Category: Comment

Review – Grade 2 at the 2017 UK Pipe Band Championships, Belfast

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There may have been some turbulent arrivals into both Belfast airports early on, and the young stars of the future in the novice grades probably faced the cloudiest and most inclement elements of the day, writes our Special Correspondent. A brightening sky and warming breeze blew the clouds out of Stormont and the cricket field was at its best as lunchtime arrived. Grade 2 started at 2.30pm in Arena 2,…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Old Pipes v New/ Gordon McCready/ Strathallan School/ Drumlough PB

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I read the other day that according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences an extensive study has shown that audiences actually prefer the sound of newer violins over those made by master craftsmen such as Antonio Stradivari. Violin acoustics expert Professor Claudia Fritz, of the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, asked seven world famous soloists to play at concert halls in Paris and…

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UK Championships Picture Gallery/ Cadet Pipes & Drums Contest Report

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We are grateful to photographer John Kelly for these shots from Saturday’s UK Pipe Band Championships held at Stormont, Belfast. In what was a very successful day, local band Field Marshal Montgomery of Lisburn were placed first in Grade 1 – and they also took the drumming title. Leading drummer Keith Orr and P/M Richard Parkes are pictured above.  Scottish bands were to the fore in Grade Two with the…

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UK Pipe Band Championships Results – Updated

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The day at Stormont started gloomy but by the afternoon the sun came out making it all change for pipe majors who had anticipated cold and damp conditions. In Grade 1 Field Marshal hit back with a first prize win on their home turf. Inveraray were three points behind with SLoT a further six points adrift. Good showings from Scottish Power, Fife Police and Shotts. Particularly pleasing for FMM will…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Support for Piping/ UK Championships G1/ Practising Indoors/ 214 Trophy

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It’s all election politics here in Scotland; everything changes then nothing changes. We all thought when the Scottish National Party ascended to power ten years ago piping and pipe bands would be front and centre in their culture and arts policy. We were right not to hold our breath. I say again: have a look at the way regions in France (Brittany) and Spain (Galicia/Asturias) treat their national music with…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Support for Piping/ UK Championships G1/ Practising Indoors/ 214 Trophy