Category: Features

World Solo Drumming – An Interview with Maestro Jim Kilpatrick MBE

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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…

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New Director Takes Over at the Army School of Piping & Highland Drumming

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The official handover of the Directorship of the Army School of Piping and Highland Drumming has taken place. Major Steven Small, who has served the post with such distinction, has retired after 35 years in the Army and will take up a new job with the Edinburgh Tattoo. His successor is Captain Gordon Rowan who was Major Small’s second in command at Inchdrewer House in Edinburgh, the School’s HQ. Since its…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Former Winners’ Tunes/ Logan’s Publishers/ Uist & Barra History

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Listening to part of the Former Winners’ MSR at the Northern Meeting this year I was struck by the number of comparatively easy tunes some pipers are submitting. All great tunes of course, but is Mrs MacDonald of Dunacht suitable for this level? And whilst I love Donald MacLeod’s music I’m not sure that some of the reels such as Drumlithie are as much of a test as, say, eight parts…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Scottie MacLean/ Gairloch Results/ Brighde Chaimbeul/ Army Contest

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   London and the South branch Chairman Walter MacGregor has sent this regarding the funeral of RSPBA Hon. Vice President Scottie MacLean (left) who passed away two days ago aged 98: ‘Scottie’s funeral service is to be held at The Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Stevenage Old Town SG1 3DB on Tuesday, 11 October 2016 at 1pm. Anyone wishing to send condolences to the family  may do so by contacting  Mr D…

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Northern Ireland’s Blackthorn Pipers’ Society Meet in New Venue

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The new season of Northern Ireland’s Blackthorn Pipers’ Society gatherings, previously held in Dromore, Co Down, got off to a great start last night, 21st September, in a new Belfast city centre venue, the Discover Ulster-Scots Centre in Gordon Street, writes John Kelly.  Grahame Harris, who has succeeded Andy Wilson as the Society’s Secretary, welcomed the piping enthusiasts to the new venue.  Taking part in the great evening’s craic were the main recitalist Kris Coyle…

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