Category: Piobaireachd

Canada and US wins at the 2021 Balmoral Classic US Junior Solo Piping & Drumming Championships

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The 15th Annual Balmoral Classic, featuring the US Junior Solo Piping & Drumming Championships, were held on November 13/14 beginning on the Saturday morning with piobaireachd contests streaming via YouTube. The winners Cameron Bonar and Sebastian Arguelles are pictured above. This was the second Balmoral Classic that was online, remote and virtual. Scheduling and logistics were intensive and very competently organized and executed by Sean Patrick Regan, Program Coordinator; Leslie Clark,…

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History: Scottish School Exams in Piping

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Around fifty years ago the Institute of Piping met to formulate a plan that was transform the teaching of piping in Scotland. The Institute aimed to petition the Scottish Education Department to have the bagpipe accepted as an instrument in music exams. The Institute had been formed by the Piobaireachd Society, the College of Piping and the Army School of Piping act as an examining body for the bagpipe. It…

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Editor’s Notebook: Winter School/ Angus MacKay/ Brighde at COP/ Oldest Band/ Roddy Cannon

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We are well into the 2021 Northern Winter School here on the plains of Lower Saxony and as I write the music mingles with forests and fields that have borne witness to the best and worst of human conduct. In this little corner of Lohheide over 50 piping and drumming students banish the pandemic memories, learn their rudiments and re-kindle old friendships. The format is, as ever, hard work in…

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Donald Morrison Archive: A Letter from Sheriff JP Grant, Rothiemurchus

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As a young man in his 20s Donald Morrison, South Uist and Aberdeen, was determined to make a name for himself in piping. He communicated by letter with some of the noted individuals of the day. This article is from a letter Sheriff JP Grant, Rothiemurchus, Piobaireachd Society editor and judge, wrote to Donald in 1957. Forthright and instructive, it makes compelling reading …. Dear Donald, To answer all your…

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My Tribute to Balvenie Medal Winner John Wilson

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This tribute was given in person at the Glenfiddich Championship held at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, on October 30, where the writer was Master of Ceremonies….. The Balvenie Medal is awarded annually at the Glenfiddich Championship to recognize a lifetime contribution to piping. It’s the giving back, selflessly giving of one’s self, that is the key criterion for the awarding of this prestigious medal. If I may use a term…

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