Category: Features

Insights into Pipe Band Ensemble

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The study ‘Insights into Pipe Band Ensemble’ is dedicated to improving pipe drum ensemble outcomes in both set and medley competition. With a focus on 2/4 march, strathspey, and reel music, the study follows a basic premise that some MSR pipe tunes are so rhythmically compatible with the music of the competition side drum, that their accompanying drum scores almost write themselves, while other MSR tunes are almost impossible to integrate with…

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Northern Ireland Pipe Band & Solo Round Up

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Ballynahinch High School was the setting last Saturday (Sept.27) for the third annual Down Academy Juvenile Solos. The adjudication panel comprised Richard Parkes and David Chesney (piping), and Gordon Parkes (drumming). The Parkes brothers presented the prizes in their respective disciplines. They said a high standard of playing had been on display throughout the day and they were particularly encouraged by the quality of teaching which augured well for the…

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Review: The Inaugural London Recital

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As pukka piping dos go it would be hard to better the London Recital. Black tie, beautiful room, superb wines, Raasay whisky, and gourmet canapès, and – more important than anything – brilliant piping from the fingers of two of the best, Iain Speirs and Angus MacColl. So here’s how it went. We gathered last Thursday evening in Dover House in Whitehall by kind permission of the Secretary of State…

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Peter Bain’s Bagpipe – Part 2

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I was contacted by the current owner, Peter Aumonier, and a previous student of my great-grandfather’s, Malcolm McRae, writes John Gillies. Malcolm purchased the pipes on behalf of Donald Bain who took them with him to New Zealand after my great-grandfather’s death. Peter and I were able to video call so I was able to see the pipes, a beautiful set of 1908 hallmarked silver and ivory Hendersons, with a unique…

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‘Return from the Battlefield’ Recital/ All Ireland Solos Results

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Inverness Piping Society are starting their recital programme at Inverness Golf Club on 3rd October,  with ‘Return from the Battlefield’, featuring Duncan MacGillivray and Dougie Pincock, both former members of the Battlefield Band folk group and exceptional pipers in their own right.  Duncan was the first piper with the Battlefield, joining them in 1979, and recording several albums with them whilst touring all over the world. By Les Hutt A serious…

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