Category: Comment

RSPBA Announce Online Summer School/ New Teaching Deal From Balmoral/ Composing Project Deadline

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The Association is happy to announce the launch of its Annual Summer School for 2021, writes John Nevans. The School opens on Monday 2nd of August 2021 and closes on Thursday 5th of August 2021 and will be an online event open to all of our Association members.  Broadly, the school is aimed at: pipers, snare drummers and bass and tenor drummers. The school’s focus is on the individual, the…

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Douglas Murray Stands Down at Fife Police

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Announcement from the Leadership Team of Police Scotland Fife Pipe Band: ‘Regrettably we announce that Pipe Major Douglas Murray has informed the band of his decision to step back as Pipe Major, but will remain as a playing member to support transition of leadership. ‘P/M Murray has led the band since July 2013 establishing its reputation for excellence in music and achieving regular top six finishes in major championships in…

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Editor’s Notebook: Medals Find/ Bands and Piobaireachd/ EUSPBA Go Ahead/ Set Tunes

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Reader Robert Baker in Australia writes: ‘I recently secured two piping medals at auction in the UK. They mention the Lorn Ossianic Society and the ‘Loch Lubnaig Gathering’. ‘These very interesting pieces are now on their way to me in Australia. Once I receive them, further research will have to be undertaken. ‘I also picked up a ‘Silver Star’. I will keep you updated as I will eventually will find a…

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RSPBA History: The Hallmark of a Solo Piper is Piobaireachd, But What Use Does it Serve Pipe Bands?

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We continue with our look back at the history of the RSPBA as described in an edition of the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association, demonstrates the misguided thinking which set the Association’s attitude to classical pipe music for 40 years, an attitude only overcome relatively recently. As ever, Mr Whitelaw is refreshingly outspoken, and…

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The SPBA’s Post-War History: The Problem With Massed Bands and With Teaching

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We continue with our look back at the history of the RSPBA. This is from the Piping, Drumming and Highland Dancing Journal of 1949. The author, Mr RC Whitelaw, was appointed Secretary of the then Scottish Pipe Band Association in 1948. Mr Whitelaw was refreshingly outspoken in his assessment on how the Association needed to develop. The photo below is of the massed bands at Cowal in 1950. Before passing…

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