a hard worker kept him ‘in the hunt’ for prizes for an extended period of time. As a composer and arranger he was of the first rank and the band played a number of his catchy tunes and transpositions through the years.
‘However his other main focus was his family. He was a very proud father with daughter Kate doing very well at Highland dancing and his son Cameron a new and promising young piper. Boney was ‘Captain Facebook’, often keeping others updated with quick wit and results. His mind was never blank – even after his diagnosis – and he was always thinking and working on the next thing to be done. We thank him for his unsurpassed contribution to the band and for the friendship and kindness he showed to all who knew him.’
Andrew is survived by his wife Jeanette and children Kate and Cameron to whom we offer sincere condolences. Andrew’s name will live on in competition and wherever and whenever bagpipes are played in British Columbia and in the wider world. RIP my friend.
The Northern Ireland Piper of the Year contest takes place in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, tomorrow. The piobaireachd starts at 12 noon and the MSR at 7pm. All are welcome. Judges are Angus MacColl and David Caldwell and the hosts Kenny Stewart and Chris Stewart.
In the PP archive picture above a youthful Angus is photographed through the window performing at the now unfortunately defunct John MacFadyen Memorial Trust Lecture. The lecture was a showpiece event and used to be held every spring in the historic surroundings of Stirling Castle.
Also in the picture are that year’s lecturer, history professor Allan MacInnes, Trust Chairman, the late Alasdair Milne, and Trust Secretary Neil Fraser, Head of BBC Radio Scotland from 1987 -1992 and a leading Gaelic activist. I think this must have been in the late 80s but perhaps someone can give me a more accurate date. Read about Alasdair, former Director General of the BBC, here.
More up to date, here are last year’s winners at the NI Piper of the Year:
Stay tuned for results when we get them.
From Piper Press of May 1999: ‘The Scottish Pipers Association proved once again that open piping competitions are not impossible to run if they are properly graded and organised. Their 1999 event was an object lesson in how to carry this difficult task off. The contest began at 10am and finished at 6.30pm. There were 58 pipers entered, 36 in the ‘B’ grade piobaireachd. The number of young professionals recently out of the amateur ranks who seized this opportunity of making their mark among the big boys was significant. Innes Smith took the ‘B’ Piobaireachd and March, and Simon McKerral the Strathspey and Reel.
‘Other notables among the ‘B’ list were Niall Stewart, Andrew Hall, Allan MacColl, James Johnston and John MacPhee. In the senior events William McCallum won the overall and the member’s trophy with Greg Wilson taking the Former Winners MSR and the Strathspey and Reel. Stuart Shedden continued his good form with second in the ‘A’ Piobaireachd, and Leslie Hutt must surely now be given his place in the Gold Medal list following his third prize.
‘Competition chairman was Dr Leslie Craig and the judges were Ronald Morrison, James Young, Donald MacPherson, Angus J MacLellan, Hugh MacInnes and Joe Henderson. Congratulations are due to Glasgow Academy for providing the SPA with premises free of charge, the Competing Pipers Association for helping with the stewarding and to the SPA themselves for continuing to provide an open platform for the aspiring professional.
Prizewinners at the SPA in 1999 with Chairman Leslie Craig. In the picture are (left to right): Peter Hunt, Gordon Walker, Niall Stewart, Greg Wilson (NZ), Iain Speirs, William McCallum, ?, Stuart Shedden, Dr Craig, Andrew Hall, Simon McKerrall and Innes Smith
‘A’ Piob: 1 William McCallum, Lachlan MacNeill Campbell of Kintarbert’s Fancy 2 Stuart Shedden, Lament for Captain MacDougall 3 Leslie Hutt, Rory McLoude’s Lament 4 Brian Donaldson, MacDougall’s Gathering Former Winners MSR: 1 Greg Wilson 2 Brian Donaldson 3 William McCallum March ‘A’: 1 Gordon Walker 2 Michael Gray 3 Peter Hunt S&R ‘A’: 1 Greg Wilson 2 Iain Speirs 3 Michael Gray ‘B’ Piob: 1 Innes Smith, Corrienessan’s Salute 2 Niall Stewart, Wee Spree 3 Andrew Hall, Donald of Laggan 4 Donald Campbell, The Groat March ‘B’: 1 Innes Smith 2 James Johnston 3 Allan MacColl 4 John MacPhee S&R ‘B’: 1 Simon McKerral 2 Allan MacColl 3 James Johnston 4 Innes Smith
All of the judges on the benches that day have now, sadly, passed on, but memory serves well. Donald MacPherson would quietly mention when his pupils were playing, and thus, rather than relegate himself to the lower contests, was able to give the top players the benefit of his expertise and knowledge – and the contest the status it deserved.
Pipe Bands Australia have confirmed the following as office bearers for the next two years:
President Chris Earl (re-elected unopposed)
Secretary Steve Patterson (re-elected unopposed)
Treasurer Tim Bodey (re-elected unopposed)
Committee: College representative Tony Bidgood (re-elected unopposed) and James Cowie
College principals Tony Bidgood (drill and dress), Dean Hall (drumming) and Jamie Forysth (rules and administration) were re-elected unopposed and Brett Tidswell was re-elected principal piping.
There is great work being done for piping and drumming by the South West Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy. Building on a tradition established by John Cowan, Walter Cowan (pictured instructing above), Alfie Geddes, Ian Clowe, Jim McConnachie and the late Tony MacDonald, the South West Scotland Piping & Drumming Academy is forging ahead with a programme of tuition which is sure to produce many top-level players if not champions in their own right. Here is the latest from the Academy Chairman Andrew McCartney:
Andy McCartney
We are now teaching in 10 schools throughout Dumfries and Galloway, plus we have an invitation to address pupils and parents at the new high school in Dalbeattie when it opens next month. This involves the school itself and four attached primary schools.
We have a working weekend planned for both pipers and drummers from Friday 12th until Sunday 14th January 2018, in conjunction with the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. This will culminate with a concert in the local parish church in Kirkcudbright on the Sunday afternoon, and will feature the NYPBofS and some of our own young students.
The weekend will be mainly for residential students, but local students will be able to attend on a daily basis as accommodation is limited. The concert in Kirkcudbright on the Sunday will be open to anyone and admission will be free.
SWSPDA piobaireachd instructor Bill Geddes gives an impromptu recital at a workshop at Barfil Farm
Our 2018 Summer School is scheduled to be held, once again, at SRUC Barony Campus near Dumfries from Sunday 8th until Friday 13th July. This is for both resident students and local students attending on a daily basis.
The South West of Scotland Piping & Drumming Academy Juvenile Competition for piping and drumming is scheduled to be held in Locharbriggs Primary School (venue to be confirmed) on Saturday 29th September 2018.
Monthly piobaireachd workshops are scheduled to re-commence later this month and will be held in the classrooms at Barfil Farm, Crocketford, by kind permission of Bob Lee and Maggie Gordon.
Any wannabe pipers or drummers are welcome to contact me on my mobile 07754 326746 or home telephone 01556 502722. Very many thanks for your help with all this.
The SWSPDA have negotiated free entry to the Glenfiddich Piping Championship for their students and are laying on a bus for the occasion. The blurb: ‘The Championships start in Blair Atholl at 10am on Saturday 28th October. A free bus will be provided, leaving from Dumfries at around 06:30! Time to be confirmed. Limited places – to register an interest, contact Helen Keron on swspda2@gmail.com.’
Local schools teacher Callum Moffat of Scottish Power Pipe Band. Callum, from Lockerbie, has contributed greatly to the upsurge in piping in the south-west and works closely with the Academy. Callum is a prize-winning solo piper in his own right
SWSPDA’s purpose is straightforward. We aim to raise the standard of, to increase participation in, and to raise enthusiasm for piping and drumming in the South West of Scotland. We will work with pipe bands and schools and directly with individuals giving bagpipe lessons. We will draw on the entire piping and drumming community to find the best tuition for those in our region who wish to make their music the best it can be.
The kinds of things the music institute can do include organising tutoring workshops and our summer school, encouraging and supporting tuition in schools and arranging performances and events. In future, as funds allow, the Academy aims to provide financial assistance such as scholarships, bursaries and travel grants.
In addition, the Academy seeks to bring the region’s piping community together by providing a communications forum and network for pipers and drummers and pipe band leaders.
The SWSPDA as an organisation consists of a Strategic Board of all Trustees to which a Management Board reports. The Management Board is in charge of the day-to day running of the Academy and consists of the Chair, the Vice-Chair and the Leaders of each of five Working Groups – ‘Administration’, ‘Tutoring’, ‘Schools’, ‘Summer School’ and ‘Social Media’.
We regret to report the passing of P/M Robert Kilgour late of the Scots Guards. P/M Kilgour died at his home in Edinburgh.
Bob Kilgour was born in Edinburgh in 1924 and in 1940 he received a practice chanter for his birthday and started to learn piping thus, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. He joined the Scots Guards in 1944. He attained the rank of Pipe Major of the 2nd Battalion (1962) before leaving the Army in 1966. He moved to Denmark in the early 1970s and had a significant impact n the development of piping and pipe bands in that country before moving back to Scotland.
P/M Bernard Bouhadana of the Grade 2 Balagan band said: ‘I was very sad to hear that Bob had died. He was one of my important teachers. He made a huge contribution to piping in Denmark.’
Former Scots Guardsman Neil Clarke said: ‘Saddened today to learn of Bob Kilgour’s death. I never knew him in the Scots Guards, he was several generations before me. I did meet him a few times through the Scots Guards Pipers’ Branch and found him a true gent and very likeable man.
‘What’s perhaps amazing is that he outlived so many contemporaries who also thought of him as an ‘old guy’
Well done Bob, privilege to have met you.’
Bob in full SG P/Ms rig
Hear about Bob’s life in his own words on this excerpt from the ‘Noting the Tradition’ series on the Piping Centre’s website.
Noah Morrissette of the South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy: Hello, I hope everyone has had an outstanding summer and competition season…unless you’re in South Florida. Competition season in Florida takes place during the winter and spring months.
The South Florida Pipe and Drum Academy is five full days of world-class pipe and drum instruction. In the past we have had the academy run from Wednesday to Sunday. This has worked, but we find ourselves overlapping with Highland Games somewhere in the state. This year we are trying a new format: Monday – Friday! I know, pioneers, right?
Our academy will take place February 26th to March 2nd, the week prior to the South Florida Highland Games in Fort Lauderdale. This academy has grown from day one, and has sold out the last 2 years. This year we are looking to keep the school the same size, and planning on selling out yet again. The cost of the school this year is $450 prior to January 1st, and the price will go to $500 on January 1st. As always this includes lunches, beverages, and evening entertainment. This year, we will also include an embroidered polo shirt in the cost of the class. Registration is now open!
From the PP photographic archive comes this historic shot:
Can anyone guess the names, the occasion and the approximate year? Star prize to the first correct answer.
Whilst noting the sad passing of P/M Andy Donaldson a couple of weeks ago we coincidentally received this fine 3/4 march named for another hearty son of the Cardenden coalfield, drummer Alexander Brown. Eck is now the drum instructor for the Scottish Tradition Piping School in Calgary, Alberta, and the tune was written by the Principal there Ken Rogers. It’s a nice melody and deserves to be heard more: Here’s how it goes:
That other great son of Cardenden, P/M Bob Shepherd, tells me that things couldn’t be busier at his pipe and reed making factory in the Kingdom. With Douglas and James Murray, Brian Lamond, Allan Russell, Jimmy Banks, Robert Barnes, Bob’s factory and a host of other individuals and bands what a great centre of piping Fife is – not forgetting the legacy left by P/M Andy Donaldson through his teaching and his sons Andy and Brian.
Alastair Campbell, Secretary of the Inverness Piping Society has sent notice of a piping recital by Fred Morrison (pictured top). It’s on Saturday 25th November 2017, Tulloch Castle Hotel, Dingwall; 7.30pm for 8.00pm. Tickets available on the door. All members of the public welcome. For further information: www.invernesspipingsociety.co.uk invernesspiping@gmail.com
Whilst we’re on a history pic roll here’s one of Freddie from the early 80s playing at the Uist & Barra Professional with Ronald Lawrie judging and Bob Hardie’s head just visible to his left:
One of North America’s leading amateur competitions, the 35th Nicol-Brown Amateur Invitational Piping Competition, was held on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in the First Reformed Church of Scotia, Scotia, NY.The picture above shows all 10 competitors, the three judges, and the founder of the contest, Donald Lindsay (far right). Picture courtesy Ursa Beckford.
Judges: Ian K. MacDonald, Whitby, Ontario, Andrew Lee, Surrey, British Columbia and Ben McClamrock, Baltimore, Maryland. Masters of Ceremonies: Donald F. Lindsay and Daniel Cole.
Overall Nicol-Brown Championship
1. ALISTAIR BEVAN (21 points)
Prizes: air fare to compete in London in November 2018, sponsored by the New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival; an McC2 pipe chanter with a custom-designed sole, donated by McCallum Bagpipes, and pipe bag donated by Lee & Sons Bagpipes.
2. LAUREANO THOMAS-SANCHEZ (18 points)
3. CHARLIE MORRIS (8 points, Piobaireachd Preference)
4. TORI KILLORAN (8 points)
Ben McClamrock (judge), Andrew Lee (judge), Laureano Thomas-Sanchez winner of the piobaireachd), Alistair Bevan winner of the MSR and 6/8 Marches and Ian K. MacDonald (judge). Picture courtesy Ursa Beckford
Robert Nicol-Robert Brown Chalice for Piobaireachd
1. LAUREANO THOMAS-SANCHEZ (Lament for the Earl of Antrim) 2. ALISTAIR BEVAN (The Groat)
3. BEN MONTROSS (Lament for Captain MacDougall)
4. CHARLIE MORRIS (Lament for MacSwan of Roaig)
5. GAVIN MACKAY (Lament for the Viscount of Dundee)
William Ross Challenge Targe MSR Competition
1. ALISTAIR BEVAN (Donald MacLellan of Rothesay, Dorrator Bridge and Peter MacFarquhar)
2. TORI KILLORAN (Pap of Glencoe, Cabar Feidh and Alick C. MacGregor)
3. LAUREANO THOMAS-SANCHEZ (John MacColl’s March to Kilbowie Cottage, Cameronian Rant and the Smith of Chilliechassie)
4. CHRISTIAN RHOADS (Mrs Duncan MacFadyen, Fiddler’s Joy and Major Manson)
5. CHARLIE MORRIS (Verna Leith’s Wedding March, Susan MacLeod and Mrs MacPherson of Inveran)
World Solo Drumming & International Juvenile Tenor Solo Competition…
The promoters of the Balmoral Classic weekend in the US have sent this: Two new events have been added to the 2017 Balmoral Classic schedule, to be held in Pittsburgh, USA, on the weekend of November 17-19. In an effort to attract more young drummers to the pipe band world, the Balmoral Classic will host its first ever Novice Snare Drumming Competition, for entrants 21 years of age or younger. APPLY BY OCTOBER 17 at: 
