City of Whitehorse Band Removed from Membership of Pipe Bands Australia

Pipe Bands Australia have today issued the following statement regarding the City of Whitehorse Pipe Band: The PBA-retained solicitor on the City of Whitehorse matter has today communicated the decision of National Council made on 13 October 2016 to the band and to registered players of the band.  The following statement will be issued by PBA on our communications channels and also to international associations with whom we have an…

PP Ed’s Blog: World Drumming/ NickHudson/ Seton Gordon and Ceol Mor

We were pleased to be able to bring readers news of the livestream of the World Solo Drumming during the week. It is something that pipe band enthusiasts have been pushing for since last year. Contrary to what people might think, the RSPBA and their co-organisers Glasgow Life, actually listen to what the pipe band public wants, and, if technically and financially feasible, will act. Tomorrow’s World Drumming Adult Final…

Top Piper Queries Tune Selection Comments By the Editor

Top professional piper Alex Gandy from Halifax, Nova Scotia, has written regarding a recent blog post by the Editor concerning the selection of tunes for Former Winners’ MSR contests….. Alex wrote: I wanted to get a little clarity on what maybe the judges are looking for with regard to tune selection, as it appears you weren’t 100% enthused with Mrs. MacDonald of Dunach. I’ve played the same marches two years…

World Solo Drumming – An Interview with Maestro Jim Kilpatrick MBE

Saturday sees the RSPBA’s World Solo Drumming Championship being held in Caledonian University in Glasgow. As a warm up for that event, and as a possible assist to competitors, we run the following interview with master drummer Jim Kilpatrick MBE, the record winner of the top title, and now retired after a wonderful pipe band and solo drumming career. The interview comes to us courtesy the Association and their official magazine…

PP Ed’s Blog: Breton Pipers/ Craigmount Contest/ SPA Recital/ Angus Nicol

Grateful to Patrick Molard for this: Here is the report as it appeared in the Breton magazine ‘Ar Soner’ with a clipping from the Oban Times:  Read Patrick’s letter here. Craigmount Caledonia Pipe Band have confirmed their annual junior competition will be on December 3. Unfortunately this clashes with the Shotts & Dykehead Junior Piping and Drumming contest the same day. Here is the poster for Craigmount: We may find that…