Category: Comment

UK Pipe Band Championships: Bands to be Selected at Random for Registration Checks

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The RSPBA have made an important public announcement regarding the UK Pipe Band Championships to be held at Lurgan, Northern Ireland, on Saturday (June 10). The Association is anxious that all bands are complying with their regulations on the registration of pipers and drummers. RSPBA officials will be carrying out random checks during the day and band pipe majors could be confronted as they leave the performance arena. RSPBA Director…

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Sun Belt Contest/ NZ Piobaireachd Composing Contest/ Piping Times Back Issues

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The Sun Belt Invitational Piping Championship returns to Orlando, Florida, on November 11th, 2023, writes Eric Stein. The current list of invitees include: Callum Beaumont (2022 Champion pictured above), Glenn Brown, Bruce Gandy, Nick Hudson, Stuart Liddell, William McCallum, Donald MacPhee, Angus MacColl, Ian K. MacDonald, Alen Tully and Connor Sinclair There are two remaining qualifiers, the overall winners at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and the Masters Invitational at the…

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History: The McAllister Reed Goes to Canada

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The McAllister reed shot to fame with the success of the Shotts band in the 1970s. It consolidated its position in the era of Strathclyde Police’s run of World Championship wins. With stability, volume, projection, it was the reed of choice for many discerning pipe majors. Twenty five year ago a Canadian family swooped to buy the brand. The Troy family have never looked back. Pictured above are the McAllister…

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Editor’s Notebook: Bob Nicol Tunes/ Jimmy Scholarship/ Craig’s Title/ Watson’s Piob Contest/ Eagles Results

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As promised, here are another couple of recordings of Bob Nicol’s light music courtesy Breton piper Patrick Molard. These add to the tunes we had earlier this week. Firstly Delvinside and Lochiel’s Awa’ Tae France: And now Arniston Castle and Charlie’s Welcome: I think we should be concerned that all these old settings of tunes could be lost. Wouldn’t it be a good project for students on the piping courses…

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Piobaireachd Society Approached Regarding Running of Silver Chanter

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There is uncertainty over the future of the prestigious Silver Chanter recital competition. The National Piping Centre has run it for the last five years after taking over from Skye Piping Society. It was initially moved from Skye to the Centre in Glasgow but last year was held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college on the island. The Centre has stated that due to funding cuts they can no longer…

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