Category: Features

My Tune for P/M Richard Parkes of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band

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A couple of weeks ago the editor mentioned on his blog a new piobaireachd that had been composed by piper, adjudicator and professional reedmaker Donald MacPhee. The tune commemorates the remarkable achievements of P/M Richard Parkes of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band and here Donald gives us the background to his composition….. Many thanks for your kind thoughts on the tune. The story behind it: I was a piper in Field…

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PP Ed's Blog: Inveraray PB/ BB Exhibition/ Pipers' Persuasion/ Judges Poll/ Jubilee March

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I hear Inveraray Pipe Band are to pipe in the New Year on BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay television show. It caps off a great year for the band after they were crowned World Champions on Glasgow Green last August. Add to that the fact that P/Sgt Alasdair Henderson won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting and Leading Drummer Steven McWhirter the World Solos and you can see that the band…

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Alistair Bevan, British Columbia, Wins Top Canadian Amateur Contest

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Bob Worrall reports: The 22nd George Sherriff Memorial Invitational wrapped up on Saturday night (Nov 18).  A great day all round with terrific performances from the 10 competitors.  Further details are on the contest website:  www.georgesherriffinvitational.com . The Overall Champion was Alistair Bevan. Alistair [main picture above] is the son of SFU P/M Alan Bevan, the noted double Gold Medallist. There were three different winners in the individual events so prizes…

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Judging Dilemma – When is it Time to Call it a Day?

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At what age should a judge retire? In the pipe band world this is set at 75. After that, irrespective of your health, it is time to hang up the clipboard. No more standing in the rain listening to 30 Grade 4b performances and other such delights these dedicated professionals have to endure on the bands’ behalf. No, it’s straight into the armchair with a bag of peppermints and re-runs…

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Northern Winter School in Germany Comes to a Successful Conclusion

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So that is the third annual Northern Winter School over and we are now travelling home, writes the Editor. I think it would be fair to say it has been a success and Principal Ronnie Bromhead has already booked his premises for the next few years ahead. The picture above shows students and instructors.Many of the students have expressed a wish to have a weekend refresher course a few months…

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