We received this anonymous comment regarding the qualifying set up for Grade 2 bands at the Worlds. ‘One bad/ unlucky performance (on an extra day that you have had to take time off work/ fork out extra for accommodation) and you could be in the only group of adult bands that don’t get to play on the Saturday. Very unfair and very shortsighted from the RSPBA. ‘The requirements of Grade…
The RAF Pipe Band Association (RAFPBA) have sent this: We are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Gray [pictured above] as the new Pipe Major for RAF Central Scotland Pipes and Drums. Michael joins us following a distinguished career which included his position as a Senior Pipe Major at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming. As a former lead instructor at Inchdrewer House, he brings a…
The Vale of Atholl pipe band of the 1980s and ’90s were indeed true originals. Led by Pipe Major Ian Duncan and his famous brother Gordon, ‘The Vale’ pushed boundaries of form, style, content and structure from day one of their arrival in the premier grades. Arguably, the pinnacle of their artistic output was the 1995 concert at Motherwell Civic Centre, ‘Live n’ Well’. I was busy being seven. My…
One hundred and forty pipers and drummers converged on the German city of Bremen at the weekend for the Northern Winter Competition, writes the Editor. Organised by the Bagpipe Association of Germany, it was a triumph of efficiency and balance: camaraderie, fierce competition in equal measure. Piping judges were myself, Barry Donaldson, Peter Hunt and Allan MacDonald. There were solos at every level and quintets for bands. This last worked…
Thanks to reader David Moore for the above picture of Singer Pipe Band, Clydebank. David was mentioned in last week’s article along with two other ex-members, George McEwan and Murdo MacLean. David writes: I knew both George and Murdo well as we all lived in the same area along with many other Singer employees. George and myself played with Pipe Major Maurice Pert at Duthie Park, Aberdeen, in 1970 winning…
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