Category: Letters

PP Ed’s Blog: Pipe Band Anger/ PB Mag/ Braemar/ SPA/ Dunedin/ Letters

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Apart from running Pipe Band Magazine for the RSPBA and reporting on competitions, I have no direct involvement in the pipe band competition milieu. I am essentially on the periphery – the best place for the fourth estate in that fraught world. It was not always so given that I learned piping via the pipe band system in the Boys Brigade and later graduated to Muirhead & Sons at age…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Pipe Band Anger/ PB Mag/ Braemar/ SPA/ Dunedin/ Letters

‘Big’ Donald MacLean and Arm Swapping and Harry’s Father’s Pipes

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I read George Taylor’s letter re swapping arms, writes Duncan Watson. Re Donald Maclean. I understood that big Donald did start playing under the right arm and to conform with others in the pipe band scene in the Army he was ‘instructed’ to  switch to his left arm. Counter marching through pipers in a band seemed to a problem with cords getting in a tangle. The late Willie MacDonald (Benbecula) could…

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PP Ed’s Blog: Duncan Johnstone/ Preston Lodge/ Reay Mackay/ Letters/ Paddy’s Day

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Tomorrow sees the Duncan Johnstone competition for B & C Grade pipers honouring the memory of ‘the piper’s piper’. The contest is held in the Piping Centre in Cowcaddens so get along to hear some good playing if you are in Glasgow. Results as soon as we get them. Here is the playing order: Lee Moore: Please find attached the programme for the East Lothian Solo and Miniband Competition tomorrow at Preston…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Duncan Johnstone/ Preston Lodge/ Reay Mackay/ Letters/ Paddy’s Day

PP Ed’s Blog: Piobaireachd Conferences/ Shotts Concert Tickets Going Fast

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Jim Stack has sent information about the EUSPBA’s ‘Piobaireachd Conference’ to be held in New Jersey on the weekend of March 31 – Apr  2 when the main speaker will be Dr Angus MacDonald. Events take place in the Madison Hotel, Morristown, and include a ceol mor and an MSR contest. A weekend ticket is $100. Contact Jim for more info. Please don’t confuse the above with the Piobaireachd Society…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Piobaireachd Conferences/ Shotts Concert Tickets Going Fast

PP Ed’s Blog: Florida/ 277 Pic/ Picture Poser/ Ardrossan Games/ RSPBA Summer School

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Heading home now after five solid days of teaching in Florida. Think we progressed the cause of piping and drumming another few notches. Good crowd at the closing concert and everyone looking forward to next year when we plan to incorporate a band and solo contest into the Academy’s roster. In order to maintain a high teacher/ student ratio we capped the numbers at just over 40 this year but…

More PP Ed’s Blog: Florida/ 277 Pic/ Picture Poser/ Ardrossan Games/ RSPBA Summer School