P/M Robert Mathieson and the History of Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band

The highlight of World’s Week this year will be the concert ‘Rise’ to be given by the 2015 World Champions, Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band (above). To set the scene, and help everyone appreciate the history of this iconic band, we are running an interview from eight years ago when they celebrated their centenary. Editor Robert Wallace is in conversation with the then Shotts P/M Robert Mathieson, now a…

PP Ed’s Blog: Niall Fundraiser/ Piob Contest/ New Band Contest/ Winnipeg Collection

Niall West of Glasgow Police Pipe Band has sent this: ‘Hello friends present and future, family, colleagues and others. On 21 May I’m cycling 81 miles around Highland Perthshire in the Etape Caledonia for funds for the Glasgow Police Pipe Band, the Govan Schools Piping project and the Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust. Please see my story and please pledge some money by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/niall-west. P.S. I won’t be cycling in the kilt (on this…

Winners of Original Piobaireachd Composing Competition Announced

Jori Chisholm, Seattle, is the winner of the Original Piobaireachd Composing Competition sponsored by the California-based Shasta Piping Society and the Burley Bagpipe Company, British Columbia. Under anonymous cover, Jori’s tune was the unanimous choice of the judges Mike Cusack, Texas, Bill Livingstone, Ontario, and Robert Wallace, Glasgow (Chairman). Jori receives £500 ($650). He is pictured above. Runner up was Dave Mason of South Africa who receives £250 ($325) with John Bottomley, Director…

More Details of New England Pipe & Drum Academy

New England Pipe & Drum Academy committee member Bruce Landay has sent this from Massachusetts:  As in past years, I want to remind everyone that the New England Piping & Drumming Academy will be held at the Adelynrood Retreat in Byfield, MA, June 16-21. On the piping side, faculty will include Rob Wallace, Matt Pantaleoni and Donald McBride.  On the drumming side, we are fortunate to have Tommy Johnston for the…

Australia Solo Pipe Band Drumming Championship

Pipe Bands Australia has today announced that the biennial Australian Solo Drumming Championships will be held in Canberra in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Canberra College of Piping and Drumming will host this year’s championships as part of its annual solos competition on Sunday 8 October following the 7th annual Canberra Highland Gathering the previous day. The solos will be held in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial, one of…