Another Northern Winter School at Loheide, Germany, drew to a close last night. There were more than 70 students for piping and drumming. At the conclusion each was presented with an assessment certificate based on their knowledge and ability. Among them was Bogdan a Ukrainian refugee. A good piper, he learned a four-part strathspey, an alien musical format to him, in less than a week, and was able to play…

Only 21 Pipe Majors have won the Grade 1 World Championships title since the competition has been run under the auspices of the RSPBA.  In that time only 14 different bands have won the title as some of them have been led by different Pipe Majors at different times.  These statistics illustrate clearly the extent of the challenge of winning the title, and perhaps also the leadership qualities required.  In…